Helio G96 vs Snapdragon 695: Who is better?
The MediaTek Helio G96 and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 are two competitive mid-range mobile processors launched in 2021. While the G96 is designed as a capable 4G chipset, the Snapdragon 695 serves as an affordable entry-level 5G solution. Both processors deliver a strong combination of performance and energy efficiency, ensuring smooth gaming, high-quality multimedia playback, and reliable handling of daily tasks for budget-conscious users. They are one of the good processors of the mid-range smartphone. Both processors offer a good balance of performance and features, but there are some key differences between them.
Specifications
The Helio G96 is built on a 12nm manufacturing process and has an octa-core CPU consisting of two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at up to 2.05GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores clocked at up to 2GHz. The GPU is a Mali-G57 MC2 clocked at up to 950MHz. The Helio G96 also supports LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage.
The Snapdragon 695 is built on a 6nm manufacturing process and has an octa-core CPU consisting of two Cortex-A78 cores clocked at up to 2.2GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores clocked at up to 1.7GHz. The GPU is an Adreno 619 clocked at up to 900MHz. The Snapdragon 695 also supports LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage.
Performance
The MediaTek Helio G96 and Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 are both mid-range mobile processors designed for budget-friendly gaming smartphones, but they differ significantly in architecture and performance. The Helio G96, built on a 12nm process, features an octa-core CPU with two Cortex-A76 performance cores (up to 2.05GHz) and six Cortex-A55 efficiency cores. In contrast, the Snapdragon 695 uses a more efficient 6nm process and employs a similar octa-core setup but with two Cortex-A78 cores (up to 2.2GHz) and six Cortex-A55 cores. The A78's superior IPC (instructions per cycle) gives the Snapdragon 695 a noticeable edge in CPU-bound tasks, especially in sustained performance scenarios.
When it comes to GPU performance, the Helio G96 integrates a Mali-G57 MC2 GPU clocked at up to 950MHz, while the Snapdragon 695 uses an Adreno 619. Benchmark tests show that the Adreno 619 delivers around 15-20% better graphics performance in titles like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty: Mobile. The Snapdragon also supports higher display refresh rates (up to 120Hz vs the Helio's 120Hz theoretical limit but often limited to 90Hz in real-world implementations) and offers better driver optimization for smoother gameplay in demanding titles.
Thermal performance and power efficiency are other critical differentiators. Thanks to its 6nm manufacturing process, the Snapdragon 695 maintains lower temperatures during extended gaming sessions compared to the 12nm Helio G96. This translates to more consistent performance and less throttling. In battery life tests with similar capacity batteries, Snapdragon 695-powered devices typically last 10-15% longer during gaming, making it the better choice for mobile gamers who prioritize endurance.
Battery life
The Helio G96 has a slight edge over the Snapdragon 695 in terms of battery life. The Helio G96's 12nm manufacturing process is more power efficient than the Snapdragon 695's 6nm manufacturing process. This means that the Helio G96 will offer better battery life in everyday tasks such as browsing the web and checking email. For example, the Blackview BV8800 rugged smartphone is one of the best battery life smartphones in the market.
Connectivity
In terms of connectivity and additional features, the Snapdragon 695 pulls ahead with support for faster 5G networks (while the Helio G96 is limited to 4G LTE), Wi-Fi 5 (vs the Helio's Wi-Fi 5), and Bluetooth 5.2 (vs 5.1). The Snapdragon also benefits from Qualcomm's better software support and more frequent driver updates. While both chips can handle casual and moderate gaming well, the Snapdragon 695 emerges as the superior choice for serious mobile gamers who want better graphics, thermals, and future-proof connectivity. Of cause, only for casual and moderate games.
Price
The Helio G96 and the Snapdragon 695 are priced similarly. The Helio G96 is typically found in smartphones that cost around $200-$300, while the Snapdragon 695 is typically found in smartphones that cost around $250-$350.
Conclusion
The MediaTek Helio G96 and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 are both good mid-range mobile processors. The Snapdragon 695 has a slight edge in terms of performance and connectivity, while the Helio G96 has a slight edge in terms of battery life. Ultimately, the best processor for you will depend on your individual needs and budget.
Additional considerations
In addition to the factors mentioned above, you may also want to consider the following when choosing between the Helio G96 and the Snapdragon 695:
- The camera: The Helio G96 has a better image signal processor (ISP) than the Snapdragon 695, which means that it can take better photos and videos.
- The display: The Helio G96 supports a higher screen refresh rate than the Snapdragon 695, which means that it can provide a smoother user experience.
- The software support: The Helio G96 is supported by a wider range of software than the Snapdragon 695, which means that you are more likely to be able to find a phone with the Helio G96 that runs the software you want.
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