Skip to content

Qualcomm Uses Cortex A72 Cores in Midrange Chipsets

ARM announced its new mid range 64 bit SoC lineup today which includes new Snapdragon 415 and Snapdragon 425 in 400 series and Snapdragon 615 and Snapdragon 625 in the 600 series. The surprising thing is that Qualcomm is using the new high end Cortex A72 architecture, which was announced couple of weeks ago in mid range Snapdragon 600 series chipsets.

image

Cortex A72

Cortex A72 is a high end core architecture which was publically announced couple of weeks back. These cores were expected to replace Cortex A57 cores in Snapdragon 800 series chipsets including the successors of Snapdragon 810. Cortex A57 offered 1.9 x boost as compared to Cortex A15 and Cortex A72 offers 3.5 times performance boost as compared to Cortex A15, along with better power efficiency.

image

Snapdragon 810 includes 4 Cortex A53 cores and 4 Cortex A57 cores, now Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 and 620 will have 4 cortex A53 cores at 1.2 GHz and 4 cortex A72 cores at 1.7 GHz and 1.8 GHz respectively. Snapdragon 618 will have 4 cortex A53 cores coupled with 2 Cortex A72 cores at 1.8 GHz.

As you can see one cluster of Cortex A53 cores in Snapdragon 615 has been replaced with Cortex A72 cores.

Recommended: Galaxy S6, The Next Samsung Flagship Phone will not use Snapdragon 810 Processor

MediaTek Pressure?

Looks like MediaTek pressure on Qualcomm is mounting up in mid range segment, where all smartphone action as shifted. MediaTek has launched low cost MT6732 and MT6752 to challenge Qualcomm’s 64 bit Snapdragon 410 and Snapdragon 415 respectively and Qualcomm is stepping up the came with new improved mid range SoC with powerful Cortex A72 cores.

The new Snapdragon 600 series SoCs will bring dual channel memory (similar to Snapdragon 800 and 801), full HEVC hardware encoding and decoding (Snapdragon 810 feature) and new series of GPUs. Looks like MediaTek will be focusing more on Mid range SoCs rather than high end Snapdragon 800 series this year too.

Snapdragon 415 and Snapdragon 425

image

Both these SoC adds four extra Cortex A53 cores to Snapdragon 410, but the main highlight is much needed GPU replacement. These new SoCs will replace Adreno 305 with Adreno 406 GPU. Adreno 306 was a power efficient replacement for 32 bit Android 305, but with power efficiency some performance was compromised. The new Snapdragon 400 series chips also have a new, more efficient modem.

All of these SoCs are expected to ship in consumer devices in the second half of 2015

Key Specs

Chipset Snapdragon 415 Snapdragon 425 Snapdragon 620 Snapdragon 618
Cores Octa Core Cortex A53 up to 1.4 GHz Octa Core Cortex A53 up to 1.7 GHz Octa-Core – Quad 1.8GHz ARM Cortex A72 + Quad 1.2GHz A53 CPUs Hexa-Core – Dual 1.8GHz ARM Cortex A72 + Quad 1.2GHz A53 CPUs
Modem Integrated X5 LTE Integrated X8 LTE Integrated X8 LTE Integrated X8 LTE
GPU Adreno 405 Adreno 405 Next Gen GPU Next Gen GPU
Display HD Displays supported FHD Displays supported QHD Displays supported QHD Displays supported
ISP Single ISP Dual ISPs Dual ISPs Dual ISPs
Video Playback 1080p playback at 30fps with native HEVC, FHD 1080p H.264 capture 1080p playback at 30fps with native HEVC, FHD 1080p H.264 capture 4K playback at 30fps with native HEVC, FHD 1080p H.264 capture 4K playback at 30fps with native HEVC, FHD 1080p H.264 capture
nv-author-image

Deepak Singh

The Author spent a significant chunk of his formative years resisting technology. He now keeps an eye on where the world is heading to, and drives a passive pleasure from this indulgence. His passion to write, learn and improve drives him each day. When his day ends, he enjoys the pleasant languor and detoxifies with family. You can connect with him on and Twitter