Qualcomm has just announced four new Snapdragon chipsets – two new chipsets and two Plus versions of existing chips. The emphasis is primarily on 5G connectivity, though there is a new option for 4G-only requirements. Furthermore, three of the four make use of a modern (but not overly expensive) 6 nm node.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+
The original Snapdragon 778G proved to be quite popular among the more premium breed of mid-range smartphones, and we anticipate that this new chip will be even more so. It is manufactured on a 6 nm process, as before, but it has been refined to allow for faster clock speeds.
The Kryo 670 Prime core is now clocked at 2.5 GHz (up from 2.4 GHz). Additionally, the Adreno 642L GPU has been improved, promising a 20% increase in performance. The rest is the same as before, with an X53 5G modem capable of up to 3.7 Gbps downlinks and 1.6 Gbps uplinks, a triple IPS (Spectra 570L), and so on.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 695
This is a successor to the Snapdragon 690, with mmWave 5G support (which the 690 lacks). This should make the new chip popular among carriers promoting their mmWave networks, but there are also some significant performance improvements.
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The Snapdragon 695 also improves CPU and GPU performance by up to 15% and 30%, respectively. This is due to the upgrade to the newer CPU cores Kryo 660 (vs. 560 on the older chip) and Adreno 619. (vs. 619L).
Another significant component of the upgrades is the node, which is a 6 nm chip that replaces the older 8 nm chip, which should improve energy efficiency.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 680
Pay attention now, because things are about to get a little messy. Because the Snapdragon 680 includes a 4G LTE modem, it will be used in basic mid-range devices. The entire thing is a mash-up of old and new features.
To begin, it is manufactured on the same 6nm node as its siblings. It does, however, use Kryo 265 CPU cores, which are presumably upgraded versions of the Kryo 260 cores used in the Snapdragon 662. (an 11 nm chip). This one also has the Adreno 610 GPU.
On a positive note, cameras will be serviced by a triple ISP, a Spectra 346. Outside of high-end designs, triple ISPs are uncommon; they allow the chipset to process image data from three cameras at the same time.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+
The original Snapdragon 480 was Qualcomm’s first 400-series chipset to include a 5G modem, making it a common sight on lower-cost 5G phones. This one is essentially the same as the previous one, but it is faster.
The Snapdragon 480+ is still an 8nm chip with Kryo 460 CPU cores and an Adreno 619 GPU from the previous generation. The primary CPU, on the other hand, now runs at 2.2 GHz (up from 2.0 GHz), and the GPU has been accelerated as well.
This chip is capable of driving 1080p+ displays at up to 120Hz, whereas the Snapdragon 680 is only capable of 90Hz. Then there’s the next-generation connectivity – the 480+’s X51 modem supports both sub-6 and mmWave 5G networks.
We’ll have to wait for real-world results, but the Snapdragon 680 is likely to be more power-efficient, while the 480+ is faster. The price of each chip will also influence smartphone manufacturers’ decisions.
You can read quotes from Qualcomm’s partners by clicking on the source link. It’s mostly fluff, but some manufacturers do show a preference for specific chips. HMD Global, the company that currently manufactures Nokia phones, is interested in the Snapdragon 480+. (it has already used the original 480 in several models). Oppo appears to be targeting the Snapdragon 695 for the additional mmWave support. Xiaomi has expressed interest in the Snapdragon 695 and Snapdragon 778G+.
It’s unclear when the first devices with the new chipsets will be available. Because the Plus models are essentially the same hardware, they should be available before the brand new designs. In any case, expect new phones with these chips from the aforementioned manufacturers as well as Motorola, Vivo, and Honor.
