What is the difference between Dimensity 6020, 6080, Dimensity 700, 810 and Snapdragon 660, 710, 712, 695 and other processors?

The primary difference between these MediaTek Dimensity and Qualcomm Snapdragon processors lies in their architectural generation, intended market segment, and integrated technological capabilities, which collectively determine their performance, efficiency, and feature support. The Dimensity 6020 and 6080 are modern, budget-focused 5G system-on-chips (SoCs) built on a 7nm-class process, featuring Cortex-A76 performance cores and integrated 5G modems. In contrast, the Dimensity 700 and 810 are slightly older but similarly positioned 5G platforms, also on 7nm or 12nm processes, with core architectures like Cortex-A76 and A55. The Snapdragon 600 and 700 series listed, however, represent different eras: the Snapdragon 660 is a legacy 4G chip from 2017 on a 14nm process with Kryo 260 cores, while the Snapdragon 710 and 712 are subsequent 4G efficiency-focused designs on 10nm. The Snapdragon 695 is the direct competitor to the budget Dimensity 5G chips, being a 6nm 5G platform itself. The fundamental divergence is that the newer Dimensity chips and the Snapdragon 695 are designed for the 5G era with integrated modems, whereas the older Snapdragon parts are 4G-only, placing them in distinct product categories despite potentially overlapping in raw CPU benchmark scores.

Analyzing performance mechanisms, the generational leap in fabrication process and CPU microarchitecture creates a significant efficiency gap. The Dimensity 6020/6080 and Snapdragon 695, utilizing 6nm/7nm processes and more modern CPU cores like the A76 or Kryo 660, deliver substantially higher performance-per-watt than the 14nm/10nm Snapdragon 660/710/712. This translates to better sustained performance and battery life in real-world use. In graphics, the Mali-G57 MC2 in the Dimensity chips or the Adreno 619 in the Snapdragon 695 offer markedly superior GPU performance and support for higher refresh rate displays (e.g., 120Hz) compared to the older Adreno 512 or 616 in the legacy Snapdragon parts. Furthermore, the memory and storage support is more advanced in the newer chips, with the Dimensity series and Snapdragon 695 typically supporting faster LPDDR4X memory and UFS 2.2 storage, while the older Snapdragons are often paired with slower LPDDR4 and eMMC or UFS 2.0.

The implications for device selection are defined by connectivity and feature sets. A smartphone powered by a Dimensity 600-series or Snapdragon 695 processor is fundamentally a 5G-capable device with support for modern camera processing pipelines, higher-resolution displays, and contemporary connectivity standards like Wi-Fi 5 or 6. A device using a Snapdragon 660, 710, or 712 is inherently limited to 4G LTE, and its ISP and DSP capabilities are several generations older, restricting camera performance, video recording features, and AI-assisted tasks. Therefore, the choice is not merely about comparing clock speeds or core counts, but about selecting an entire platform ecosystem. The newer, connectivity-focused SoCs provide a forward-looking foundation for software updates and network relevance, while the older 4G platforms, though potentially adequate for basic tasks, are technologically obsolete for new device designs, offering value only in deeply discounted legacy markets where 5G is not a consideration.