Qualcomm has launched its next-gen chipset Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 at the Snapdragon Tech Summit. The chipset will power the upcoming flagship Android smartphones which should release by the end of this year, 2021. It comes with the latest Armv9 architecture and supports WiFi 6, 8K HDR video recording plus many AI and security improvements.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 will be the successor to its current flagship model Snapdragon 888. It will be using a 4nm process unlike its predecessor’s 5nm. With this new chip, Qualcomm has also changed its naming conventions.
The newly-announced chipset will focus on improvements in 6 key areas. This includes 5G connectivity, AI, security, audio, and gaming and camera sensors.
Do read: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 898 Would Come With A Major GPU Upgrade
Latest Armv9 Architecture, 8K HDR Video Recording, Etc.
The chipset comes with the latest Armv9 architecture that runs on 1+3+4. The eight-core Kryo CPU comprises a single Cortex-x2 primary core rocking at 3.0 GHz. The three Cortex-A710 cores deliver a 2.5 GHz computing proficiency. The four Cortex-A510 efficiency cores clock at 1.8 GHz. For Graphics, it comes with a new Adreno GPU which should deliver 30 percent faster graphics performance. It will also boost battery performance by 2.5 percent.
For optics, snapdragon 8 Gen 1 comes with a new imaging system that brings along an 18-bit ISP (Image Signal Processor). It means smartphones will have better dynamic range, color, and faster speeds. The chipset supports 8K HDR video recording. The photogenic will have a new Bokeh Engine that comes with Portrait Mode-style shots to video. An Always-On ISP also makes tasks such as face unlock instant.
Do not miss: MediaTek Announces Dimensity 9000 | World’s First 4nm SoC
WiFi 6/E, Bluetooth LE Audio, AI & Security
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 comes with added improvements in connectivity. It has a Snapdragon X65 modem. This is Qualcomm’s 4th gen 5G modem built on mmWave and sub-6 GHz which delivers up to 10 Gbps speeds and adheres to the latest 3GPP Release 16 specifications.
The chip also supports WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E, which are soon-to-be WiFi norms. In addition, Bluetooth LE Audio and AptX Lossless wireless audio come along with it.
The new Trust Management Engine will take the responsibility for enhanced security. Android Ready SE brings wide-ranging protection from digital care keys, to driver’s licenses, IDs digital wallets, and etc. The chipset also comes with the next-gen iSIM system which allows smartphone users to directly connect to cellular networks.
Qualcomm has maximized its AI capabilities with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. The chipset comes with the latest Hexagon processor with the seventh-gen AI engine. It is four times faster than the predecessor and up to 1.7 times power-friendly.
Also read: Huawei Building Its Own Chips Next Year in 2022
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1’s First Adopters
Several smartphone OEMs have already signed up to power their devices with Snapdragon’s latest and the greatest. This includes Honor, Xiaomi, iQOO, OnePlus, Redmi, Realme, Sony Corporation, Vivo, ZTE, and etc.
Chinese smartphone giant Xiaomi has confirmed that its next flagship Xiaomi 12 series will rock the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC which is just a few days ahead. So, Mi 12 will be the first device to sport this chipset. Meanwhile, Motorola’s Edge X30 series will also feature the same flagship Snapdragon chipset. The series will launch on Dec. 9.
Another Chinese smartphone OEM OPPO has announced its plans with the latest Snapdragon chipset. Although the devices are not revealed, it is expected that Find X4 Pro will launch with the SoC in concern in Q1 2022. Besides, OnePlus is also rumored to launch its OnePlus 10 series with the same SoC which should come by early next year. Realme has also confirmed that its next premium handset Realme GT 2 Pro will rock the premium Snapdragon SoC in 2022.
Do check: Best 5G Phones In Nepal | Midrange to Flagship
Vivo has also announced that its smartphones will be coming with Snapdragon’s next premium SoC. While it has not revealed more, its next flagship Nex 4, X80 Pro, and X80 Pro+ series could be the devices for the project.
In addition, Samsung’s next flagship Galaxy S22, Redmi’s Redmi K50 series, ZTE’s Axon 40 series, among others could also line up with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.
Have you used smartphones that use separate chipsets? Which stood out in your experience in terms of gaming, heating issue, camera performance, battery efficiency, and etc? Do share with us in the comments below.
