Qualcomm has launched Snapdragon 835 (8998) jointly with Samsung and seen on most of the flagship smartphone of 2017. On the other hand, MediaTek has introduced Helio x30 manufactured by TSMC, to compete with Qualcomm directly. Qualcomm and MediaTek are the arch rivals when it comes to building mobile phone processors.
By any mean, If you were unaware, TSMC is a Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and leading the world in its field. In fact, Qualcomm is working with the same company to fabricate next generation 7nm based high-end SoC instead of going with Samsung. Both the processor are very powerful and this article we will be comparing Helio X30 vs Snapdragon 835 by covering all the aspects. So without wasting any further time, let’s get started!
MediaTek Helio X30 vs Snapdragon 835
| Helio X30 | Snapdragon 835 | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Deca-core ARM 4 x @1.9GHz Cortex-A35 4 x @2.2GHz Cortex-A53 2 x @2.6GHz Cortex-A73 | Octa-core Kryo 280 4x @ 1.90GHz Cortex-A53 4x @ 2.45GHz Cortex-A73 |
| GPU | IMG PowerVR 7XTP-MT4 | Adreno 540 |
| Architecture | 10nm, 64-bit | 10nm, 64-bit |
| Memory | LPDDR4x up to 8GB RAM (1866 MHz) UFS 2.1 | LPDDR4x (1866MHz) UFS2.1 Gear3 2L SD 3.0 (UHS-I) |
| Camera | Single up to 32MP or Dual ISP 16MP+16MP | Single up to 32MP or Dual ISP 16MP+16MP |
| Display | 3840 x 2160 UHD 4K | 3840 x 2160 UHD 4K |
| Quick Charging | Yes | Yes, Quick Charge 4.0 |
| LTE | Cat10 DL = 450Mbps 3x20MHz CA, 64-QAM Cat13 UL = 150Mbps 2x20MHz CA, 64-QAM | LTE X16 Modem Cat-16 DL = 1000Mbps Cat13 UL = 150Mbps 2x20MHz CA, 64-QAM |
| ANTUTU Score | 150k+ | 150k+ |
CPU Performance
The Helio X30 is a tri-cluster deca-core processor where 4 x Cortex-A35 cores are clocked @1.9GHz, 4 x Cortex-A53 @2.2GHz, and 2 x Cortex-A73 are clocked @2.6GHz to handle higher end tasks. On the other hand, Snapdragon 835 is having an octa-core CPU with 4 x Cortex-A53 cores @1.9GHz and remaining 4 x Cortex-A73 cores @2.4GHz for performance mode.
The CPU performance should be excellent on both the SoCs, interestingly, the pair comes with great power efficiency as both the chipsets are built on 10nm process. However, Helio X30 provided Cortex-A35 cores for the basic tasks to save some energy, But Snapdragon 835 is a very well optimized chipset. So, Both the processors are equally good to manage higher END tasks with keeping a good quantity of energy.
Adreno 540 vs IMG PowerVR 7XTP-MT4 GPU
The Snapdragon 835 chip comes along with Adreno 540 GPU integration. Qualcomm has improved a lot over its previous generation 530 and delivers 25% accelerated graphics rendering and 60x more display colors than its predecessor. The company has added Vulkan API To enhance the gaming experience for optimized performance. On another side, PowerVR 7XTP-MT4 has made manifold gains but still not comparable with Adreno 540. The GPU given on Helio X30 is good either but what Qualcomm has done with Adreno 540 is just amazing.
On another side, PowerVR 7XTP-MT4 has made manifold gains but still not comparable with Adreno 540. The GPU given on Helio X30 is good either but what Qualcomm has done with Adreno 540 is just amazing. If you are gaming freak, then Snapdragon 835 powered device is a good choice. You can either find a cheap option Helio X30 because it is a lot cheaper than Snapdragon 835, and delivers measurable performance.
Further, Both the processor support either up to the 32MP single rear camera or Dual 16MP + 16MP cameras combination. These two grabbed some useful camera options included Hybrid Autofocus, Optical Zoom, Hardware Accelerated Face Detection and HDR Video Recording. Regarding storage, The Helio X30 can manage up to 8GB LPDDR4X RAM whereas Snapdragon 835 has given support of dual channel LPDDRX RAM as much needed.
When it comes to displaying resolution, These two are capable of featuring up 2160 x 3840 pixels UHD 4K panel with video recording allowance of up to 4K @30fps either. The Snapdragon 835 proceeds with X16 LTE modem with download speed up to 1000Mbps (Cat16) and upload speed max. 150Mbps (Cat13). Besides, Helio X30 has 450Mbps (Cat10) DL speed and UL races up to 150Mbps (Cat13). Both have advanced Bluetooth 5.0 support.
Recommended:
- MediaTek Helio X23 (MT6797D) vs Snapdragon 625 Comparison
- MediaTek Announced Helio X30 10nm Deca-Core SoC with up to 8GB RAM support
- Meizu Pro 7 and 7 Plus with Dual Super AMOLED displays, Dual Cameras announced Officially
- HTC U11 with Snapdragon 835, Edge Sense squeeze interaction, 6GB RAM announced
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 based on Samsung’s 10nm process announced with quick charge 4.0
- Xiaomi Mi 6 goes official having Snapdragon 835 processor and 6GB RAM
- Sony Xperia XZ Premium with 4K HDR display, Snapdragon 835 announced at MWC 2017
- OnePlus 5 Announced with Dual rear camera and 5.5 inches 1080p Full HD AMOLED display
- Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus with QHD+ display, IP68 Rating, Irish Scanner, Bixby Virtual Assistant announced
Conclusion
The Snapdragon 835 undoubtedly is a more advanced chipset but Expensive too. A normal consumer can’t spend that much money. For those, who want to encounter seamlessly buttery smooth experience at a cheaper price they can definitely proceed through Helio X30 powered device.
However, Gaming shouldn’t be that great but has a powerful CPU on Helio X30. If you are getting a reasonable deal with X30 than go ahead but not eventually comparable to Snapdragon 835, it does for some reason but All in All, Snapdragon 835 is an advanced SoC, specially designed for 2017 flagships.
