Qualcomm Reveals Some Details About Its New 8-Series Snapdragon Chips

Every yr, Qualcomm reveals off newer, sooner smartphone processors which can be used within the newest Android telephones. This yr is not any totally different, however Qualcomm is switching issues up. While we don’t know each element in regards to the firm’s newest Snapdragon CPU, we do know that it’ll have a brand new identify: Snapdragon 8-series.

Qualcomm is now not referring to the chips inside smartphones just like the Samsung Galaxy S21 and the OnePlus 9 Pro by three numbers (for instance, Snapdragon 888). Instead, Qualcomm will use a single digit to distinguish between generations of processors, much like how Intel categorizes its chips.

According to an official press release (there’s also a video!), Qualcomm plans to “transition to a single digit series and generation number,” starting with the Snapdragon 8-series platform. It’s additionally separated the Qualcomm and Snapdragon manufacturers. The latter will likely be a standalone product, and also you gained’t see the identify Qualcomm emblazoned on logos or graphics any longer.

It’s trimming off the surplus in different elements, too. Qualcomm will use a gold-color palette on its packaging to point its highest-performing merchandise. It’s additionally putting off the 5G branding, including that transferring ahead, “5G will be a given.”

For the uninitiated, Qualcomm’s three-digit identify was a option to establish the chip in a cellular system. In the Snapdragon 888, as an example, the first quantity is usually associated to the “tier” of the chip, like whether or not it’s flagship worthy or within the mid-range. For occasion, Snapdragon 800 referred to the household of chips to be used in high-end units, and the second-to-lowest quantity, Snapdragon 400, referred to entry-level {hardware}.

The second and third numbers sometimes check with which era and launch cycle the chip is in—the upper the final two numbers, the newer the discharge. But Qualcomm’s been nearing the top of the quantity line, so taking place to at least one digit successfully begins the depend from the start, giving the model extra runway to extend model numbers.

Qualcomm’s achieved a similar rebranding earlier than, however this time it seems like greater than only a quantity relaxation. It’s an opportunity for the model to restart because it takes on extra competitors, with corporations like Google transferring away from Snapdragon to develop customized silicon.

Manufacturers like Samsung have lengthy made their very own chips for his or her units (although Samsung makes use of Qualcomm for telephones bought within the U.S.). But the temper shifted as soon as Google introduced it will customise its personal SoC to advance the AI in its Pixel lineup of telephones. And this was simply within the Android sphere. Apple has lengthy made its personal chips for iPhones, however when the corporate began growing customized silicon for Macs, it appeared the bat sign wanted for different manufacturers searching for extra management over their manufacturing lineup.

Qualcomm will supply extra particulars about its new chipset at its Snapdragon Summit on the finish of November.