Qualcomm today expanded its 600 series of Snapdragon chips with the new Snapdragon 660 and Snapdragon 630 platforms. The big story about these chips is the inclusion of Qualcomm technologies that was previously reserved for the top-end 800 series. For instance, the updated 600 platform now comes with Spectra camera ISP along with the Hexagon 680 DSP that improve the overall imaging quality.
The processors also come with Kryo, X12 LTE modem that supports speeds of up to 600Mbps down, All-Ways Aware sensor hub and Machine Learning support.
Taking over from the Snapdragon 653 and Snapdragon 625, the new octa-core processors are based on 14nm FinFET technology and boasts a 20 percent performance improvement and 30 percent improved graphics for the 660 when compared to the 653 while the 630 boasts a 30 percent CPU and 10 percent GPU boost when pit against its predecessor.
Another interesting addition is the support for Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 4, which if, enabled by the OEM, will give users 5 hours of talk time in 5 minutes of charge and about 50 percent in just 15 minutes.
According to Qualcomm, Snapdragon 660-powered devices should reach the retail market before Q2 2017 whereas 630-powered devices will come to the market sometime in Q3 2017.