MediaTek Helio G92 Max vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 685

Smartphone chipsets are the heart of modern devices, affecting everything from performance to power efficiency. As smartphones continue to evolve, processors become increasingly important for enhancing user experience, especially in mid-range devices where users often look for a balance of power, price, and features. The MediaTek Helio G92 Max and Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 are two such processors gaining traction in the mid-range market, offering competitive performance, power efficiency, and gaming capabilities.

This article dives deep into a comprehensive comparison between the MediaTek Helio G92 Max and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 685. By examining architecture, benchmarks, gaming performance, power efficiency, and more, we will help you decide which chipset suits your needs for your next smartphone.

Architecture and Core Specifications

MediaTek Helio G92 Max

The MediaTek Helio G92 Max is an enhanced version of the G90 series, with improvements designed for mid-range smartphones that demand high gaming performance and multitasking capabilities. It features an octa-core architecture, with four Cortex-A76 cores running at 2.5 GHz for high performance and four Cortex-A55 cores running at 2.0 GHz for efficiency. These cores are based on a 12nm manufacturing process, making the chip slightly less energy-efficient compared to newer processors.

• CPU: 8 cores (4x Cortex-A76, 4x Cortex-A55)
• GPU: Mali-G76 MC4
• Process Node: 12nm
• AI Engine: MediaTek APU 2.0

This architecture focuses on providing a balance between raw power and efficiency, making it a good fit for users who enjoy gaming and multitasking.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 685

On the other hand, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 follows the design principles of mid-range smartphones but is built on the more modern 6nm process for better energy efficiency. This chipset features an octa-core CPU with 4x Kryo 265 performance cores clocked at 2.8 GHz and 4x Kryo 265 efficiency cores clocked at 1.9 GHz. Built on a 6nm process, the Snapdragon 685 is optimized for power efficiency, ensuring longer battery life.

• CPU: 8 cores (4x Kryo 265, 4x Kryo 265)
• GPU: Adreno 610
• Process Node: 6nm
• AI Engine: Qualcomm AI Engine

The smaller fabrication process in the Snapdragon 685 provides a significant advantage in terms of thermal management and power efficiency, contributing to better performance per watt.

Benchmark Comparisons

AnTuTu Scores

AnTuTu benchmarks offer a clear picture of overall chipset performance, encompassing CPU, GPU, and memory speeds.

• Helio G92 Max: Typically scores between 240,000 to 257,000 points in AnTuTu, making it a solid performer in the mid-range segment. The strong GPU (Mali-G76) ensures high performance in gaming and graphics-heavy tasks.
• Snapdragon 685: While the Snapdragon 685 scores around 200,000 to 290,000 points, its efficient power management and 6nm process ensure that it offers great performance with better battery longevity.
  

  Antutu Benchmark Scores
  Benchmark	Helio G92 Max	Snapdragon 685
  Antutu Benchmark Scores	256711	289664

The Snapdragon 685’s 6nm process and power optimization provide an edge in terms of power efficiency and device longevity.

Geekbench Results

Geekbench provides insights into single-core and multi-core CPU performance, which is vital for day-to-day tasks and apps.

• Helio G92 Max: In Geekbench 5, the Helio G92 Max scores approximately 500 (single-core) and 1350 (multi-core). This makes it an excellent choice for multitasking and gaming where high performance is necessary.
• Snapdragon 685: The Snapdragon 685 delivers slightly lower results, with a single-core score of 400 and multi-core score of 1600. However, these scores are still competitive within the mid-range category.

Gaming Benchmarks

Frame Rates in PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, and More

• Helio G92 Max: This processor offers average gaming performance, but fall short when it comes to handling frame-intensive games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile . Expect 22-50 FPS on high settings in PUBG Mobile, making it a great option for mobile gamers.
• Snapdragon 685: The Adreno 610 GPU in the Snapdragon 685 offers 23-60 FPS in similar titles on high settings. The performance is good for when handling more demanding games.
  

  Gaming Test Performance Benchmark
  Benchmark	Helio G92 Max	Snapdragon 685
  Gaming Test Scores for PUBG, Fortnite and Call of Duty	48fps, 22fps, 35fps	59fps, 23fps, 60fps

   

Heat and Thermal Throttling During Gaming Sessions

• Helio G92 Max: Due to the 12nm fabrication process, it tends to heat up during prolonged gaming sessions, which can lead to slight thermal throttling. However, its gaming-oriented optimizations ensure that performance doesn’t degrade dramatically.
• Snapdragon 685: The 6nm process of the Snapdragon 685 makes it less prone to overheating, providing more consistent performance with less thermal throttling.

Power Efficiency

Impact of Fabrication Technology

• Helio G92 Max (12nm Process): The 12nm process in the Helio G92 Max means that while it can perform powerfully, it may not be as energy-efficient as newer chipsets. This can result in higher power consumption and shorter battery life, especially during intense tasks like gaming.
• Snapdragon 685 (6nm Process): The 6nm process used in the Snapdragon 685 improves both power efficiency and thermal performance. This leads to longer battery life and better heat management, ensuring that the device remains cool and efficient during extended use.

Battery Optimization

• Helio G92 Max: Real-world battery performance is strong, but intensive tasks like gaming can drain the battery faster. Under lighter tasks like video streaming and web browsing, the Helio G92 Max performs decently but still requires more frequent charging compared to the Snapdragon 685.
• Snapdragon 685: The power-efficient 6nm process results in superior battery optimization for everyday tasks, including video streaming, gaming, and standby mode. Users can expect up to 15-20% longer battery life on Snapdragon 685-powered devices compared to those with the Helio G92 Max.

Graphics and Gaming

Gaming Performance

• Helio G92 Max: With the Mali-G76 MC4 GPU, this chipset excels in GPU-intensive tasks. It delivers more stable frame rates and better rendering, making it ideal for gamers occasionally and who prioritize high-quality graphics and consistent frame rates.
• Snapdragon 685: While the Adreno 610 GPU in the Snapdragon 685 offers decent performance. It has better performance than MediaTek Helio G92. PUBG, Fortnite and Call of Duty gamers will find it more useful for light-to-moderate gaming.

3DMark Scores

• Helio G92 Max: Scores are generally around 3500-3800 in 3DMark tests, indicating its superior graphical capabilities compared to many other mid-range processors.
• Snapdragon 685: Scores range around 3000-3200, which is still competitive but reflects a less powerful GPU when compared to the Helio G92 Max.

Connectivity and Network

Both processors offer solid connectivity features, but there are a few differences:

• Helio G92 Max: Supports 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), and Bluetooth 5.0, which is adequate for most users but doesn’t support the latest Wi-Fi standards.
• Snapdragon 685: Also supports 4G LTE, but it does have Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.1, giving it a slight edge in terms of faster wireless speeds and more stable connections.

Multimedia Support

Camera Capabilities

• Helio G92 Max: Capable of supporting up to 64 MP cameras, with enhanced AI-powered photography features for better image quality, especially in low-light conditions.
• Snapdragon 685: Also supports up to 64 MP cameras, with strong ISP (Image Signal Processing) capabilities but lacks some of the advanced AI-based camera features found in the Helio G92 Max.

Display Support

• Helio G92 Max: Supports 90Hz displays and full HD+ resolution.
• Snapdragon 685: Similarly, supports 90Hz refresh rates and FHD+ displays, but the Helio G92 Max generally offers better display optimizations.

Device Availability and Market Presence

Both chipsets are popular in a variety of smartphones:

• Helio G92 Max: Seen in devices such as the Realme Narzo 60 and Infinix Note 12 Pro.
• Snapdragon 685: Found in phones like the Redmi Note 12 series and POCO X5.

Pros and Cons

Helio G92 Max Pros:

• Lower gaming performance compared to the Helio G92 Max.
• Superior multitasking capabilities.
• AI-enhanced camera features.

Helio G92 Max Cons:

• Less power-efficient, leading to shorter battery life.
• Higher thermal output under heavy usage.

Snapdragon 685 Pros:

• Excellent power efficiency with better thermal management.
• Strong gaming performance and graphical rendering
• Longer battery life, especially in light-to-moderate usage scenarios.
• Enhanced wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1).

Snapdragon 685 Cons:

• Slightly weaker GPU rendering.

Our Take

Choosing between the MediaTek Helio G92 Max and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 depends on your usage. The Helio G92 Max is suitable for non-gamers and average users on a budget, offering decent performance for everyday tasks.

On the other hand, the Snapdragon 685 is a better choice for gamers, delivering higher performance and smoother graphics rendering for more demanding applications. Its 6nm manufacturing process also ensures power efficiency, making it ideal for those seeking both performance and longer battery life.

Recommendation:

• For gamers and those who need high graphical performance, the Helio G92 Max is the better choice.
• For users prioritizing battery life and efficient power use, the Snapdragon 685 excels.ALSO READ: Smartphone Processors Ranking List (Updated 2024)