Qualcomm unveils Snapdragon 7s Gen 4

Qualcomm releases a modest upgrade to its mid-range Snapdragon 7 lineup, balancing minor performance gains with new display capabilities.

Qualcomm announces Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 with faster CPU and GPU

Qualcomm has unveiled the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, a mid-range chip built on a 4nm process. It keeps the same 1x3x4 Kryo CPU layout as the previous generation, with a prime Cortex-A720 core clocked at 2.7GHz, up from 2.5GHz. The other cores run at 2.4GHz (performance) and 1.8GHz (efficiency). The Adreno GPU delivers a roughly 7 percent uplift, but the hardware jump remains modest overall. The company still leans on AI features as a selling point, even as the core design stays steady.

An important addition is support for ultrawide displays up to 2900 by 1300 pixels at 144Hz. While this may not transform most phones soon, it could matter for future devices that push larger screens or emulation gadgets. Qualcomm notes there is no move yet to its Oryon CPUs in midrange chips, and the 7s Gen 4 is positioned as a steady upgrade ahead of the flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite 2. The 7s Gen 3 already saw some North American presence; this new model aims to extend that mix with a cautious, price-conscious approach. AI talk remains present but not dramatically different from the prior generation.

The upgrade reads as a company choice more than a breakthrough. In a crowded midrange market, a 7 percent improvement is enough to feel meaningful in daily use but insufficient to redefine the category. Qualcomm is signaling a strategy of steady improvements while delaying a jump to its more ambitious Oryon cores in this segment, betting on efficiency and display capabilities to keep devices current.

Consumers will weigh speed against price, and manufacturers will decide how much extra value to add with AI features. The 144Hz ultrawide display support could broaden how midrange phones are used, especially in gaming and media. Still, the real leap in this era is likely to come from flagship models, not midrange chips, so buyers should calibrate expectations accordingly.

Highlights

The slow march of midrange progress keeps buyers watching price and feature sets.