Comparing: Intel Core i5 1335U vs Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660

The Intel Core i5-1335U is a mobile processor from the Raptor Lake family, launched in 2023 and aimed at thin-and-light laptops such as ultrabooks. This processor offers a 10-core hybrid architecture, consisting of 2 Performance cores (P-cores) and 8 Efficiency cores (E-cores), delivering a total of 12 threads to handle both heavy workloads and background tasks efficiently. With boost clock speeds up to 4.6 GHz on the P-cores, the i5-1335U provides excellent responsiveness for productivity, multitasking, and modern office applications.

Built on Intel 7 (10nm Enhanced SuperFin) process technology, the i5-1335U maintains a base TDP of 15W, making it suitable for long battery life and efficient thermal management in slim devices. For graphics processing, the integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics delivers capable performance for video playback, creative work, and casual gaming, especially when paired with dual-channel memory configurations.

The i5-1335U is featured in devices like the Acer Aspire 5 A515-58P, which includes 8GB LPDDR5 RAM (non-upgradeable) and runs on Windows 11 22H2, offering a modern, smooth user experience. Overall, the Core i5-1335U is an ideal choice for students, professionals, and mobile users looking for a balance between performance and energy efficiency in daily computing.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (SDM660): A Mid-Range SoC That Redefined Mobile Performance

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 660, officially identified as SDM660, was a pivotal release in Qualcomm’s lineup when it debuted in mid-2017. It marked a major leap for the mid-range segment, introducing custom Kryo CPU cores and a stronger GPU that brought flagship-class features to affordable smartphones. Built on the 14nm FinFET process, this SoC combined efficiency, performance, and multimedia capability in a single balanced package that would go on to power dozens of popular devices worldwide.

From productivity tasks to gaming and camera performance, the Snapdragon 660 represented a turning point — setting new standards for what users could expect from non-flagship Android processors.
 

Architecture and Technical Overview

At its core, the Snapdragon 660 features an octa-core CPU arranged in a 4+4 configuration:

• 4x Kryo 260 Performance cores clocked up to 2.2 GHz, based on the ARM Cortex-A73 architecture.
• 4x Kryo 260 Efficiency cores running up to 1.84 GHz, derived from ARM Cortex-A53.

This hybrid design provides a balanced approach between performance and battery life, handling heavy apps smoothly while maintaining power efficiency for everyday use.

On the graphics side, the chip integrates an Adreno 512 GPU, offering up to 30% higher performance compared to its predecessor, the Snapdragon 653. The GPU supports OpenGL ES 3.2, Vulkan 1.0, and OpenCL 2.0, ensuring compatibility with modern rendering APIs and advanced visual effects in mobile games.
 

Benchmark and Real-World Performance

In synthetic benchmarks, the Snapdragon 660 continues to deliver competitive results within its class. Devices powered by this chip typically score around:

• 3DMark Sling Shot Extreme (OpenGL ES 3.1) –1300 points
• Geekbench 5 – 297 (single-core) and 681 (multi-core)
• AnTuTu (v10) – 197,604 points

These results place it comfortably above the Snapdragon 636 and close to the performance levels of early Snapdragon 7-series processors. The CPU’s performance remains adequate for daily multitasking, web browsing, social media, and light gaming, while the GPU still handles popular titles such as PUBG Mobile, Mobile Legends, and Genshin Impact (low settings) with reasonable frame stability.
 

Multimedia and Connectivity Features

The Snapdragon 660 includes Qualcomm’s Spectra 160 ISP, capable of supporting dual 16MP cameras or a single 24MP sensor, with advanced noise reduction and fast autofocus. Video recording supports up to 4K at 30 fps, while playback performance benefits from hardware-level H.265 (HEVC) decoding.

On the connectivity side, the Snapdragon X12 LTE modem delivers download speeds up to 600 Mbps, with 2x20 MHz carrier aggregation and 4x4 MIMO support — features that were previously exclusive to flagship models. Additional capabilities include Bluetooth 5.0, Quick Charge 4.0, and high-quality audio via the Qualcomm Aqstic DAC.
 

Conclusion: A Balanced SoC That Defined an Era

Even years after its release, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 continues to be recognized as one of the most influential mid-range SoCs in mobile history. Its combination of Kryo CPU architecture, capable Adreno GPU, and strong multimedia capabilities made it a favorite among smartphone manufacturers and users alike.

Today, it still delivers dependable performance for everyday use, making it a relevant reference point for performance benchmarking and historical comparisons in projects such as HWPure’s hardware database. The SDM660 stands as a symbol of Qualcomm’s engineering balance — where performance, efficiency, and longevity meet in one well-crafted platform.