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Qualcomm unveils Snapdragon 450

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Now that Snapdragon 835-powered devices are hitting the market, Qualcomm is shifting its attention to its other platform tiers. They announced the Snapdragon 660 and 630 in May and now they’ve unveiled the Snapdragon 450 in the Snapdragon 400 platform tier. Catering to mid-range smartphone and tablets, the Snapdragon 450, just like its other tier siblings, is based on 14nm FinFET process that improves a lot over its predecessor, the Snapdragon 435.

The Snapdragon 450 features an octa-core ARM Cortex A53 processor with a clock speed of up to 1.8GHz and Adreno 506 GPU. In terms of performance, both CPU and GPU boast 25 percent better performance over the Snapdragon 435. The chip now supports a 60fps Full HD+ display with an aspect ratio 18:9, iris scanner support, USB 3.0 Type-C, X9 LTE modem and up to 30 percent better battery. The SD450 also supports Quick Charge 3.0 that can charge a phone from zilch to 80 percent in just 35 minutes.

Camera has got the biggest jump as it now supports dual camera of up to 13MP+13MP configuration. Additionally, there’s Live Bokeh effect, up to 21MP for a single camera configuration, Full HD video recording and playback at 60fps and HEVC encoding and decoding.

We can expect first devices powered by the new Snapdragon sometime in Q4 of this year.

Qualcomm brings high-end features to Snapdragon 660, 630

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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.

Qualcomm announces Snapdragon Wear 2100

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Snapdragon and LG have collaborated to introduce the Snapdragon Wear 2100 specially developed for smart wearables. The platform is versatile enough catering to mobile, fashion and sports demographics.

Currently, most Android watches are powered by the Snapdragon 400 which was originally designed for mobile devices. In comparison, the 2100 SoC (System on Chip) is 30% smaller, uses 25% lesser power and has a new LTE modem with integrated GNSS. Also included is an ultra low power sensor, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. These improvements will lead to slimmer devices with a longer lasting battery life.

The technology is expected to appear soon in next generation smart watches, bands, eyewear and headset segments.

[Via Qualcomm]

Qualcomm reveals next generation mainstream processors

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Qualcomm Technologies has introduced three new processors to its Snapdragon line-up namely the Snapdragon 625, 435 and 425.

The 625 is a higher end processor capable of rendering PC-class graphics with the Adreno 506 GPU designed to support the Vulkan API. The 435 is a mid segment processor integrating the X8 LTE modem making it first in its class to do so with Adreno 505 GPU. The 425 is an entry level processor with the Adreno 308 GPU and has been made keeping in mind emerging regions.

The processors incorporate advanced technologies including support for LTE with carrier aggregation, Snapdragon All Mode, support for 802.11ac with MU-MIMO, dual camera image signal processors (ISPs), TruSignal technology for improved call reliability, Hexagon DSP for power efficient audio with sensor hub to meet Android M sensor requirements, Qualcomm Quick Charge and a comprehensive reference design.

All 3 are software compatible with each other and expected in commercial devices by Q3-Q4 2016.

[Via Qualcomm]