The mid-range 5G chipset war Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 vs Mediatek Dimensity 820 is very comparing because both chipset is powerful in the range. Qualcomm has always been a step ahead of MediaTek with its more power-efficient and stable chipsets in comparison to MediaTek’s raw power chips.
The battery consumption on MediaTek chipsets is much higher compared to the Qualcomm chipsets. Hence, people choose Qualcomm chipset smartphones over Mediatek powered Smartphones. However, MediaTek certainly elevated its game when it announced its Dimensity series. Let’s took a close look at how the two 5G chipsets compare, revealing how MediaTek has gotten even serious in its quest to take on Qualcomm.
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Snapdragon 690 vs Mediatek Dimensity 820 Specifications
| Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 | Mediatek Dimensity 820 | |
| CPU Core | octa-core, Kryo 560 | octa-core |
| CPU Architecture | 2x 2.0GHz (Cortex-A77) 6x 1.7GHz (Cortex-A56) | 4x 2.6GHz (Cortex-A76) 4x 2.0GHz (Cortex-A55) |
| CPU Clock Speed | Up to 2.0GHz | Up to 2.6GHz |
| Process Technology | 8nm | 7nm FinFET |
| GPU | Adreno 619L | 5-core ARM Mali-G57 GPU |
| 5G Modem | Snapdragon X51 | Integrated |
| Machine Learning & AI | Hexagon 692 | MediaTek APU 3.0 |
| ISP | Dual 14-bit Spectra 355L | Multi-Core ISP |
| Camera Capability | Up to 192 MP photo capture, Up to 32+16 MP dual camera | Up to 80MP single camera, Up to 32+16 MP dual camera |
| Video Capability | Up to 4K HDR video capture @ 30FPS, 720p @ 240FPS slow-mo videos | Up to 4K HDR video capture @ 30FPS |
| Fast Charging | Quick Charge 4+ | N.A |
| Connectivity | WiFi 6-ready Bluetooth 5.1 | WiFi 5 Bluetooth 5.1 |
| NavIC Support | Yes | N.A |
Snapdragon 690 vs Mediatek Dimensity 820 (in Details)
1.CPU
Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 5G chipset comes with an octa-core chipset based on Kyro 560 CPU. It consists of two Cortex-A77 cores clocked at 2.0GHz, and six Cortex–A56 cores clocked at 1.7GHz. This chipset is based on 8nm technology, so this chipset facilitates intense performance with ultimate power efficiency.
Mediatek Dimensity is also an octa-core chipset with four high-performance Cortex-A76 cores clocked at up to 2.6GHz and four efficiency Cortex-A55 cores continue to be clocked at 2.0GHz.
However, the MediaTek Dimensity 820 5G chipset is based on TSMC’s 7nm FinFET process. So, it would be more power-efficient than the Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 5G.
2. GPU
Snapdragon 690 5G arrives with a new Adreno 619L GPU and according to Qualcomm, it will provide you a 60% faster graphics performance than its predecessor, the Snapdragon 675. In terms of performance, it lies between Adreno 618 GPU and Adreno 690 GPU.
While Dimensity 820 chipset comes with a 5-core ARM Mali-G57 GPU. Mediatek claims that this GPU provides up to 33% more gaming performance than direct alternatives. Also, it comes with HyperEngine 2.0 technology that provides impressive gaming experience on mid-range devices.
It’s difficult to decide which GPU is better because both MediaTek and Qualcomm have failed to share GPU clock speeds in its specifications sheets.
3. ISP (Image Signal Processor)
In terms of camera, the Snapdragon 690 5G chipset includes Spectra 355L ISP, which is a dual 14-bit ISP that supports up to 4K HDR @30FPS video recording, portrait video, 192MP image capture, and 720P @240FPS slow-mo videos.
While the MediaTek Dimensity 820 includes an HDR-native flagship-level ISP that supports up to quad-camera setup and 80MP sensors. Moreover, it also supports 4K video recording @30FPS, 32MP and 16MP dual-cameras, and much more.
4. Modem
Snapdragon 690 5G is equipped with the Snapdragon X51 modem, which is capable of download up to 2.5Gbps and upload speeds up to 660Mbps respectively. Also, it supports only sub-6GHz networks and ignores high-frequency mmWave networks being deployed by AT&T and Verizon in the United States.
Mediatek Dimensity 820, on the other hand, includes the MediaTek 5G UltraSave modem along with 2CC carrier aggregation. It provides the same downloads and uploads speed as the Snapdragon X51 modem. The reason is pretty simple as both chipsets support similar bandwidths.
5. Display Support
Both the Snapdragon 690 5G and the Dimensity 820 5G chipsets support up to Full HD+ resolution and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. Although, Qualcomm has not mentioned the definite resolution and aspect ratio.
While, MediaTek, on the other hand, has revealed that 2520 x 1080 resolution panels will be compatible with its mid-range 5G chipset. High refresh rate displays will be the standard by next year and chipsets are ready to support your needs.
6. Connectivity
Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 5G chipset comes with advanced WiFi 6 technology and Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity. So, phone makers can add lacked antennas and enable high-speed WiFi on their devices.
MediaTek Dimensity 820 5G chipset, on the other hand, supports only up to WiFi 5 networks. Although, it’s not a shortcoming, as the WiFi 6 adoption is still growing and you will be fine with WiFi 5 networks. Moreover, it also supports Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity.
So, in this case, Dimensity 820 falls behind the Snapdragon 690 because of the use of advanced Wifi 6 technology.
7. AI Engine
Qualcomm may have taken massive strides on the AI front but MediaTek is not sitting ducks. The Dimensity 820 sports the MediaTek APU 3.0 (the 3rd-Gen AI processing unit) that’s responsible for handling activities such as “AI-Recognition (for example, objects, scenes, or people), AI-Super Resolution and AI-deblur functions.”
MediaTek is confident that Dimensity 820’s AI processing unit can easily beat direct competitors in benchmark performance – serving up 300% gains in comparison. The Snapdragon 690, on the other hand, packs the 5th-Gen Qualcomm AI Engine (along with Hexagon 692) for enhanced AI capabilities and low-power consumption.
