Qualcomm is updating its Snapdragon branding to try to simplify its chip names

Qualcomm has announced some key changes to the way it manufacturers its Snapdragon chips, together with a shift away from the three-digit numbering system it’s been utilizing to distinguish between its merchandise for years. The information comes forward of the corporate’s anticipated next-gen flagship chip debut on the Snapdragon Tech Summit on November thirtieth.

To begin, Snapdragon will now exist as a standalone model, separate from the “Qualcomm” model (which received’t be displaying up as a lot on its chips). It’s a path the corporate has began shifting in earlier this yr (the Snapdragon 888 Plus badge, for instance, notably lacked the phrase “Qualcomm”), however immediately’s information solidifies that plan going ahead.

But the largest change is likely to be in how the corporate handles really naming its semiconductor merchandise. For years, Qualcomm has labeled its chips with three-digit names, just like the Snapdragon 480, Snapdragon 765, or Snapdragon 888. The first quantity broadly knowledgeable prospects how highly effective the chip was (with the 8-series chips serving as flagships, whereas 4-series fashions have been for entry-level merchandise). The second quantity usually indicated annual generational releases (going from a Snapdragon 865 to an 875), whereas adjustments within the third quantity typically confirmed extra minor updates (just like the Snapdragon 765G to the Snapdragon 768G).

The downside, although, is that along with being barely jargony and complicated to maintain observe of, Qualcomm can be merely working out of numbers in its naming scheme. The 8-series lineup hit Snapdragon 888 final yr, the 7-series is already at Snapdragon 780, and the 6-series is already on the brink with the Snapdragon 695.

Going ahead, although, Qualcomm says that it’ll be shifting to “a single-digit series and generation number, aligning with other product categories,” beginning with the upcoming announcement of its subsequent 8-series flagship (which had beforehand been anticipated to be referred to as the Snapdragon 898, based mostly on Qualcomm’s previous sample). Qualcomm already makes use of a generational naming scheme for its Snapdragon PC processors, just like the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 or the Snapdragon 7c Gen 2, too, so the change isn’t popping out of nowhere.

Unfortunately, Qualcomm isn’t really saying what that new branding scheme might be, though that announcement is anticipated to come back on the Snapdragon Tech Summit subsequent week. Instead, the corporate has printed a vague hype reel that options the quantity eight lots to tease out the brand new, top-secret naming scheme.

In addition to the as-yet-unrevealed naming scheme, Qualcomm additionally introduced a number of different particulars about its Snapdragon branding plan. Going ahead, the corporate plans to emphasise the usage of gold to point top-tier flagship merchandise. It’s going to cease explicitly calling out 5G on chips, noting that “5G has become ubiquitous” throughout its product lineup and might be “a given.”