Introduction
HiSilicon Kirin 980 and Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 are probably two of the most dominant chipsets in the industry. Each has different feature sets and advantages. It is a fact that in 2018, HiSilicon Kirin 980 was one of the initial chipsets to be based on a 7nm process and brought about phenomenal performance improvements in smartphones. The recently launched Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 carries the newest technology like better power efficiency and 5G connectivity, which keeps it really powerful in mid-range smartphones.
Comparison: HiSilicon Kirin 980 vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3
| Feature | HiSilicon Kirin 980 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Release Year | 2018 | 2024 |
| Fabrication Process | 7nm | 4nm |
| CPU Architecture | Octa-core (2x Cortex-A76, 2x Cortex-A76, 4x Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x Cortex-X2, 6x Cortex-A55) |
| Clock Speed | 2.6 GHz | 3.0 GHz |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MP10 | Adreno 700-series |
| AI Accelerator | Dual NPU | Hexagon 690 AI engine |
| Memory Support | LPDDR4X | LPDDR5 |
| Max Camera Support | 48 MP (single) | 200 MP (single) |
| AnTuTu 10 Score | ~300,000 | ~450,000 |
| GeekBench 6 Score | Single: ~3,200, Multi: ~10,500 | Single: ~3,800, Multi: ~12,000 |
| 5G Support | No | Yes |
Specifications
| Specification | HiSilicon Kirin 980 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Year | 2018 | 2024 |
| Process Node | 7nm | 4nm |
| CPU Architecture | Octa-core (2x Cortex-A76, 2x Cortex-A76, 4x Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x Cortex-X2, 6x Cortex-A55) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MP10 | Adreno 700-series |
| AI Accelerator | Dual NPU | Hexagon 690 AI engine |
| RAM Support | LPDDR4X | LPDDR5 |
| Camera Support | Up to 48 MP (single), 24 MP (dual) | Up to 200 MP (single) |
| Display Support | 4K UHD @ 60Hz | FHD+ @ 120Hz |
| Storage Type | UFS 2.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5 | 5G, Wi-Fi 6 |
| Battery Efficiency | Moderate | High |
Review
| Aspect | HiSilicon Kirin 980 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | Strong, especially for 2018 | Excellent, with modern optimizations |
| Gaming | Good, but outdated for modern games | Excellent with newer GPU architecture |
| AI Capabilities | Decent dual NPU | Powerful AI with Hexagon 690 engine |
| Power Efficiency | Moderate, older process node | High, thanks to the 4nm process |
| Camera Support | Excellent for its time | Excellent with support for up to 200 MP cameras |
| Thermal Management | Good | Excellent, thanks to newer tech |
4. Benchmarks
AnTuTu 10
| Test | Kirin 980 | Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | ~300,000 | ~450,000 |
| CPU Score | ~80,000 | ~120,000 |
| GPU Score | ~90,000 | ~140,000 |
| Memory Score | ~60,000 | ~100,000 |
| UX Score | ~70,000 | ~90,000 |
GeekBench 6
| Test | Kirin 980 | Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Single-Core | ~3,200 | ~3,800 |
| Multi-Core | ~10,500 | ~12,000 |
Smartphones
| Chipset | Smartphones |
|---|---|
| Kirin 980 | Huawei Mate 20, Huawei P30, Honor View 20 |
| Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 | Xiaomi Mi 14, OnePlus 12, Oppo Find X6 |
Key Functionality Breakdown: HiSilicon Kirin 980 vs. Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3
1. CPU Performance
| Feature | HiSilicon Kirin 980 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Core Architecture | Octa-core (2x Cortex-A76, 2x Cortex-A76, 4x Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x Cortex-X2, 6x Cortex-A55) |
| Clock Speed | Up to 2.6 GHz | Up to 3.0 GHz |
| Manufacturing Process | 7nm | 4nm |
| Performance Focus | Balanced power & efficiency | High-performance & power efficiency |
Graphics (GPU)
| Feature | HiSilicon Kirin 980 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| GPU Model | Mali-G76 MP10 | Adreno 700-series |
| Graphics Performance | Excellent for mid-range gaming | Advanced performance for high-end gaming |
| Max Display Support | 4K UHD @ 60Hz | FHD+ @ 120Hz |
AI Accelerator
| Feature | HiSilicon Kirin 980 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| AI Technology | Dual NPU (Neural Processing Unit) | Hexagon 690 AI engine |
| Key Features | Enhanced AI for imaging, voice, and video | Advanced AI for real-time tasks, enhanced camera & app experience |
Memory Support
| Feature | HiSilicon Kirin 980 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| RAM Type | LPDDR4X | LPDDR5 |
| Max RAM Support | Up to 8GB | Up to 16GB |
| RAM Speed | 2133 MHz | 3200 MHz |
Multimedia (ISP)
| Feature | HiSilicon Kirin 980 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Max Camera Support | 48 MP (single), 24 MP (dual) | 200 MP (single) |
| Video Recording | 4K @ 30fps, 1080p @ 60fps | 4K @ 60fps, 1080p @ 120fps |
| Image Processing | AI-powered camera enhancements | Advanced AI for noise reduction, better low-light performance |
Connectivity
| Feature | HiSilicon Kirin 980 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G Support | No | Yes (Sub-6 GHz) |
| Wi-Fi Support | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| USB Type-C | Yes | Yes |
Power Efficiency
| Feature | HiSilicon Kirin 980 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing Process | 7nm | 4nm |
| Efficiency Features | Intelligent power saving algorithms | Enhanced battery management with improved idle consumption |
Battery & Charging
| Feature | HiSilicon Kirin 980 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Charging | 22.5W | 33W |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Max Battery Capacity | Up to 5000mAh | Up to 5000mAh |
Your Questions and Our Opinion: HiSilicon Kirin 980 vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3
- Which chipset is newer?
- Opinion: The Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 is newer, launched in 2024, while the Kirin 980 was released in 2018.
- Which one has better CPU performance?
- Opinion: Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 has a faster CPU with Cortex-X2 cores and higher clock speeds, making it better for overall performance.
- Which supports 5G?
- Opinion: The Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 supports 5G, while the Kirin 980 does not.
- Which one is more power-efficient?
- Opinion: The Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 is more power-efficient due to its 4nm process, offering better battery life and lower power consumption.
- Which one has a better GPU for gaming?
- Opinion: The Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 offers a superior Adreno GPU, making it better for gaming performance.
- Which chipset has better AI capabilities?
- Opinion: The Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 has advanced AI features with the Hexagon 690 AI engine, offering better real-time performance.
- Which supports higher camera resolutions?
- Opinion: The Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 supports up to 200 MP cameras, while the Kirin 980 supports up to 48 MP.
- Which is better for multitasking?
- Opinion: The Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 is better for multitasking due to its higher RAM support and more efficient cores.
- Which one has better connectivity options?
- Opinion: The Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 supports Wi-Fi 6, 5G, and Bluetooth 5.2, while the Kirin 980 supports only Wi-Fi 5 and lacks 5G.
- Which one should I choose?
- Opinion: Choose the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 for better overall performance, modern features, and future-proofing, especially if you want 5G and improved gaming.
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