Qualcomm recently unveiled the Snapdragon 6s Gen 4, aiming to rewrite the definition of an affordable smartphone chipset. However, at the start of 2025, the company also launched the 6 Gen 4, also targeting the budget audience. To see how they stack up against each other, we've done a benchmark comparison between Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 and Snapdragon 6 Gen 4. Let's dive in.
Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 vs Snapdragon 6 Gen 4: AnTuTu Score
| AnTuTu Benchmark | Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 | Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 |
|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu Score | 805,947 | 894,500 |
| CPU | 320,362 | 354,180 |
| GPU | 115,629 | 163,828 |
| Memory | 147,096 | 180,883 |
| UX | 222,860 | 195,609 |
Starting with AnTuTu, the Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 scores 805,947 points, trailing behind the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 which scored of 894,500 points. That's approximately an 11% lead. The gap is most noticeable in the GPU department, where the 6 Gen 4 scored significantly higher (163,828 vs 115,629), indicating better gaming performance.
Interestingly, the Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 that we tested on the Moto G57 scores higher in the UX department, suggesting a smoother everyday experience despite the raw power difference. This could be due to the 6s Gen 4's core architecture overworking even during regular tasks, providing more power than needed, which is usually an overkill for functions like scrolling through the app list. Besides using Samsung's 4nm process, this behaviour might also contribute to lower efficiency.
Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 vs Snapdragon 6 Gen 4: Geekbench Score
| Geekbench 6 CPU | Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 | Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Single-core | 1,013 | 994 |
| Multi-core | 2,876 | 3,082 |
In the Geekbench 6 CPU test, the Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 posted a single-core score of 1,013 and a multi-core score of 2,876. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 on the Oppo K13 achieves 994 in single-core and 3,082 in multi-core.
This reveals that the lower-end 6s Gen 4 actually edged out its sibling in single-core performance, likely due to a higher clock speed on its prime cores. However, the 6 Gen 4's superior architecture allowed it to dominate in multi-core tasks, making it better for heavy multitasking.
Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 vs Snapdragon 6 Gen 4: CPU Throttling Test
| CPU Throttling Test | Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 | Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Score | 325,289 GIPS | 275,326 GIPS |
| Average Score | 273,893 GIPS | 260,458 GIPS |
| Minimum Score | 259,580 GIPS | 214,754 GIPS |
| Throttling Percentage (Higher is better) | 81% | 85% |
In our 15-minute throttling test, the Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 throttled to 81% of its max performance. While slightly less stable than the 6 Gen 4 (which held at 85%), it actually achieved higher peak and average GIPS scores. This suggests the 6s Gen 4 has a higher "burst" performance potential but might generate more heat or pull back faster under sustained load compared to the 6 Gen 4, which is a tad steadier.
Besides, the 6s Gen 4 outperforms 6 Gen 4 in all three aspects, achieving a maximum score of 325,289 GIPS versus 275,326 GIPS. This suggests better sustained performance capabilities when pushed to its limits.
Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 vs Snapdragon 6 Gen 4: 3DMark Score
| 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Stress Test | Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 | Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Best Loop Score | 781 | 968 |
| Lowest Loop Score | 775 | 964 |
| Stability | 99.2% | 99.6% |
The 3DMark test shows us the biggest difference between the Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 and Snapdragon 6 Gen 4. The latter is fundamentally more powerful graphically, with the best loop score of 968 points, compared to the 6s Gen 4's 781 points. That is a roughly 24% advantage in raw graphical horsepower.
However, both chips demonstrated excellent stability, meaning neither will suffer from noticeable frame drops during long gaming sessions. They are consistent, but the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 simply operates at a higher tier of performance.
Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 vs Snapdragon 6 Gen 4: Speedometer 3.0 Score
In the Speedometer 3.0 web browsing test, the Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 scored 7.43, slightly outperforming the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4's score of 7.07. This aligns with the Geekbench single-core results, where 6s Gen 4 is snappier for basic tasks like browsing and UI navigation thanks to the ARMv9 cores.
Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 vs Snapdragon 6 Gen 4: Benchmark Gallery
Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 vs Snapdragon 6 Gen 4: Specs Comparison
| Specs | Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 | Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Process Node | Samsung 4nm (4LPX) | TSMC's 4nm |
| CPU | 8-core Kryo CPU | 8-core Kryo CPU |
| CPU Cores | 4x 2.4 GHz (Cortex-A78), 4x 1.8 GHz (Cortex-A55) | 1x 2.3 GHz (Cortex-A720), 4x 2.2GHz (Cortex-A720), 3x 1.8 GHz (Cortex-A520) |
| GPU | Adreno 710 GPU | Adreno 810 |
| Storage and Memory | UFS 3.1, LPDDR5X memory, Up to 3200MHz | UFS 3.1, LPDDR5 up to 3.2 GHz |
| NPU | Hexagon NPU | Qualcomm Hexagon NPU |
| ISP | Dual 12-bit ISP, 200MP photo capture, 2K HDR video at 30 FPS | Qualcomm Spectra Triple ISP 12-bit |
| Modem | Snapdragon Release 16 5G modem, Peak download speed up to 2.9 Gbps | Snapdragon 5G Modem-RF |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4 | Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4 |
Verdict
The naming is confusing, but the results speak for themselves. Overall, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 is the superior chip for gamers and power users, offering significantly better GPU performance and modern architecture. However, the Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 is still pretty good.
If you're a casual user who prioritises a snappy UI and doesn't play heavy games, a phone with the 6s Gen 4 might feel faster in daily use. However, for longevity and gaming, the 6 Gen 4 remains the king of the series.
