Snapdragon 685: A Midrange Mainstay

Hailing from Qualcomm, the Snapdragon 685 belongs to the lower midrange category of SoCs. It serves as an evolution of the well-received Snapdragon 680, which continues to maintain its popularity. Officially introduced in March 2023, the Snapdragon 685 made its first appearance on the Redmi Note 12 (4G) in April of the same year.

Key specifications of Snapdragon 685

The key specifications of this SoC are as follows:

• CPU cores: 4x ARM Cortex A73 (2.8GHz) + 4x ARM Cortex A53 (1.9GHz)
• GPU: Adreno 610
• ISA: ARMv8-A
• Fab: 6nm TSMC
• RAM: LPDDR4x (up to 8GB)
• Storage: UFS 2.2
• ISP: Spectra 346
• AI/ML: Hexagon 686 DSP
• Camera support: 64MP
• Video support: 1080p @60fps
• Connectivity: 4G, Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi 5, USB, GPS

Performance on the Snapdragon 685

The Snapdragon 685 follows the familiar blueprint of most midrange SoCs. It has two CPU clusters (4 Cortex A73 and 4 Cortex A53) and an Adreno 610 GPU.

The Cortex A73 clusters, known as the performance cores, take on resource-intensive tasks like apps and gaming, contributing to a robust user experience. However, their power-hungry nature can impact battery life. This is where the Cortex A53 clusters come into play, serving as efficient alternatives. When the A73s are idle, the A53s step in, offering battery-efficient performance suitable for lighter activities such as video streaming, social media browsing, and calls.

The SoC provides compatibility with LPDDR4x RAM (with a capacity of up to 8GB) and UFS 2.2 storage. As a result, it promises seamless and responsive performance for daily tasks. This remains the case as long as you avoid keeping an excessive number of apps running in the background or filling up your storage space.

Positioned as a lower midrange SoC, the Snapdragon 685 does offer respectable performance, but it is not a top-tier SoC. That being said, it does deliver a satisfactory experience, handling a wide range of social media applications seamlessly. When it comes to gaming, the SoC performs decently, supporting a variety of titles within a specific performance range. For instance, it capably manages games like PUBG, Call of Duty, Genshin Impact, and eFootball mobile at Medium settings. However, it falls short when attempting to accommodate more demanding titles like NBA 2K, Grid Auto Sport, and Fortnite, which may not be compatible.

Similar SoCs in the same performance range include:

• Snapdragon 480+ 5G (Nokia G42, Honor 70 lite)
• Snapdragon 685 (Redmi Note 12)
• Snapdragon 835 (Pixel 2, Samsung Galaxy S8+)
• Apple A10 Fusion (iPhone 7, 7+)
• Exynos 8895 (Samsung Galaxy S8+)
• Snapdragon 712 (Mi 9 SE, Realme 5 Pro)
• Snapdragon 678 (Redmi Note 10, Moto G Stylus 2021)
• Snapdragon 680 (Redmi Note 11, Oppo A78 4G)
• Helio G88 (Redmi 10, 12, Infinix Note 12)

(click to see full specs of Snapdragon 685)

Multimedia (camera and video performance)

The Snapdragon 685 is equipped with an advanced Spectra 346 ISP and is complemented by a Hexagon 686 DSP AI/ML unit. This SoC is optimally prepared to process photos and videos. It boasts support for cameras with resolutions of up to 64MP and video capabilities at 1080p @60fps. This configuration ensures the production of high-quality photos and satisfactory video output.

Connectivity range of the Snapdragon 685

Operating as a 4G SoC, the Snapdragon 685 does not offer compatibility with 5G networks. It integrates a Snapdragon X11 modem featuring LTE Cat. 13 support (UL-150Mbps, DL-390Mbps). Additionally, the SoC includes support for Bluetooth 5.1 and WiFi 5 connectivity options.

Conclusion

The Snapdragon 685 presents a refreshing upgrade over its predecessor, the Snapdragon 680, showcasing a substantial performance enhancement. Nevertheless, it's essential to acknowledge that this processor remains within the realm of lower midrange performance. As a result, it's advisable to manage your expectations appropriately when considering a smartphone powered by this chipset.