Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 vs Helio G35: Specs & Benchmarks
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 is a significantly faster and more modern chip than the MediaTek Helio G35, with roughly double the CPU and GPU performance, support for 5G, and a more efficient 6nm manufacturing process. This article compares their specifications, real-world benchmark scores, and practical differences to help you decide which processor matters for your next budget phone.
Background: Two Very Different Budget Chips
The Helio G35 (announced mid-2020) was designed for entry-level 4G phones, often priced under $100. It uses an older 12nm process and eight Cortex-A53 CPU cores, which are power-efficient but slow by modern standards. The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (announced September 2022) targets slightly more expensive budget 5G phones, using a modern 6nm process and faster Cortex-A78 cores. This generational gap explains most of the performance difference.
Key Specifications Side-by-Side
- CPU: Snapdragon 4 Gen 1: 2x Cortex-A78 @ 2.0 GHz + 6x Cortex-A55 @ 1.8 GHz. Helio G35: 8x Cortex-A53 @ 2.3 GHz.
- GPU: Snapdragon: Adreno 619 (supports Vulkan 1.1). Helio: PowerVR GE8320 (OpenGL ES 3.2 only).
- Process: Snapdragon: 6nm TSMC. Helio: 12nm TSMC.
- Memory: Snapdragon: LPDDR4X up to 2133 MHz. Helio: LPDDR4X up to 1800 MHz.
- Connectivity: Snapdragon: 5G (sub-6 GHz), Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1. Helio: 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0.
- Camera support: Snapdragon: up to 108MP single, 32MP dual. Helio: up to 25MP single, 13MP dual.
- Video: Snapdragon: 1080p60 encode/decode. Helio: 1080p30 encode, 1080p60 decode.
Benchmark Comparison (AnTuTu & Geekbench)
In AnTuTu v9/v10 (overall system score), the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 typically scores around 360,000–380,000, while the Helio G35 scores about 110,000–130,000. That is roughly a 3x difference. In Geekbench 5 single-core, the Snapdragon scores ~700–750 vs ~170 for the Helio; multi-core is ~2,000–2,200 vs ~950. These numbers reflect real-world app loading, multitasking, and gaming ability.
Real-World Performance and Gaming
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 handles everyday tasks (social media, web browsing, video streaming) without stutter, and can play games like PUBG Mobile at medium settings with 40–50 fps. The Helio G35 struggles with heavy apps: it may lag when switching between several apps, and games like Genshin Impact are nearly unplayable even at low settings (15–20 fps). The Adreno 619 GPU also supports newer graphics APIs, so some games will run that the PowerVR cannot.
Power Efficiency and Battery Life
The 6nm process of the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 is far more efficient than the 12nm Helio G35. In typical usage, a phone with the Snapdragon chip can last 20–30% longer on the same battery capacity. The Helio G35’s older architecture draws more power under load, and its 2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 cores are less efficient than the A55 cores in the Snapdragon. For heavy gaming, the Snapdragon also throttles less because it generates less heat.
Which One Should You Choose?
If you are buying a new phone today, the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 is the clear winner for almost every use case. It offers 5G, better cameras, faster charging support (Quick Charge 4+), and future-proofing for the next 2–3 years. The Helio G35 is only acceptable if you have an extremely tight budget and only need a phone for calls, basic messaging, and very light web browsing. Avoid the Helio G35 if you plan to play games or use demanding apps.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
- “The Helio G35 has a higher clock speed (2.3 GHz) so it’s faster.� Wrong. Clock speed is not comparable across different CPU architectures. The Cortex-A78 in the Snapdragon does far more work per cycle than the A53.
- “More cores mean better performance.� Both have 8 cores, but the Snapdragon’s two A78 cores handle heavy tasks, while the A55 cores handle light ones. The Helio has eight identical weak cores.
- “5G is not needed.� Even if you don’t use 5G now, the Snapdragon’s modem is more efficient and supports newer network features. The Helio is limited to 4G.
- “Benchmarks don’t matter.� In this case, the difference is so large that it translates directly to everyday smoothness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 worth the extra money over the Helio G35?
Yes, if the price difference is less than $50–60. You get 5G, better performance, longer battery life, and better camera support. If the price gap is huge (e.g., the Helio phone is half the price), the Helio might be acceptable for basic use, but you will likely feel the lag within a year.
Can the Helio G35 run Fortnite?
Fortnite is not officially supported on many Helio G35 devices due to the GPU lacking required features. Even if you sideload it, performance is extremely poor (under 20 fps). The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 can run Fortnite at low settings with 30 fps.
Which chip has better battery life?
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1, because of its 6nm process. In real-world tests, phones with the Snapdragon chip often last 20–30% longer than similar phones with the Helio G35, especially when gaming or streaming video.
Does the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 support 5G?
Yes, it has an integrated 5G modem supporting sub-6 GHz networks (both SA and NSA). The Helio G35 does not support 5G at all.
Can I upgrade from a Helio G35 phone to a Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 phone later?
You cannot upgrade the chip in a phone, but you can buy a new phone with the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1. Many budget 5G phones from brands like Xiaomi, Motorola, and Realme use this chip, so there are plenty of options.
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