The Snapdragon 660 and Kirin 710 are two powerhouse processors, consistently dueling for the spotlight in the mid-range smartphone market. Both offer a compelling blend of performance and efficiency, but each has its unique strengths. Let's delve into the intricacies of these processors, comparing them across key parameters to help you make an informed decision.
Before we dive deep into the comparison, let's briefly understand what each brings to the table. The Snapdragon 660, launched by Qualcomm, is a 64-bit octa-core processor built on a 14nm process. It's a powerhouse in its own right, offering excellent performance for the price. On the other hand, the Kirin 710, developed by Huawei's HiSilicon, is a 64-bit octa-core processor fabricated on a 12nm process, promising enhanced efficiency.
Architecture and Performance
The Snapdragon 660ickered its performance credentials with its Kryo 260 cores, clocked at up to 2.2 GHz. It employs a big.LITTLE architecture, pairing four efficient Cortex-A53 cores with four high-performance Kyro 260 cores. This configuration ensures balanced performance and power-efficiency.
Meanwhile, the Kirin 710 is powered by four Cortex-A73 cores clocked up to 2.2 GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores, resulting in a similar big.LITTLE setup. Interestingly, despite both processors offering similar top clock speeds, the Kirin 710's smaller 12nm process promises more power-efficient performance.
GPU and Gaming Performance
When it comes to gaming, the Snapdragon 660 boasts an Adreno 512 GPU, offering impressive graphical prowess. Paired with its robust CPU performance, the Snapdragon 660 delivers an excellent gaming experience, handling even the most graphically demanding games with ease.
However, the Kirin 710's Mali-G51 MP4 GPU, though powerful, struggles to keep up with the Adreno 512. Although it performs admirably in most games, it can occasionally stutter in particularly graphic-intensive titles, giving the Snapdragon 660 a slight edge in gaming performance.
AI Performance
Both processors leverage dedicated AI hardware for accelerated machine learning tasks. The Snapdragon 660 incorporates Qualcomm's Hexagon 680 DSP, offering up to 1.2 TOPS of AI performance. On the other hand, the Kirin 710 includes HiSilicon's Da Vinci architecture, capable of up to 1.4 TOPS of AI performance.
While on paper, the Kirin 710 edges out the Snapdragon 660 in AI performance, it's essential to consider the real-world impact. Both processors offer outstanding AI performance for their respective price brackets, with only minor differences in certain AI-heavy use cases.
Connectivity and Modem
In terms of connectivity, the Snapdragon 660 pulls ahead with its X12 LTE modem, offering peak download speeds of up to 600 Mbps. Conversely, the Kirin 710's Cat. 12 LTE modem can only reach up to 300 Mbps. However, both support dual 4G SIMs and offer robust connectivity features.
The Snapdragon 660 also supports both EVS voice calls and 4x4 MIMO antenna technology, ensuring superior call quality and data transfer speeds. On the other hand, the Kirin 710 falls short here, offering only 2x2 MIMO and basic HD voice calls, giving the Snapdragon 660 a clear advantage in connectivity.
Ultimately, the choice between the Snapdragon 660 and Kirin 710 depends on your specific needs. If gaming and connectivity are top priorities, the Snapdragon 660's superior GPU and modem make it a compelling choice. However, if efficiency and AI performance are more critical, the Kirin 710's 12nm process and Da Vinci architecture may make it the better option. Whichever you choose, you're guaranteed a powerful, efficient processor that punches well above its weight.
