Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 6 (SM4875, codename “Poros”) is unannounced, but leaked sources suggest it will build on the Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 (SM4850, “Aldabra”) launched in May 2026. According to a confidential Qualcomm data sheet, Snapdragon 4 Gen 6 is expected to retain the same 8‑core CPU (2× Cortex-A78 performance + 6× Cortex-A55 efficiency, on 4nm) as Gen 5, but adds major upgrades to graphics, memory, and connectivity. Key rumored improvements include a new Adreno 6‑series GPU (versus Adreno 4‑series in Gen 5), support for dual-channel LPDDR5 RAM, optional Wi‑Fi 6/Bluetooth 6.0 modules, and strengthened security hardware. Qualcomm has not officially announced any Snapdragon 4 Gen 6 platform; these details come from leaks and should be treated as speculation until confirmed by Qualcomm.
Snapdragon 4 Series Background
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 4 series targets entry-level to lower-midrange smartphones. Key releases include:
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (SM4250, Oct 2022) – First in series (4nm, 2×A76 + 6×A55).
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (SM4325, Jun 2023) – Upgraded cores (A78 + A55, 4nm) and 5G support.
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 (SM4850, Dec 2025) – Further CPU/GPU gains, 4nm, 120Hz display support.
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 (SM4850, May 2026) – Introduced Snapdragon Smooth Motion UI, up to 2.4GHz Kryo CPU, and 77% faster Adreno GPU. It was also the first in the series to support 90 FPS gaming and dual 5G SIMs.
All previous Snapdragon 4 Gen platforms have used TSMC’s 4nm process. Snapdragon 4 Gen 5, for example, was built on 4nm and supports up to 2133 MHz LPDDR4X memory. With each generation, Qualcomm has focused on incremental gains in everyday performance and efficiency. As Chenwei Yan (SVP at Qualcomm) stated during the Gen 5 launch, these platforms are “intentionally designed to strike the right balance of performance, power efficiency and connectivity” for budget phones.
Confirmed (Official) Information
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 launch (May 2026): Qualcomm officially announced the Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 Mobile Platform on May 7, 2026. It delivers up to 77% GPU performance improvement and introduces 90 FPS gaming support to the 4-series. The Kryo CPU runs up to 2.4 GHz on a 4nm node. Qualcomm confirmed Gen 5 will appear in 2H 2026 devices from brands like OPPO, realme, and Redmi.
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 6 status: As of July 2026, Qualcomm has not announced any “Snapdragon 4 Gen 6” platform. The latest official information is that Gen 5 was launched in 2026.
Snapdragon 4 Gen 6: Rumors and Leaks
Leak publications report that Qualcomm’s next Snapdragon 4-series chip is codenamed SM4875 “Poros” and is expected to succeed Gen 5. The leaked datasheet (dated March 2026) suggests the following:
- CPU configuration: 8‑core Kryo CPU, unchanged from Gen 5: 2× Cortex‑A78 (performance) + 6× Cortex‑A55 (efficiency), on TSMC 4nm. Clock speeds are not confirmed, but likely around Gen 5 levels (around 2.3-2.4 GHz).
- GPU: Major upgrade from Adreno 4-series (Gen 5) to Adreno 6-series. Since Gen 5 already saw a 77% jump over Gen 4, the move to Adreno 6-series should yield a significant boost in graphics performance. This means smoother gaming and UI animations on budget phones.
- Memory: Adds dual-channel LPDDR5 support (up to ~3200 MHz) in addition to LPDDR4X. This is a big step up from Gen 5’s LPDDR4X-only support (up to 2133 MHz). LPDDR5 will help multitasking and app load times, while LPDDR4X remains available as a lower-cost option.
- Connectivity: Improved wireless options. The datasheet lists four companion chip choices: older Wi‑Fi 5/Bluetooth 5.1-5.2 modules (WCN3998-2, WCN3988) or newer Wi‑Fi 6 + BT5.2 (WCN6750) and Wi‑Fi 6 + BT6.0 (WCN6450) modules. Notably, Gen 6 would still not include Wi‑Fi 7 support (unlike some higher-end chips), but this is still an upgrade over Gen 5’s Wi‑Fi 5 limitation. The 5G modem itself isn’t detailed, but we expect continued 5G (likely Release 17) coverage similar to Gen 5.
- Security & Packaging: Enhanced security features are hinted: hardware ECC image authentication, Widevine L1 DRM support, and a new Trust Management Engine. The chip’s package (PSP917) is larger than Gen 5’s (PSP808), reflecting added I/O and a wider PCIe bus for Wi‑Fi 6 modules.
- Name & Codename: The leaked sheet does not use the name “Snapdragon 4 Gen 6”; that designation comes from the naming pattern. Internally it’s just SM4875 “Poros”. Qualcomm has not confirmed the final product name.
- Launch timeframe: Snap4 Gen6 devices might appear in mid-to-late 2027. In leaks like this, timelines often shift, so treat this as very rough. The leak dates from early 2026, so a 2027 rollout is plausible.
Comparison: Snapdragon 4 Gen 6 vs 4 Gen 5
| Feature | Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 (SM4850) | Snapdragon 4 Gen 6 (SM4875, rumored) |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 2× Kryo Gold (Cortex-A78) @ up to ~2.4 GHz<br>6× Kryo Silver (A55) | Same config: 2×A78 + 6×A55 on 4nm |
| GPU | Qualcomm Adreno 4-series (77% faster than Gen4) | New Adreno 6-series (further improvement over Adreno 4) |
| Memory | LPDDR4X up to 2133 MHz (single-channel) | Dual-channel LPDDR5 (up to ~3200 MHz), optional LPDDR4X |
| Process Node | 4nm (TSMC) | 4nm (TSMC) |
| Connectivity | Wi‑Fi 5 (802.11ac), BT5.1<br>5G Release 17 (Dual SIM dual active) | Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) optional, BT 6.0 optional<br>5G (Release 17) expected |
| Security | Basic modern security (TEE) | Hardware ECC auth, Widevine L1, updated Trust Engine |
| Gaming | Up to 90 FPS support (first in 4-series) | Likely retains 90+ FPS, with smoother graphics from Adreno 6 |
| Launch | Announced May 2026 | Rumored for 2027 (unconfirmed) |
In summary, Snapdragon 4 Gen 6 is expected to be an iterative upgrade to Gen 5, focusing on GPU, memory, and connectivity rather than raw CPU power. It would keep the same core performance but improve “day-to-day” experience (gaming, multitasking).
Why This Matters
Budget and midrange phones account for the majority of smartphone sales globally, especially in markets like India and Southeast Asia. Even modest spec bumps can significantly improve user experience on affordable devices. For example, faster LPDDR5 memory and a stronger GPU mean cheaper phones will load apps and games more smoothly. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 4 series competes with MediaTek’s Dimensity 6000-series (entry 5G SoCs) and older Helio chips, so a Gen 6 refresh helps Qualcomm stay competitive.
Even unexciting upgrades can matter: by keeping the CPU cores the same, Qualcomm likely cuts costs, while dedicating silicon to smoother animations and battery life (via Snapdragon Smooth Motion UI and a refined performance engine). These upgrades “focus on the parts that matter most day to day” in budget phones. For OEMs, a new Gen 6 chip offers reasons to launch refreshed models in 2027. For consumers, it promises better visuals and longevity on low-cost handsets.
Put another way, Snapdragon 4 Gen 6 could ensure that the cheapest 5G phones of 2027 offer noticeably better graphics and connectivity than today’s models. In the hyper-competitive midrange market, even an incremental chipset boost can decide which brand wins on value.
Key Highlights
- No official announcement yet: Qualcomm has not confirmed Snapdragon 4 Gen 6; latest is Gen 5 (May 2026).
- Leaked codename SM4875 (Poros): Internal datasheet suggests this is the next 4-series chip.
- CPU unchanged: Same 2×A78 + 6×A55 on 4nm as Gen 5.
- Big GPU jump: Moves to Adreno 6-series GPU (up from Adreno 4).
- Faster RAM: Supports dual-channel LPDDR5 memory (Gen 5 had only LPDDR4X).
- Better wireless: Offers Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 6.0 options (Gen 5 only had Wi-Fi 5/BT5.1).
- Security & I/O: Upgraded ECC, Widevine L1 DRM, trust engine; larger chip package for extra ports.
- Target devices: Likely to appear on affordable 5G phones (e.g. Redmi, realme, OPPO) in ~2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: No. As of mid-2026, Qualcomm has not announced any “Snapdragon 4 Gen 6.” The most recent Snapdragon 4-series chip is the Snapdragon 4 Gen 5, unveiled in May 2026. The details for “Gen 6” come from leaks and industry reports, not official sources.
A: Based on leaks of the internal SM4875 datasheet, Snapdragon 4 Gen 6 is rumored to upgrade its GPU and memory. It’s expected to use an Adreno 6-series GPU (up from Adreno 4) and support LPDDR5 RAM, whereas Gen 5 has LPDDR4X. Connectivity options like Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 6.0 may become available. The CPU (2×A78 + 6×A55, 4nm) would remain the same as Gen 5. Security hardware is also boosted with features like Widevine L1 support.
A: Snapdragon 4 Gen 6 is essentially an iterative upgrade over Gen 5. Both are built on 4nm and share the same CPU core setup. The big differences (per leaks) are the GPU and memory: Gen 6 would use the newer Adreno 6 GPU and support faster LPDDR5 RAM, whereas Gen 5 had Adreno 4 and only LPDDR4X. Gen 6 may also offer Wi‑Fi 6/Bluetooth 6.0 (Gen 5 is Wi‑Fi 5/BT5.1). In short, expect better graphics, faster memory, and improved connectivity. Otherwise, performance and power efficiency should be similar.
A: No official date is set. Leaks suggest “sometime in 2027”. Qualcomm usually announces new Snapdragon 4-series roughly once a year, and Gen 5 came in mid-2026. If that pattern holds, we could see Gen 6 details or devices in 2027. But this is highly speculative – the chip could be delayed or changed before launch.
A: While unconfirmed, likely candidates are budget/midrange models from brands that adopted Gen 5. For example, OPPO, realme, and Redmi were early with 4 Gen 5 devices. Similar brands may incorporate Gen 6 in ~2027. These chips power affordable 5G phones aimed at markets like India. Expect it in successors to realme’s, Redmi’s or other sub-$300 5G phones.
A: The Snapdragon 4 series competes with MediaTek’s entry-level 5G chipsets. For example, MediaTek’s Dimensity 6000-series (e.g. Dimensity 6100, 6200) target the same budget 5G segment. Other rivals are older Snapdragon 6-series chips (e.g. 6 Gen 4/5) or MediaTek’s Helio G-range for non-5G models. The Gen 6’s upgrades (LPDDR5, Adreno 6) help Qualcomm stay competitive in that price tier.
A: On very budget chips, improving CPU cores can increase cost and power use. Qualcomm appears to have kept the same cores in Gen 6, which likely saves die area and cost. Instead, it boosts real-world performance factors: smoother graphics and faster memory. These changes “show up in devices most people never think twice about” but significantly impact user experience. Better GPU and RAM mean apps, games and UI run more smoothly, extending the value of budget phones.
Comparison with Competitors
| Chipset | CPU Cores | GPU Series | RAM Support | Target Segment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snapdragon 4 Gen 6 (rumored) | 2×A78 + 6×A55 (4nm) | Adreno 6-series | Dual LPDDR5 / LPDDR4X | Budget 5G smartphones |
| Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 (2026) | 2×A78 + 6×A55 (4nm) | Adreno 4-series | LPDDR4X only | Budget 5G smartphones |
| MediaTek Dimensity 6100 (2022) | 2×A75 + 6×A55 (6nm) | Mali-G57 MC2 | LPDDR4X up to 1866 | Budget 5G smartphones |
| MediaTek Dimensity 6300 (2023) | 4×A76 + 4×A55 (6nm) | Mali-G57 MC2 | LPDDR4X / LPDDR4 | Budget 5G smartphones |
| Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 (2026) | 2×A78 + 6×A55 (4nm) | Adreno 716 | LPDDR5 | Upper-midrange 5G |
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