HoYoverse has revealed the system requirements for Genshin Impact's Version 7.0, nicknamed the Snezhnaya update, which is slated for release in August 2026. While the game will receive significant visual enhancements—including upgraded character models, richer textures, and new graphical effects—PC and iOS players can breathe easy: the minimum and recommended specifications are staying exactly the same. For Android users, however, the message is stark: many older devices will no longer make the cut.
What's actually changing under the hood
The developer's announcement confirms that Version 7.0 will deliver a sweeping visual overhaul centered on the wintry region of Snezhnaya. HoYoverse is promising improved character models with higher polygon counts, more detailed environmental textures, and dynamic lighting and weather effects that bring the frozen landscape to life. These enhancements, however, are being rolled out in a way that doesn't upset the delicate balance of accessibility on most platforms.
On the PC side, the official minimum and recommended specifications remain untouched. That means the hardware bar that has served players through the Natlan and Fontaine expansions—a modest Intel Core i5-4460 or equivalent, 8 GB of RAM, and a GeForce GT 1030-class GPU—continues to be the entry point. Even the storage footprint is expected to grow only incrementally, likely staying within the 100 GB range that has become the norm for the game.
iOS devices, including iPhones and iPads, are also in the clear. Apple's limited hardware ecosystem and tight optimization have historically allowed HoYoverse to maintain consistent support across several generations of devices, and Version 7.0 doesn't change that.
The real shift is happening on Android. HoYoverse has updated the baseline requirements, effectively drawing a line in the sand for what constitutes a supported handset. While the company hasn't yet published a complete device list, the advisory indicates that devices with less than 4 GB of RAM and older GPU architectures will be left behind. This means many popular mid-range phones from 2019 and earlier, which might have run the game adequately in previous versions, could find themselves locked out or experiencing severely degraded performance.
What this means for you, depending on your platform
For PC and laptop players
If your computer ran Genshin Impact smoothly in 2025, it will handle 7.0 without a hitch. The developer's long-standing commitment to broad accessibility ensures that even budget gaming laptops and older desktop rigs remain viable. This is especially good news for casual players who don't follow hardware trends and simply want to jump into the new region on day one.
Owners of higher-end systems aren't left out, either. HoYoverse typically offers enhanced graphical options on capable hardware, including support for higher resolutions, uncapped frame rates, and effects like ambient occlusion and volumetric fog. With the updated assets, these settings should look better than ever, though the company hasn't yet detailed exact PC-specific enhancements.
One practical consideration for all PC users is storage. Major updates often require tens of gigabytes of free space during installation, so it's wise to clear out old files or invest in a larger SSD well before August 2026. Also, keeping your graphics drivers up to date will help avoid launch-day stutters.
For mobile gamers on Android
This is where the upgrade requires attention. Genshin Impact has always been one of the most demanding mobile games on the market, and Version 7.0 raises the stakes. If your Android phone has less than 4 GB of RAM or an older chipset like a Snapdragon 700 series from 2019, you're likely to be excluded entirely. Even some devices that meet the new minimums might suffer from frame rate drops, longer loading times, and overheating due to the heavier asset load.
If you're an Android gamer who has been clinging to an aging device, now is the time to plan. HoYoverse will publish a list of officially supported models closer to launch, but you can check your phone's specs now in the system settings. Pay attention to RAM, GPU model, and Android version—devices stuck on Android 11 or older are also at risk.
The silver lining is that your game progress is tied to your HoYoverse account, not the device. If you decide to upgrade your phone, switch to a tablet, or move to a different platform entirely, you'll pick up right where you left off. Cloud gaming services like GeForce Now also offer a way to play the PC version on an underpowered phone, though a reliable internet connection is a must.
For iOS and iPadOS users
Apple fans can relax. The entire lineup of iPhones from the iPhone XS/XR onward and recent iPads are expected to remain fully supported. Because Apple controls both the hardware and the graphics API (Metal), HoYoverse can optimize the game more aggressively for these devices. The iOS version may even benefit from the visual overhaul with less performance overhead than Android counterparts. Just make sure you have enough free storage—Genshin Impact's install size regularly balloons past 30 GB on mobile.
How we arrived at these modest PC demands
Genshin Impact launched in September 2020 with the explicit goal of reaching the widest possible audience. Its anime-inspired visuals masked a technically economical engine designed to scale from high-end PCs down to the Nintendo Switch-like power envelope of flagship phones. At launch, the PC minimum requirement was an Intel Core i5-2300, 8 GB RAM, and a GeForce GT 1030—numbers that were already several years old at the time.
Over the next five years, as the game expanded through Mondstadt, Liyue, Inazuma, Sumeru, Fontaine, and Natlan, the PC specs barely budged. Each major version bump brought new mechanics—gliding, sailing, underwater exploration, and fluid traversal—but optimization kept pace. Android requirements, however, did edge upward. Version 2.0 (Inazuma) began to strain phones with 3 GB RAM, and Version 3.0 (Sumeru) officially raised the minimum to 4 GB RAM, dropping support for some older devices. Version 4.0 (Fontaine) and 5.0 (Natlan) maintained that line, but community testing showed that even 4 GB devices were struggling in complex scenes.
The impending jump to 7.0 had sparked speculation that HoYoverse might finally overhaul the PC specs, especially given the visual ambition of Snezhnaya's frozen landscapes and the technical demands of snow physics and aurora effects. Instead, the company doubled down on its optimization-first philosophy, keeping the floor low for desktops and laptops while accepting that Android's hardware fragmentation forces a more aggressive culling.
What to do right now
No matter your platform, the months leading up to August 2026 offer a window to prepare.
For PC users:
- Run the current version and note your average frame rate and settings. If you're already playing on Low at 30 fps, you might just barely scrape by in 7.0. Consider a GPU upgrade if you've been eyeing one, but it's not urgent.
- Free up at least 120 GB of SSD space to accommodate the download and unpacking process.
- Update your GPU drivers (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and Windows patches to avoid compatibility snags.
For Android users:
- Check your device's specs: Settings > About Phone. Look for RAM, processor model, and Android version.
- Visit HoYoverse's official Genshin Impact website or in-game notices for the updated device list once published.
- If your current phone is borderline, reduce your in-game graphics settings now to see if performance is acceptable; 7.0 will likely be more demanding.
- Back up your account: link your game to a HoYoverse account and note your UID. This ensures you can seamlessly move to a new device later.
- Explore alternatives: if a new phone isn't in the budget, consider a gaming-focused tablet (which often offers better cooling and performance per dollar) or a shift to the PC version on a low-cost laptop. Cloud gaming via GeForce Now also works, though latency can be an issue for action-heavy combat.
For iOS users:
- You're likely fine, but clear out unused apps and media to make room for the update, which could add 10–15 GB to the existing install.
Outlook: What comes after Snezhnaya?
With Version 7.0 cemented as an accessibility-friendly release on PC, the question is whether future expansions—perhaps an 8.0 heading to Khaenri'ah or beyond—will finally push the hardware envelope. HoYoverse has shown a consistent design philosophy: prioritize the widest possible player base, and let scalable graphics settings handle the rest. Unless there is a fundamental engine change (like a move to Unreal Engine 5), the PC requirements may remain frozen for years.
Android's trajectory is trickier. As mobile chipsets continue to leap forward, the gap between modern flagships and older mid-range devices widens. HoYoverse will likely keep pruning the lower end to ensure a quality experience for the majority. Cloud gaming could become the official safety net for left-behind Android users, but for now, the message is clear: if you want to explore Snezhnaya on a phone, make sure yours is up to the task.