Something seems off on the 632. The big/LITTLE that AnandTech describes would make sense but the slide call it Kyro 250 X8 which would seem to indicate the same processor for the performance and efficiency cores but with the same max clock speed it seems hard to have a performance and efficiency versions of the same core. The true big cores in the 632 would be nice as the 650 series always seemed fairly rare in phones but it makes me wonder what room is left for the recently announced 700 series.
XDA's article says A73 and A53 on the 632. Can't find anyone else that backs up that info though. The Snapdragon 636 released recently does have the A73/A53 combo at least.
Depends on what you are looking for. For my wife, who has little need for processing power, I've been looking at the Motorola G5s Plus as a "good enough" cheapish phone. But take a look at this similar article from Feb 2016: https://www.anandtech.com/show/10030/qualcomm-anno...
The "new" 439 looks to be pretty close to just a rebranding of the 625 used in the Motorola phones. So if the 625 was "good enough" now she might be able to move downscale even further to the "low end" which is essentially the same as the previous mid-range.
Maybe the 710 series will feature better gpu and slightly better cpu due better node, along with the ai features , while 800 series will have best of everything, provided 1000 series doeasnt bring anything drastic
It's the same with the SD636. It lists "8x Kryo 260", but it's split up into two clusters, and benchmarks and analysis of that one shows a proper big.LITTLE configuration.
Qualcomm has gone off the deep end with their naming scheme this year. The 600-series is both low-end and mid-range. The Kryo 260 is both a big CPU (A72) and a LITTLE CPU (A53). A bunch of other names are overloaded too.
And now they have a 632 (lower than the 636) with a big.LITTLE setup that's possibly as good as/better than a 650/660.
The whole 600-series of SoCs is a cluster-f of naming.
Not to mention the huge differences in GPU and LTE modems between 6xx SoCs. I think they're in a transition period now so 6xx will be the low-midrange with similar GPUs and modems. The 7xx will take over from the 65x and 660 with near-flagship components. 8xx will be flagship mobile parts while 1xxx will be laptop grade.
I expect the difference between the CPU cores in the 636 (Kryo 260) and this new 632 (Kryo 250) comes down to the cache configuration. I don't understand why that listing says LPDDR3 for the 632, when all the others are LPDDR4 and it's supposedly pin compatible - that must be a mistake on the page. Ditto the older DSP, surely another mistake.
Surprised they are putting 4 big cores on this SKU, but it looks like the clock speeds aren't high, so probably a dense layout was used. Dunno if it's the same die as the 636 but cut down a little.
Could that 429 be used as a smartwatch SoC? With 14nm, it's probably lower power than anything currently available, but it would be nice if it used a low power cluster.
Given that the Cortex-A73 is smaller and thus cheaper to produce than the A72, I would not expect new designs with the A72, unless they can reuse a substantial part of the fine-tuning that they invested in the A72.
Their naming scheme is beating even Intel in terms of sheer bat-shit madness. Seriously, if I need to consult an encyclopedia just to tell whether a higher or lower numbered chip is better then something has gone badly wrong.
On 632, Kryo 250 means probably Cortex A73, like other Kryo 2x0 - 280 Gold on SD835 is cortex A73 with 2x32bits LPDDR4 - 260 Gold on SD660/636 is A73 with 2x16bits LPDDR4 (bandwidth isn't the same it's obviously not 2x32 like some Anandtech articles said) - In my opinion, 250 will probably use LPDDR3 to fit with Adreno 506.
It's really easy to compare kryo and cortex A73 on detailled geekbench's scores.
632 is a cheaper 636 with weaker GPU, weaker Memory, weaker...as 636 is allready behind P60 in many aspects including GPU, this 632 will not compete.
439 and 429 are response to Helio P22 and A22, in term of AI and process node. It's funny to see the economic choices of Qualcomm and Mediatek : On 439/429, back to lte category 4, reduce GPU and keeping fullhd support. On P22/A22, upgrade to lte category 7, LPDDR4, bluetooth 5, newer powerVR8 GPU but limited to HD+
Usually Qualcomm is known for lte and GPU, these reductions sound strange
The S630 uses an Adreno 508 whereas the S632 uses an Adreno 506. Did they actually regress on the GPU performance or a higher-clocked Adreno 506 will simply perform as well as a 508?
Andrei is probably wrong here. 632 looks more like a successor to 625/626 given it is pin compatible too.
630 itself has more or less been unofficially replaced by 636 since most phone makers have used 636 in their latest mid-range models with some being even cheaper than the the 630 models.
For example, nokia X6 uses the 636 and is cheaper than the 630 clad nokia 6.1 when comparing their chinese launch prices.
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kpb321 - Tuesday, June 26, 2018 - link
Something seems off on the 632. The big/LITTLE that AnandTech describes would make sense but the slide call it Kyro 250 X8 which would seem to indicate the same processor for the performance and efficiency cores but with the same max clock speed it seems hard to have a performance and efficiency versions of the same core. The true big cores in the 632 would be nice as the 650 series always seemed fairly rare in phones but it makes me wonder what room is left for the recently announced 700 series.bubblyboo - Tuesday, June 26, 2018 - link
XDA's article says A73 and A53 on the 632. Can't find anyone else that backs up that info though. The Snapdragon 636 released recently does have the A73/A53 combo at least.shabby - Tuesday, June 26, 2018 - link
Those a53 cores need to die in a fire quick, you can have a 100 of them and the phone will still be slow.bubblyboo - Tuesday, June 26, 2018 - link
They're fine as LITTLE cores, but the 8xA53 config is getting quite annoying.Ratman6161 - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - link
Depends on what you are looking for. For my wife, who has little need for processing power, I've been looking at the Motorola G5s Plus as a "good enough" cheapish phone. But take a look at this similar article from Feb 2016: https://www.anandtech.com/show/10030/qualcomm-anno...The "new" 439 looks to be pretty close to just a rebranding of the 625 used in the Motorola phones. So if the 625 was "good enough" now she might be able to move downscale even further to the "low end" which is essentially the same as the previous mid-range.
leo_sk - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - link
Maybe the 710 series will feature better gpu and slightly better cpu due better node, along with the ai features , while 800 series will have best of everything, provided 1000 series doeasnt bring anything drasticphoenix_rizzen - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - link
It's the same with the SD636. It lists "8x Kryo 260", but it's split up into two clusters, and benchmarks and analysis of that one shows a proper big.LITTLE configuration.Qualcomm has gone off the deep end with their naming scheme this year. The 600-series is both low-end and mid-range. The Kryo 260 is both a big CPU (A72) and a LITTLE CPU (A53). A bunch of other names are overloaded too.
And now they have a 632 (lower than the 636) with a big.LITTLE setup that's possibly as good as/better than a 650/660.
The whole 600-series of SoCs is a cluster-f of naming.
serendip - Thursday, June 28, 2018 - link
Not to mention the huge differences in GPU and LTE modems between 6xx SoCs. I think they're in a transition period now so 6xx will be the low-midrange with similar GPUs and modems. The 7xx will take over from the 65x and 660 with near-flagship components. 8xx will be flagship mobile parts while 1xxx will be laptop grade.serendip - Thursday, June 28, 2018 - link
Their core naming is a total mess though. Kryo Gold, Silver, Copper, Rusted Iron, is Qualcomm trying to be Intel? Just stick to ARM core naming.0iron - Tuesday, June 26, 2018 - link
"it’s now the first time we see big cores brought down to the lower mid-tier successor to the Snapdragon 630"So, Snapdragon 636 belong to which category?
LiviuTM - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - link
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Qualcomm_Sna...By looking at specs, I'd say it's on a higher tier - better GPU, better memory controller, better DSP, better modem.
psychobriggsy - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - link
I expect the difference between the CPU cores in the 636 (Kryo 260) and this new 632 (Kryo 250) comes down to the cache configuration. I don't understand why that listing says LPDDR3 for the 632, when all the others are LPDDR4 and it's supposedly pin compatible - that must be a mistake on the page. Ditto the older DSP, surely another mistake.Surprised they are putting 4 big cores on this SKU, but it looks like the clock speeds aren't high, so probably a dense layout was used. Dunno if it's the same die as the 636 but cut down a little.
anonym - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - link
632 is pin compatible with 625 not 636.skavi - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - link
Could that 429 be used as a smartwatch SoC? With 14nm, it's probably lower power than anything currently available, but it would be nice if it used a low power cluster.69369369 - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - link
Yawn, more SOCs with underpowered adreno 50x graphics.peevee - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - link
Right, because everybody plays 3D games on their phones with screens with invisibly high resolutions.Not.
AntonErtl - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - link
Given that the Cortex-A73 is smaller and thus cheaper to produce than the A72, I would not expect new designs with the A72, unless they can reuse a substantial part of the fine-tuning that they invested in the A72.Spunjji - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - link
Their naming scheme is beating even Intel in terms of sheer bat-shit madness. Seriously, if I need to consult an encyclopedia just to tell whether a higher or lower numbered chip is better then something has gone badly wrong.peevee - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - link
MBA infestation is apparent @ Qualcomm. :(Plumplum - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - link
On 632, Kryo 250 means probably Cortex A73, like other Kryo 2x0- 280 Gold on SD835 is cortex A73 with 2x32bits LPDDR4
- 260 Gold on SD660/636 is A73 with 2x16bits LPDDR4 (bandwidth isn't the same it's obviously not 2x32 like some Anandtech articles said)
- In my opinion, 250 will probably use LPDDR3 to fit with Adreno 506.
It's really easy to compare kryo and cortex A73 on detailled geekbench's scores.
632 is a cheaper 636 with weaker GPU, weaker Memory, weaker...as 636 is allready behind P60 in many aspects including GPU, this 632 will not compete.
439 and 429 are response to Helio P22 and A22, in term of AI and process node.
It's funny to see the economic choices of Qualcomm and Mediatek :
On 439/429, back to lte category 4, reduce GPU and keeping fullhd support.
On P22/A22, upgrade to lte category 7, LPDDR4, bluetooth 5, newer powerVR8 GPU but limited to HD+
Usually Qualcomm is known for lte and GPU, these reductions sound strange
ToTTenTranz - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - link
The S630 uses an Adreno 508 whereas the S632 uses an Adreno 506.Did they actually regress on the GPU performance or a higher-clocked Adreno 506 will simply perform as well as a 508?
eddman - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - link
Andrei is probably wrong here. 632 looks more like a successor to 625/626 given it is pin compatible too.630 itself has more or less been unofficially replaced by 636 since most phone makers have used 636 in their latest mid-range models with some being even cheaper than the the 630 models.
For example, nokia X6 uses the 636 and is cheaper than the 630 clad nokia 6.1 when comparing their chinese launch prices.
maketas - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - link
The 429 and 439 use a 12 nm node, as stated on the Qualcomm's site.https://www.qualcomm.com/products/snapdragon-429-m...
https://www.qualcomm.com/products/snapdragon-439-m...
The 632 uses a 14 nm one:
https://www.qualcomm.com/products/sdm632-processor
Marlin1975 - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - link
I wonder if that is an error? Qualcomm I don't think has anything else at the 12nm. But their product brief does show 12nm as you linked.SydneyBlue120d - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - link
Is Galileo supported by these new chips?maketas - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - link
Yes, all of them.SydneyBlue120d - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - link
Very good! Thanks a lot.Strafeb - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - link
Snapdragon 439 and 429 are in 12nm FinFET.Snapdragon 632 is in 14nm FinFET.
peevee - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - link
Qualcomm goes the way of Intel. Too many SKUs instead of innovation. We see where it leads.jjj - Wednesday, June 27, 2018 - link
Fake news much?You made the SD636 disappear and went on a glorifying rant.
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