Targetting the mid-range and entry-level phones
Qualcomm just announced four new chipsets, or two new Snapdragon chipsets and two Plus versions of existing chips. The focus is primarily on 5G connectivity, but there is a new 4G-only option. In addition, three of the four make use of a current (but not prohibitively expensive) 6 nm node.
Snapdragon 778G+
The original Snapdragon 778G was quite popular among the higher-end mid-rangers, and we expect this new processor to be even more so. It’s still made using a 6 nm technology, but it’s been tweaked to allow for faster clock rates.
The Kryo 670 Prime core now operates at a speed of 2.5 GHz (up from 2.4 GHz). The Adreno 642L GPU has also gotten a bump, guaranteeing a 20 percent increase in performance. The remainder is the same as previously, with an X53 5G modem that can handle up to 3.7 Gbps downlinks and 1.6 Gbps uplinks, a triple IPS (Spectra 570L), and so on.
Snapdragon 695
This is a successor to the Snapdragon 690, this time with support for mmWave 5G. (which the 690 lacks). This should make the new chip popular with carriers pushing their mmWave networks, although there are some performance improvements as well.
Additionally, the Snapdragon 695 boosts CPU and GPU performance by up to 15% and 30%, respectively. This is because it uses the newer Kryo 660 CPU cores (vs. 560 on the previous chip) and the Adreno 619 GPU (vs. 619L).
Another important component of the changes in the node, which is a 6-nanometer chip that replaces the earlier 8-nanometer chip, which could improve energy efficiency.
Snapdragon 680
This is a miss or hit situation. The Snapdragon 680 has a 4G LTE modem, it will be used in basic mid-range smartphones. The entire thing is a mash-up of ancient and new elements.
It’s made on the same 6nm node as its siblings, for starters. It does, however, use Kryo 265 CPU cores, which are likely improved versions of the Kryo 260 processors found in the Snapdragon 662. (an 11 nm chip). This one uses the same Adreno 610 GPU as the previous one.
On a more upbeat note, cameras will be served by a triple ISP, a Spectra 346. Outside of high-end designs, triple ISPs are uncommon; they allow the chipset to handle visual data from three cameras at the same time.
Snapdragon 480+
The Snapdragon 480 was Qualcomm’s first 400-series chipset to have a 5G modem, making it popular among lower-cost 5G phones. This one is similar to the last one, but it is faster.
The Snapdragon 480+ is still an 8nm chip with Kryo 460 CPU cores and an Adreno 619 GPU from last year. However, the primary CPU has been increased to 2.2 GHz (from 2.0 GHz), and the GPU has been improved as well.
The Snapdragon 680 can only handle 1080p+ monitors at 90Hz, whereas this chip can do it at 120Hz. Then there’s next-generation connectivity: the 480+’s X51 modem supports both sub-6 and mmWave 5G networks. The Snapdragon 680 is likely to be more power-efficient, but the 480+ is likely to be faster. The price of each chip will also impact smartphone manufacturers’ decisions.
The Snapdragon 480+ has piqued the curiosity of HMD Global, the current home of Nokia phones (it has already used the original 480 in several models). Oppo appears to be eyeing the Snapdragon 695 for its mmWave support. Xiaomi has indicated an interest in the Snapdragon 695 and Snapdragon 778G+ processors.
It’s unclear when the first devices with the new chipsets will be available. Because the Plus models use the same hardware as the standard models, they should be available before the brand new variants. In any case, new phones using these CPUs are expected from the aforementioned manufacturers, as well as Motorola, Vivo, and Honor.
Also read : Oppo And Vivo May Be Pressured By India To Quit Using Their Chinese Distribution Partners
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