The benchmark scores for Qualcomm’s next-generation mid-range chip, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 5, have been published on Geekbench. This results revealed that while improvements in CPU performance are limited, there have been significant upgrades in graphics and connectivity.

Next-generation mid-range SoC debuts on Geekbench

On July 1, 2026, the benchmark site Geekbench published test results using the unreleased Honor device “BSN-AN00”,,。 This device is speculated to be the Honor X80 Pro Max, equipped with the new Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 chip,,。 Benchmark results showed a single-core score of 1,095 and a multi-core score of 3,355,,。 This test device was equipped with 8GB of RAM and was confirmed to run the latest Android 16 OS. This result, as actual device data appeared shortly after Qualcomm officially announced the chip on May 6, 2026, has attracted significant attention among technology enthusiasts worldwide,,。

Current CPU Performance Comparison with the Previous Generation

Comparing the newly released Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 scores with the previous generation Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 reveals some very interesting facts. The Honor Magic 8 Lite with the previous generation chip scored 1,112 for single-core and 3,124 for multi-core. In other words, the new generation Gen 5 lags slightly behind the previous generation in single-core performance, with only a few percent higher multi-core performance,,。 The CPU configuration consists of four performance cores up to 2.6 GHz and four efficiency cores up to 2.0 GHz, for a total of 8 cores. Although the clock frequency has improved, the actual performance remains almost unchanged. While some users have expressed disappointment in this result, there is still potential for scores to improve through future software optimizations,,。

The full picture of the evolved GPU and connectivity performance

The Impact of a 21% Improvement in Rendering Performance and Its Impact on Gaming

While CPU performance remains flat, Qualcomm highlights a significant improvement in graphics performance as the highlight of this chip. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 is equipped with the new Adreno 812 GPU, delivering a 21% performance boost over the previous generation,,。 This results in smoother rendering in 3D games and is said to reduce screen stutter by about 18%,,。 Furthermore, the introduction of Qualcomm Adaptive Performance Engine 4.0 has made it possible to maintain stable frame rates even during extended gaming sessions,,。 It also features Snapdragon Game Super Resolution, which allows you to upscale resolution while reducing battery consumption, offering an immersive experience. The image below shows the official logo image of the Snapdragon 6 Gen 5.

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First mid-range Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0 adoption

In terms of connectivity performance, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 has made an extraordinary leap as a mid-range chip. Most notably, it is the first mid-range chip to support the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard,,。 This enables extremely fast communication speeds of up to 5.8 Gbps in supported environments. Additionally, Bluetooth 6.0 is adopted for the first time, and Channel Sounding technology enables precise distance measurement and location determination with peripherals such as wireless earphones,,。 For audio, it supports Qualcomm XPAN technology, allowing you to enjoy high-quality music uninterrupted over Wi-Fi even when moving to another room away from your smartphone,,。 These features are luxurious specs previously reserved only for flagship high-end chips, suggesting that even affordable smartphones can deliver premium experiences.

Improved power efficiency with 4nm process

Steady advancements are also evident in terms of power efficiency. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 is manufactured using TSMC’s 4nm process technology, resulting in an 8% improvement in overall power efficiency compared to the previous generation,,。 According to Qualcomm’s internal tests, this efficiency improvement can extend usage time by about 2 hours for music streaming and about 38 minutes for gameplay. Additionally, the adoption of the Snapdragon Smooth Motion UI speeds up app launch speeds by 20%, achieving both responsiveness and power efficiency for everyday operations,,。 This allows users to enjoy AI camera features and multitasking for extended periods without worrying about running out of battery,,。

Concerns and Future Outlook

Spec Setbacks and the Mystery of USB 2.0

Alongside advanced evolution, there are also some strange specification changes pointed out by technical experts, known as regressions. One particularly controversial issue is the downgrade of the USB standard. The previous generation Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 supported USB 3.2 Gen 1, but Gen 5 has regressed to USB 2.0,,。 This significantly reduces data transfer speeds over wired and is likely to render video output to external displays unusable. Additionally, the ISP (Image Processing Processor) has been changed from triple to dual, and the maximum 5G download speed has been slightly reduced from 2.9 Gbps to 2.8 Gbps. These setbacks are believed to be the result of cost adjustments aimed at targeting the cheaper value-premium market, but for some heavy users, they may be a concern that makes them hesitant to upgrade,,。

Future developments and expectations for the devices on board

Commercial devices equipped with the Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 are scheduled to be released sequentially in the global market starting in the latter half of 2026. Major manufacturers such as Honor, REDMI, OPPO, realme, and Xiaomi have already announced their adoption, and popular models like the Redmi Note series are expected to feature it,,,。 In particular, the Honor X80 Pro Max featured in this benchmark is rumored to feature an astonishing 11,000 mAh battery, which, combined with the new chip’s power efficiency, could deliver outstanding battery life. While the pure CPU performance boost is modest, the chip plays a significant role in rapidly popularizing cutting-edge connectivity technologies like Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0 in the mid-range market,,。

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