Four new Snapdragon chipsets unveiled for mid-range and entry-level phones
Qualcomm just unveiled four new chipsets – well, two new chipsets and two Plus versions of current chips. The focus is mostly on 5G connectivity, though there is a new option for 4G-only needs. Also, three out of the four leverage a modern (but not overly expensive) 6 nm node.
Snapdragon 778G+
The original Snapdragon 778G proved to be quite popular among the more premium breed of mid-rangers and we suspect this new chip will be even more so. As before, it is fabbed on a 6 nm process, though it has been refined to allow for higher clock speeds.
The Kryo 670 Prime core now runs at 2.5 GHz (up from 2.4 GHz). Additionally, the Adreno 642L GPU has been given a boost too, promising 20% higher performance. The rest is as before, meaning a X53 5G modem for up to 3.7 Gbps downlinks and 1.6 Gbps uplinks, a triple IPS (Spectra 570L) and so on.
Snapdragon 695
This is a follow-up to the Snapdragon 690, this time with mmWave 5G support (which the 690 lacks). This should make the new chip popular with carriers that are promoting their mmWave networks, but there are also some decent performance upgrades.
The Snapdragon 695 also improves CPU performance by up to 15% and GPU performance by up to 30%. This is because it moves up to the newer CPU cores Kryo 660 (vs. 560 for the older chip) and the Adreno 619 (vs. 619L).
Another major part of the upgrades is the node – this is a 6 nm chip, replacing the older 8 nm chip, which should be a boon for energy efficiency.
Snapdragon 680
Okay, pay attention now because things get a little messy. The Snapdragon 680 features a 4G LTE modem, so this will be used in basic mid-rangers. The whole thing is a mix of old and new features.
For starters, it is fabbed on the same 6nm node as its siblings. However, it uses Kryo 265 CPU cores, which are presumably upgraded versions of the Kryo 260 cores used most recently in the Snapdragon 662 (an 11 nm chip). This one has the same Adreno 610 GPU as well.
Things end on a positive note - cameras will be catered to by a triple ISP, a Spectra 346. Triple ISPs are pretty rare outside of high-end designs, they allow the chipset to process image data from three cameras simultaneously.
Snapdragon 480+
The original Snapdragon 480 was Qualcomm’s first 400-series chipset with a 5G modem, which made it a common sight on the more affordable 5G phones. This one is mostly the same, but faster.
The Snapdragon 480+ is still an 8nm chip with relatively old Kryo 460 CPU cores and an Adreno 619 GPU. However, the prime CPU now runs at 2.2 GHz (up from 2.0 GHz), the GPU has been sped up as well.
This chip can drive 1080p+ displays at up to 120Hz, whereas the Snapdragon 680 can only do it at 90Hz. And then there’s the next-gen connectivity – the X51 modem on the 480+ supports both sub-6 and mmWave 5G networks.
We will have to wait for real life results, but the Snapdragon 680 will probably more power efficient, while the 480+ offer more speed. How much each chip costs will also influence the choices of smartphone makers.
You can follow the Source link to read quotes from Qualcomm’s partners. It’s mostly fluff, but some makers do reveal an affinity for certain chips. HMD Global, the current home of Nokia phones, is interested in the Snapdragon 480+ (it has already used the original 480 in several models). Oppo seems to have its eye on the Snapdragon 695 for that added mmWave support. Xiaomi expressed interest in the 695 and the Snapdragon 778G+.
It’s not yet clear when we can expect the first devices with the new chipsets. The Plus models are essentially the same hardware, so they should be out the door before the brand new designs. Either way, expect new phones with these chips from the makers mentioned above as well as Motorola, vivo and Honor.
