MediaTek Helio G99 vs Snapdragon 4 Gen 2: The battle for the Midrange is on
MediaTek took an early foothold in the Midrange market by quickly sending out the Helio G99. However, can the G99 hold up against the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2?
Navigating the midrange smartphone market can be quite overwhelming, especially for those who are unfamiliar with deciphering SoCs (Systems on Chips). This is the exact reason why this series strives to offer guidance. Come along as we explore a deep comparison between the MediaTek Helio G99 and the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2.
The Helio G99, the older of the two SoCs, is a rebranded version of the MediaTek Helio G96. Positioned as an upper midrange SoC, it offers a commendable balance between price and performance.
Favored among mid-range devices, the Helio G99 powers numerous popular smartphones like Tecno Pova 4 Pro, Tecno Pova 5, Tecno Camon 20 Pro, Poco M5, Samsung Galaxy A24, Realme 10, Realme 11, Infinix Zero 20, Infinix Note 30, and more.
On the flip side, we have the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, announced in June 2023. Despite the "4 series" name, indicating entry-level status, this SoC boasts upper midrange performance, as you'll soon discover.
In contrast to the Helio G99, the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 isn't as widely embraced by smartphone manufacturers. Currently, it's primarily featured in a limited number of Xiaomi phones like the Redmi 12 5G and the Poco M6 Pro 5G.
With both SoCs categorized as midrange, let's now dive into how they compare against each other.
Helio G99 vs. Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 - Full Spec comparison table
Performance Comparison: Helio G99 vs. Snapdragon 4 Gen 2
When it comes to launching and running apps, overall smartphone speed, smoothness, and fluidity, the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 takes the lead. Its 2 ARM Cortex A78 cores outshine the A76 cores on the G99, particularly for handling apps and running the operating system.
Performance: 4 Gen 2
Gaming Comparison: Helio G99 vs. Snapdragon 4 Gen 2
In the gaming department, the Helio G99 boasts a slightly better GPU (Mali G57 MC2), but the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 shines for two main reasons. First, game developers optimize for Adreno GPUs, and second, the more powerful A78 CPUs on the 4 Gen 2 contribute to enhanced gaming performance.
Gaming: 4 Gen 2
Cameras and Video Capability
Both SoCs support a maximum camera resolution of 108MP and can record 1080p videos at 60fps. However, the 4 Gen 2 excels in image and video processing (Spectra/Hexagon), surpassing the capabilities of the Helio G99.
Cameras & Video: 4 Gen 2
Media Features
In terms of storage and media capabilities, the newer 4 Gen 2 stands out. It supports faster UFS 3.1 storage and LPDDR5 RAM. On the other hand, the Helio G99 supports UFS 2.1 and LPDDR4x. Phones equipped with the 4 Gen 2 enjoy smoother multitasking and overall performance.
Media: 4 Gen 2
Connectivity Comparison
In connectivity, the advantage is clear. The 4 Gen 2 supports 5G, while the Helio G99 is limited to 4G. Even when comparing 4G capabilities, the 4 Gen 2 (LTE Cat. 18) offers faster connections compared to the G99 (LTE Cat. 13).
Network speeds: 4 Gen 2
Battery Efficiency
The 4 Gen 2 utilizes a 4nm (Samsung) process, while the G99 uses a 6nm (TSMC) process. Despite recent criticism, Samsung's 4nm process still outperforms TSMC's 6nm process. Phones featuring the 4 Gen 2 should experience improved battery efficiency and better temperature management.
Battery life: 4 Gen 2
Conclusion
The clear winner of this comparison is the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2. It outperforms the Helio G99 in all aspects. However, this doesn't mean the G99 is lacking; the 4 Gen 2 is simply superior.