Qualcomm Unveils New Snapdragon Chips for Next-Gen Laptops, Chromebooks

Qualcomm on Thursday expanded its portfolio of silicon powering Always On, Always Connected PCs by introducing the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 and Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3 compute platforms, at its Snapdragon Tech Summit 2021. The Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 is particularly designed for premium, ultra-slim fanless laptops that require each efficiency and battery effectivity. The Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3 alternatively is geared toward entry-level Windows laptops and Chromebooks. In addition to the brand new Snapdragon chips for notebooks, Qualcomm unveiled the Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 gaming platform for handheld gaming units. It additionally partnered with Razer to unveil the primary Snapdragon G3x Handheld Gaming Developer Kit as a reference design for builders.

Devices primarily based on the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 and Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3 will launch within the first half of 2022, Qualcomm mentioned. The Snapdragon G3x Handheld Gaming Developer Kit, alternatively, is now accessible for builders.

Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 specs

Qualcomm claimed that the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 is the world’s first 5nm platform for Windows PCs and Chromebooks. The new chip can also be touted to ship an as much as 85 p.c generational efficiency uplift and as much as 60 p.c higher efficiency per watt over the “competitive x86 platform.” Additionally, it’s claimed to have 3 times increased synthetic intelligence (AI) efficiency over the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 that was launched in September final yr.

Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 is touted to be the world’s first 5nm platform for Windows PCs and Chromebooks 
Photo Credit: Qualcomm

The Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 features a Kryo CPU and a Qualcomm Adreno GPU. The firm has not revealed the precise fashions, although. It, nevertheless, does declare that utilizing the brand new GPU, the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 helps gaming at full-HD together with as much as 120fps body charge. It can also be claimed to be optimised to let customers play video games as much as 50 p.c longer than the competing platforms.

Qualcomm has built-in its Hexagon processor together with the Qualcomm Sensing Hub for machine studying processes. The Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 additionally has a brand new Qualcomm Spectra ISP that’s claimed to offer improved digital camera start-up time, permitting customers to start out a video convention as much as 15 p.c quicker than the earlier era. Further, there’s a new 3A resolution to supply autofocus, auto white stability, and auto publicity. The chip additionally has the Qualcomm Noise and Echo Cancellation know-how for an improved video conferencing expertise.

To improve video conferences, the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 additionally helps as much as 4K HDR digital camera high quality and as much as 4 distinct digital camera sensors.

The chip has the Snapdragon X65 5G Modem-RF System for 5G connectivity and provides as much as 10Gbps of peak obtain velocity. Manufacturers may choose the Snapdragon X55 or Snapdragon X62 modems. You will even get Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E in addition to Bluetooth v5.1 assist.

Qualcomm has enabled the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 to assist Microsoft Secured-core PCs. There can also be a digital camera safety framework with assist for Windows Hello login and a devoted Computer Vision processor for steady authentication. The latter is claimed to allow the system to mechanically prohibit entry when a consumer leaves their machine.

The general mixture on the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 is rated to ship as much as over 25 hours of battery life on a single cost.

Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3 specs

Based on the 6nm course of, the Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3 is designed for low-cost laptops and Chromebooks. The chip is claimed to ship an as much as 60 p.c quicker CPU efficiency and as much as 70 p.c quicker GPU efficiency uplift from the Snapdragon 7c Gen 2. It additionally comes with a Qualcomm AI Engine that’s claimed to ship AI efficiency developments of as much as 6.5 Tera Operations Per Second (TOPS). Further, it introduces 5G connectivity to the entry-level phase utilizing the built-in Snapdragon X53 5G Modem-RF system.

Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3 is claimed to ship as much as 60 p.c quicker CPU efficiency over predecessor
Photo Credit: Qualcomm

The Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3 additionally comes with the FastConnect 6700 to supply Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E with speeds as much as 2.9Gbps. There can also be assist for Bluetooth v5.2.

Qualcomm has enabled assist for Windows 11 on the Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3 to carry the newest Windows expertise to the plenty. The chip additionally has an built-in Qualcomm Spectra ISP with assist for as much as three cameras at a decision of 22-megapixel or a single digital camera of as much as 64 megapixels. There can also be 4K HDR video recording assist.

Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 specs

The Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 is particularly designed for cellular avid gamers, who wish to play Android video games, content material from cloud gaming libraries, and stream video games from their residence console or PC — alongside accessing Android apps. It is provided with an Adreno GPU to allow 144fps body charge and 10-bit HDR assist. The chip additionally has Qualcomm FastConnect 6900 for Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. Gamers may get 5G assist via the Snapdragon G3x Gen 1.

Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 comes with an Adreno GPU to allow 144fps body charge and 10-bit HDR assist
Photo Credit: Qualcomm

For an enhanced expertise, the Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 consists of Snapdragon Sound know-how. This is claimed to offer a low-latency and high-quality audio output. The chip additionally has assist for AKSys for exact contact utilizing built-in controllers throughout totally different video games, the corporate.

The Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 additionally has multi-screen assist, together with the flexibility to tether to an XR viewer through USB Type-C. The system powered by the platform may work as a companion controller to a 4K TV.

Snapdragon G3x Handheld Gaming Developer Kit specs

Alongside the Snapdragon G3x chip, Qualcomm tied up with Razer to carry the Snapdragon G3x Handheld Gaming Developer Kit that makes use of the identical chip to assist builders construct newer experiences. The system comes with a 6.65-inch OLED show with full-HD+ decision and 10-bit HDR assist. It additionally features a 120Hz refresh charge.

Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 Handheld Gaming Developer Kit encompasses a 6.65-inch full-HD+ OLED show
Photo Credit: Qualcomm

The Developer Kit additionally has a 5-megapixel webcam with two microphones for permitting avid gamers to stream their video games or seize their expressions whereas enjoying their favorite video games. There can also be 5G in addition to Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E assist. Additionally, there are four-way audio system together with Snapdragon Sound to offer an enhanced audio expertise.

“Together, Qualcomm Technologies and Razer will lead the way with new and innovative solutions that push the boundaries of fidelity and quality available in portable gaming, transforming the way these games are experienced,” mentioned Min-Liang Tan, Razer co-founder and CEO, in a press release.