Snapdragon 821 MSM9996 was introduced to power up smartphones by 10% compared to Snapdragon 820 MSM9996 Pro. Snapdragon 821 was designed to complement Snapdragon 820, not to replace as stated by Qualcomm.
Snapdragon 821 differs from Snapdragon 820 in three major aspects
- PDAF (Phase-Detection Auto-Focus) implementation
- CPU clock speed 2.4 GHz (2.2 GHz in Snapdragon 820)
- Qualcomm Aqstic technology (introduced with Snapdragon 821)
Soon after the announcement of Snapdragon 820 at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in March 2015, this SoC (System on Chip) was blended with the top smartphones existing then. We have provided the list of power-packed smartphones which run on Snapdragon 821 processor and Snapdragon 820 processor, don’t forget to check them at the end of the article.
Even after introducing such a game changer (Snapdragon 820), the giant like Qualcomm want to bring something which can complement Snapdragon 820 and they are successful again. In July 2016, Snapdragon 821 was introduced and many smartphone addicts showed their interest in this too. This is because people know how valuable the upgraded processor was.
Wake up geek, smartphone specs don’t simply mean RAM, ROM, Camera and Display but there is something called processor on which you should have a decent knowledge. We, at Geek Dashboard, will walk you through the critical comparison: Snapdragon 821 vs Snapdragon 820 and the insights of Snapdragon processors.
Snapdragon 821 Vs Snapdragon 820 – Things that changed
CPU Speed
With the advancement in processors, the processing speed is one feature which will see tremendous advancement. The same applied to Snapdragon 821 processor too, the CPU speed has been increased by 10%. This, in turn, will improve the overall performance of the processor.
GPU Speed
GPU is technically called as Graphical Processing Unit and sometimes Visual Processing Unit also. Snapdragon 821 is featured with advanced GPU processor which can deliver 5% improved processing of graphics when compared to Snapdragon 820.
Adreno 530 GPU used in Snapdragon 821 consumes less power when compared to Snapdragon 820 and this boosts the GPU speed by 5%.
Power Savings
A processor performing operations at greater speed will always save time. This will surely reduce the battery consumption which consequently improves the battery life. The statistics have proved the improvement was 5% compared to Snapdragon 820.
The advanced processing speed of Snapdragon 821 makes each and every component to work smarter and faster.
Faster boot time
Boot time is the time difference between self-start of smartphone and complete loading of software like Android, iOS, and Windows. Kyro CPU and Hexagon 680 DSP (Digital Signal Processor) re-designed in Snapdragon 821 helps to achieve 10% improved performance.
Boot time has been significantly improved compared to smartphones using Snapdragon 820 processor. The mobile will restart or power up in less time compared to smartphones with Snapdragon 821 processor.
Improved app load time
The moment you tap on any app, Snapdragon processor will try to kick start the app for fresh launch. The app launch will happen sometimes from RAM (based on cache availability). Snapdragon 821 has improved the app load time by 10 percent with respect to smartphones using Snapdragon 820.
Smooth scrolling and responsive browsing
The screen response has been improved with the advancements made in Snapdragon 821. With advanced screen response, the scrolling and browsing performance have been taken to the next level.
Snapdragon 821 – Support for new features
Snapdragon VR-SDK
SDK is a Software Development Kit which offers superior mobile VR toolset which provides access to Snapdragon’s powerful heterogeneous architecture. The Snapdragon VR-SDK provides superior virtual reality quality, high definition audio, intuitive gaming interface which is the new feature supported by Snapdragon 821
Dual PD
Phase Detection Auto Focus (PDAF) is the trending camera technology which significantly fastens the image focusing even with wide angle lens. With dual phase detection, Snapdragon 821 eliminates “tap to focus” myth. The effect of motion is negligible with Snapdragon 821, it can focus on fast-moving objects very effectively.
Extended Laser Auto-Focus
Auto-focus has been an excellent feature in Snapdragon 820. The focus range and accuracy are extended further with Snapdragon 821.
Android Nougat OS
Snapdragon 820 was built to handle software advancements like Android Nougat. Snapdragon 821 will offer extended compatibility, additional security and offers new features whenever available to Android Nougat.
Snapdragon 821 vs Snapdragon 820 (Summary)
- 10% faster boot time
- 10% faster app load time
- More responsive user interactions
- CPU speed increased by 10%
- GPU speed increased by 5%
- Delivers 5% increased power savings
- Snapdragon VR SDK for better virtual reality experience
- Dual PD (Phase Detection) for stabilized image focus
- Extended laser auto-focus to capture far objects with clarity
- Extended compatibility and improved security for Android Nougat OS
Hope we have clearly explained the combat between two successive processors of Qualcomm. The movement Snapdragon 821 vs Snapdragon 820 query pops up in mind, we always recommend you to choose Snapdragon 821. This is due to the enhancements induced by Qualcomm into Snapdragon 821. Always stay updated with technology, stay tuned to Geek Dashboard. Qualcomm is striving hard to take the smartphones compatible with cutting edge technologies. We have listed the key highlights which every Qualcomm Snapdragon processor will possess.
List of smartphones powered by Snapdragon 821
Asus ZenFone 3 Deluxe is the first in the list, but apart from Asus many other smartphones manufacturers like Samsung, make their way into the list
Samsung smartphones with Snapdragon 821
- Samsung Galaxy Note 7
- Samsung Galaxy X1
- Samsung Galaxy X1 Plus
LG smartphones with Snapdragon 821
- LG V30
- LG G6
- LG G6 Mini
HTC smartphones with Snapdragon 821
Sony smartphones with Snapdragon 821
Lenovo smartphones with Snapdragon 821
- Lenovo ZUK Edge
- Lenovo ZUK Edge 2
OnePlus smartphones with Snapdragon 821
Asus smartphones with Snapdragon 821
Xiaomi smartphones with Snapdragon 821
- Xiaomi Mi 6
- Xiaomi Mi 5S
- Xiaomi Mi Mix
- Xiaomi Mi S
- Xiaomi Mi Note 2
- Xiaomi Mi 5C
Coolpad smartphones with Snapdragon 821
- Coolpad Cool S1 Changer
Oppo smartphones with Snapdragon 821
- Oppo Find 9
Google smartphones with Snapdragon 821
Vivo smartphones with Snapdragon 821
ZTE smartphones with Snapdragon 821
- ZTE Axon 7S
List of smartphones powered by Snapdragon 820
Le Max Pro being the first smartphone powered by Snapdragon 820 became the trendsetter and it is being followed by other smartphone manufacturers too.
Samsung smartphones with Snapdragon 820
- Samsung Galaxy S7 Active
- Samsung W2017 (Veyron)
- Samsung Galaxy S7
- Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
- Samsung Galaxy S7 Mini
Motorola smartphones with Snapdragon 820
- Moto X
- Moto Z Droid
- Moto Z
- Moto Z Force
LG smartphones with Snapdragon 820
HTC smartphones with Snapdragon 820
- HTC 10
- HTC Nexus Sailfish
- HTC O2
- HTC Nexus Marlin
Sony smartphones with Snapdragon 820
- Sony Xperia Z6
- Sony Xperia XZ
- Sony Xperia X performance
- Sony Xperia XZs
- Sony G3121
- Sony G3112
Nokia smartphones with Snapdragon 820
- Nokia Z2 Plus
- Nokia C9
Lenovo smartphones with Snapdragon 820
- Lenovo Zuk Z2 Pro
- Lenovo Zuk Z2 Plus
OnePlus smartphones with Snapdragon 820
- OnePlus 3
- OnePlus 3 A3000
Asus smartphones with Snapdragon 820
Xiaomi smartphones with Snapdragon 820
- Xiaomi Mi 5
- Xiaomi Mi Mix Nano
- Xiaomi Capricorn
Oppo smartphones with Snapdragon 820
- Oppo X9007
- Oppo Find 7
- Oppo R9
- Oppo R9 Plus
Vivo smartphones with Snapdragon 820
- Vivo Xplay 5 Elite
- Vivo Xplay 5
- Vivo Xplay 6
ZTE smartphones with Snapdragon 820
- ZTE Axon 7
- ZTE Nubia Z11
In case if you also want to know the difference of Snapdragon 820 and Snapdragon 821, you can find them here.
Key highlights of Snapdragon Processer
Snapdragon is the product from Qualcomm which is the driving force for all the trending smartphones. Let’s peep into key specs of a regular Snapdragon processor.
- Battery Life
- Impressive Experiences
- Camera
- Connectivity
- Security
- Machine Learning
Battery Life
Have you ever wondered how smartphones battery life is improved?
It is not just because you have 5000 mAh battery. But it is the greatness of the processor which strives hard to complete all the operations assigned to it within no time. If the processor is decent enough, then it will complete the tasks in less time. In other words, the processor operating at high clock frequency has the better chance of providing good battery life.
Take an example of dash charging. It is not the conventional way of charging the smartphone. You are literally pressing the processor to charge your gadget in a more unconventional way. This is not just because of Type-C cable you are using. This is only possible when it matches with the supreme processor which clocks at a higher frequency and performs the operations within picoseconds.
Impressive Experiences
The experience looks impressive when you can feel it with your eyes. Eyes will be pleased and the experience looks good, whenever we are watching high-quality videos or photos. Technology has been evolving day by day. The moment you felt HD seems nice, 4K comes into the picture. From then, the videos came closer to eyes.
With the introduction of technologies like augmented reality and virtual reality, the way we watch videos has been taken to the pinnacle. This technology soothes the sense organs and makes us tends towards virtual things. It can be watching movies or playing games, everything was taken to next stage.
The smartphone which can play HD videos for 6 hours can’t be expected to play VR videos for 6 hours or even 2 hours. This requires graphics boost, increase in color quality, heightened sound, intuitive interactions and moreover, it should ignite your senses. It definitely puts huge stress on the processor. But Qualcomm is always striving hard to help out millions of smartphone users to experience VR for a maximum possible time.
Camera
Cutting edge smartphone camera technologies should meet the processor standards to capture the world as you see it. With the advancement in the camera technologies, the processor also should cope up with a camera to capture HD or 4K videos. With the recent introduction of dual camera technology, it will be more difficult for the processor to withstand.
As always Qualcomm works on this feature with high caution to provide the best possible results. Optical zoom, dual camera technology, stabilized videos, advanced autofocus, HDR and brilliance in low light will be achieved only through the Snapdragon processors
Connectivity
LTE is the trending feature which every smartphone user is looking for and even every smartphone manufacturer want to incorporate. With the power to transfer gigabytes of data over the mobile data, nothing can stress your phone more than receiving LTE signal.
As a user, no one wants any interruption to their VR videos. With the lightning fast delivery speed of LTE technology, there is no need to look back while streaming high-quality 4K videos. If your flight is 2 minutes away, you can still download your favorite movie and can enjoy watching it soon after boarding.
Security
Advancement of digital technology paves way for the cyber threats too. Everyone wants to be safe and secure. Biometric authenticators like high-quality fingerprint scanners and iris scanners can definitely help you in forgetting the passwords. All the wallet apps come with either of the two technologies which definitely need your presence while transacting.
Usage of device, authenticating the transactions and usage of device data has been secured with the Qualcomm Snapdragon
Machine Learning
Voice recognition, capturing VR reflexes, focusing on the visible objects, high-quality LTE connections, and biometric authentication is possible only through machine learning. Teach the machine how to use each and every feature effectively. Qualcomm knows how to teach Snapdragon to serve you effectively and efficiently. Machine learning will be the next cutting edge technology where humans can interact directly with machines and machines can respond to actions too. Qualcomm has given huge heads up with the latest Snapdragon 835.
Rooy says
May 13, 2017 at 1:37 PMThank For this information that sharing about different between Snapdragon 821 and Snapdragon 820.