Qualcomm has announced that it has introduced four Snapdragon processors, aimed at enhancing user experience and connectivity for high-performance and high-volume mobile devices. The Snapdragon 620 and 618 processors feature improved performance with integrated 64-bit ARM Cortex A-72 CPUs and the X8 LTE modem, whilst the 425 and 415 processors both feature octa-core CPUs.
The Snapdragon 425 doubles LTE download and upload speeds with the X8 LTE modem, and offers advanced camera features with dual ISPs and high-fidelity audio. The Snapdragon 415 processor integrates X5 LTE, supporting download speeds of up to 150Mb/s.
As part of this announcement, Qualcomm also has extended its flagship brand, Snapdragon, to its discrete modem chipsets, and introduced LTE modem classes (including X8 and X5) across its latest SoC and discrete modem products for mobile devices. The X8 LTE modem, which supports both downlink and uplink Carrier Aggregation, supporting peak download speeds of up to 300Mb/s and upload speeds of up to 100Mb/s. X8 LTE connectivity supports wideband (up to 40MHz) downlink and uplink carrier aggregation for the first time in the 600 and 400 tiers. X5 LTE, found in the Snapdragon 415, features integrated 4G LTE Cat 4.
The Snapdragon 620 and 618 processors also include features previously only available in the Snapdragon 800 tier, including dual ISP camera, 4K video capture and playback, HEVC hardware encoding, richer gaming with next-gen Qualcomm Adreno graphics and advanced Wi-Fi connectivity. All of the processors are designed to enhance the consumer user experience and are available with the latest camera features, fast download speeds and fast charging with Qualcomm QuickCharge 2.0 technology.
Featuring integrated 4G LTE Cat 7 with downlink speeds of up to 300Mb/s and uplink speeds of up to 100Mb/s, Snapdragon 425 is designed to support greater network speeds, stability and coverage in the high-volume segment. Together with the Qualcomm RF360 Front End Solution, the chipset supports all major modes and frequency bands across the globe, including 5-mode, as well as up-and-coming requirements such as dual SIM, LTE Broadcast and VoLTE support. With the Adreno 405 GPU, eight 64-bit ARM Cortex-A53 CPUs and a superior video engine with support for Full HD 1080p playback and hardware HEVC decode, as well as premium multimedia features such as dual-ISP camera and high-fidelity audio, the Snapdragon 425 is positioned to be a leader in the high-volume segment.
As 4G LTE networks ramp up speed and coverage across regions and price points, the Snapdragon 415 processor with integrated X5 LTE helps price-conscious consumers have access to LTE speeds and dependability. Designed for high-volume smartphones and tablets, the Snapdragon 415 chipset supports full HD 1080p capture and playback, eight 64-bit ARM Cortex-A53 CPU cores and Adreno 405 GPU for high quality graphics.
Qualcomm anticipates releasing the Qualcomm Reference Design (QRD) versions of the Snapdragon 620, 618, 425 and 415 processors, with support for Qualcomm RF360 Front End Solution. The QRD program offers Qualcomm’s technical innovation, easy customisation options, the Qualcomm Global Pass which features regional software packages, modem configurations, testing and acceptance readiness for regional operator requirements, and access to a broad ecosystem of hardware component vendors and software application developers. Under the QRD program, customers can rapidly deliver differentiated smartphones to value-conscious consumers. There have been more than 1,080 public QRD-based product launches in 21 countries.
The Snapdragon 415 chipset is sampling now and expected to be in commercial devices in first half of 2015. The Snapdragon 620, 618 and 425 processors are expected to be in commercial devices in the second half of 2015.
“It has always been Qualcomm Technologies’ strategy to introduce industry-leading features first at the premium Snapdragon 800 tier design point, and then scale these features into our Snapdragon 600, 400 and 200 products, so that we can help our customers deliver great user experiences to cost-conscious consumers,” said Alex Katouzian, senior vice president, product management, Qualcomm Technologies. “We are excited to announce the Snapdragon 620 and 618 processors with next-gen graphics, camera, 4K video capture and connectivity, all premium tier features previously only found in our Snapdragon 800 class products. The Snapdragon 620 and 618 also both come with X8 LTE, as does the Snapdragon 425, marking the first time we’ve supported this amazingly fast speed at the 400 tier.”
