Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 vs Helio G37: Which Chip Wins?
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 and MediaTek Helio G37 are both entry-level mobile processors, but they serve different generations of budget phones. The Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 is the newer, faster chip for 2024-2025 budget devices, while the Helio G37 is an older, more affordable option found in 2022-2023 entry-level phones. If you want smoother daily performance and better efficiency, the Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 is the clear choice; if you are on a very tight budget and only need basic tasks, the Helio G37 still works.
Background: Where Each Chip Sits
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 (announced mid-2024) is the latest in the 4-series, designed for phones priced around $100-$200. It uses a 4nm process (TSMC) and an 8-core CPU with two performance cores (Cortex-A720) and six efficiency cores (Cortex-A520). This is a significant jump from older 4-series chips.
MediaTek’s Helio G37 (announced early 2022) is a 12nm chip with eight Cortex-A53 cores, all clocked at up to 2.3 GHz. It was aimed at ultra-budget phones, often priced under $100. It has a PowerVR GE8320 GPU, which is quite weak by modern standards.
The two chips are not direct competitors in the same price bracket today, but they often appear in similar budget phone listings, so buyers frequently compare them.
How They Work: Architecture and Process
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 is built on a 4nm process, which allows more transistors in a smaller space, leading to better performance per watt. Its CPU uses ARM’s newer v9 architecture (Cortex-A720/A520), supporting features like 64-bit-only computing and improved security. The Adreno 613 GPU is a modern design that supports hardware-accelerated H.264 and H.265 video decoding.
The Helio G37 uses a 12nm process, which is older and less efficient. Its Cortex-A53 cores are from 2014-era ARM designs, but they are still capable of basic tasks. The PowerVR GE8320 GPU is a low-end part that supports basic UI rendering and light gaming but struggles with modern titles. It does support 1080p video playback, but only H.264, not H.265 (HEVC).
Performance Comparison: Real-World Differences
In benchmark terms, the Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 scores roughly double the Helio G37 in AnTuTu (around 400,000 vs 180,000) and Geekbench 6 (single-core ~950 vs ~250, multi-core ~2800 vs ~1200). In everyday use:
- App loading: The Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 opens apps 50-100% faster.
- Multitasking: The Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 handles 6-8 apps in memory without reloading; the Helio G37 struggles after 3-4.
- Gaming: The Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 can play PUBG Mobile at 40fps (balanced) and Genshin Impact at low settings; the Helio G37 manages 20-25fps on the lowest settings.
- Video: The Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 supports 1080p60 playback; the Helio G37 only 1080p30.
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 also has better thermal management, so it throttles less during prolonged use.
Connectivity and Features
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 includes a 5G modem (sub-6 GHz), Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, and supports LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. It also supports Quick Charge 4+ and has an integrated AI engine for camera enhancements.
The Helio G37 has only 4G LTE (Cat-7), Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and supports LPDDR4X RAM and eMMC 5.1 storage. It has no AI engine, so camera processing is basic. It also lacks support for 5G, which is a major drawback if you plan to keep the phone for 2-3 years.
How to Choose: Which One Fits Your Needs?
Your choice depends on your budget and how long you plan to keep the phone.
- Choose the Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 if: you can spend a little more, want 5G, need smooth performance for social media and light gaming, and plan to keep the phone for 2+ years. It also has better camera support (up to 108MP single camera).
- Choose the Helio G37 if: your budget is extremely tight, you only use your phone for calls, WhatsApp, and basic web browsing, and you are okay with a slower, older device. It is still fine for a first smartphone or a backup phone.
In most regions, the price difference between phones with these chips is $30-$50, which usually justifies the Snapdragon 4 Gen 4.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
A common misconception is that the Helio G37 is a gaming chip because of the “G” in its name. In reality, the G-series is just MediaTek’s branding for affordable chips with slightly better GPU clocks; it does not mean it can handle modern games. The Helio G37 will overheat and throttle during extended gaming sessions.
Another issue with the Helio G37 is the lack of software updates. Many phones with this chip only get one Android version update and two years of security patches. The Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 is promised by Qualcomm to receive three Android version updates and four years of security patches, though this also depends on the phone manufacturer.
Also, note that the Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 does not support 4K video recording, but that is not a major concern for budget phones.
Cost and Value Over Time
Phones with the Helio G37 are typically $70-$120, while those with the Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 are $120-$200. The extra cost buys you:
- 5G connectivity (future-proofing).
- Faster storage (UFS 3.1 vs eMMC 5.1).
- Better resale value.
- Longer software support.
If you buy a Helio G37 phone, you will likely need to replace it sooner, making the total cost of ownership higher in the long run.
Alternatives to Consider
If you are looking at these two, you might also consider the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (slightly slower than the 4 Gen 4 but cheaper) or the MediaTek Helio G99 (faster than the G37 but still 4G-only). The Helio G99 is a better budget gaming option than the G37, but it lacks 5G. For 5G on a budget, the Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 is the best option in this class.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Helio G37 good for gaming? No. It can run very light games like Candy Crush or older 2D titles, but modern 3D games will be laggy and may overheat the phone.
Does the Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 support 5G? Yes, it includes a 5G modem for sub-6 GHz networks, which is the most common type of 5G worldwide.
Which chip has better battery life? The Snapdragon 4 Gen 4, due to its 4nm process, is significantly more power-efficient. You can expect 10-20% better battery life in real-world usage.
Can I use a phone with the Helio G37 for video calls? Yes, it handles video calls fine, but the camera quality will be lower, and the phone may heat up during long calls.
Is the Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 worth the extra money? For most people, yes, because it offers 5G, better performance, and longer software support, which makes the phone last longer.
Do these chips support 4K video playback? Neither supports 4K video playback. Both are limited to 1080p, which is fine for most users.
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