Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 launched: Qualcomm announces new processor for flagship Android phones: All the details
The company says that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 features several technological firsts. The latest chipset is the world’s first to feature a 10 Gigabit 5G modem-RF solution as well as an 18-bit ISP. The chipset also features the company’s fastest AI Engine for mobile powered by 7thGen Qualcomm AI Engine
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is manufactured using 4nm process technology powered by Kryo CPU with Arm Cortex-X2 technology clocked at up to 3.0 GHz. The chipset is also paired with Qualcomm Adreno 660 GPU. The company says that the GPU has been re-architected to deliver 30% more power and 25% more efficiency than the predecessor.
In terms of gaming, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Mobile Platform is equipped with a full Snapdragon Elite Gaming feature that claims to bring ultra-smooth and colour rich HDR scenes. Qualcomm has also included AudioKinetic Technology and Snapdragon Sound Technology to offer a better audio experience while gaming.
As far as the camera is concerned, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 comes with Snapdragon Sight Camera Technology that includes the first 18-bit ISP. The company claims that the new technology allows capturing over 4000x more camera data than its predecessor to offer better dynamic range, colour and sharpness at speeds up to 3.2 gigapixels per second.
Smartphones will be able to capture up to 200MP photos from a single lens or up to 36MP photos from all three lenses at the same time. The new improved ISP also allows for 8K HDR video capture with claimed 64x more shades.
The new ISP also brings improved low light photography with its mega night mode that captures 30 images and merges them together to create one brighter, detailed photo without any blurs. The company has also made face detection and focusing faster than before.
Qualcomm also says that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Mobile Platform features their most advanced 5G platform with the first 3GPP Release 15 5G solution. It comes with a 4th-generation X65 5G Modem-RF system and is the world’s first 10 Gigabit 5G modem-RF solution that brings support for more 5G networks worldwide, support for all-new 5G bands, global multi-SIM support as well as improved battery life.
The Qualcomm FastConnect 6900 Mobile connectivity system supports Wi-Fi speeds up to 3.6 Gbps over Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E. The chipset also comes with Bluetooth 5.2 support with dual antenna and also includes Snapdragon Sound Technology with support for Qualcomm aptX Voice, aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive and LE audio.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 also comes with enhanced security features such as Type-1 Hypervisor, Trust Management Engine, Qualcomm wireless edge service and more. The chip also comes with QuickCharge 5 technology onboard.
(The author has travelled to Hawaii, US, on the official invite of Qualcomm)
