Qualcomm just took the stage to announce the long-rumored Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset that is going to power a number of Android flagships in the next year or so, including Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S22 series phones.
Previously rumored as Snapdragon 898, the processor got a name change, as Qualcomm decided to simplify and streamline how it calls its mobile chipsets. This, and the fact that the team from San Diego is branching out into processors for Microsoft Windows 11 devices, as well as into a gaming platform. We are most interested in the mobile applications, however, so here are the most interesting Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 details.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 vs Snapdragon 888 vs Apple A15 specs and features
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
Here's a list of the most important new Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 features:
Up to 3GHz Kryo CPU with Cortex-X2 cores.
30% faster Adreno GPU with 25% lower power consumption.
The world’s first X65 5G modem to reach 10 Gigabit download speeds.
First 18-bit image signal processor for mobile.
First 8K HDR10+ video capture for mobile.
Mega low-light capture snaps 30 images and merges the best parts into one shot.
Always-On ISP for fast face unlocking and locking.
7th Gen Qualcomm AI Engine for voice analysis and Leica Leitz Look bokeh filters.
Bluetooth Low Energy audio features like broadcasting, stereo recording, and voice back-channel for gaming.
First platform with Android Ready Secure Element support, the new standard for digital car keys or drivers’ licenses.
As for how does the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 stacks up against its Snapdragon 888 predecessor and Apple's A15 monster in the iPhone 13, here's a quick comparison of their specs and features.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
Snapdragon 888
Exynos 2100
Apple A15
Production process
Samsung 4nm EUV
Samsung 5nm EUV
Samsung 5nm EUV
TSMC 5nm 2nd gen
Processor cores
1xCortex-X2@3GHz
3xCortex-A710@2.5GHz
4xCortex-A510@1.8GHz
1x Cortex-X1@2.84GHz
3x Cortex-A78@2.42GHz
4x Cortex-A55@1.80GHz
Exynos X1@2.91GHz
3x Cortex-A78@2.8GHz
4x Cortex-A55@2.2GHz
2x Avalanche@3.23GHz
4x Blizzard@1.8GHz
GPU
Adreno 730, 30% faster and 20% more frugal
Adreno 660 @ 800MHz
ARM Mali-G78
Apple custom quad-core (5-core on the iPhone 13 Pro models)
Modem
X65 5G modem (integrated)
up to 10 Gbps over 5G
Global iSIM multi-SIM card support
X60 5G modem (integrated)
up to 7.5Gbps over 5G, and 3 Gbps download speeds on LTE
Exynos 5123 (Category 24)
Downloads up to 7.3Gbps (mmWave), 5.1Gbps (sub-6GHz), or 3Gbps (4G LTE), 8xCA
Uploads: up to 422 Mbps
Qualcomm X60 5G modem
AI co-processor
7th Gen Qualcomm AI Engine
Hexagon 780
Tri-core NPU, up to 26 TOPS
16-core Neural Engine, up to 15.8 TOPS
Video encode
8K HDR10+
8K HDR at 60fps 4K HDR at 120fps
8K HDR at 60fps 4K HDR at 120fps
4K HDR+ at 120fps
Features support
QHD+ @144Hz or 4K@60Hz display refresh
Demura and subpixel rendering for OLED uniformity
First 18-bit ISP, mega low light capture merges 30 images in one shot for brighter, sharper pictures
Qualcomm FastConnect 6900: Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-fi 6E (up to 3.6GBps)
Qualcomm FastConnect 6900: Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-fi 6E (up to 3.6GBps)
UFS 3.1 storage support for up to 2.9GB/s speeds
Single-camera up to 200MP
up to 16 GB DDR5
Variable 120Hz display refresh rate
Computational photography
Cinematic Mode video bokeh
Machine learning capable of 15.8 trillion operations per second
As you can see, Qualcomm isn't playing around, and offers some unique 5G connectivity and other features that Apple will have to catch up with when its next generation A16 processor hits the iPhone 14 in the fall of 2022. That one is reportedly also being done on the 4nm process, but until then the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 may stay the undisputed connectivity king for the 5G era..
We are also very curious to test the new 18-bit ISP and the 8K HDR10+ video capture it brings, not to mention the digital keys and cards or the integrated iSIM multi-SIM functionality. Theres is little doubt that the Galaxy S22 series will be powered by Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, but the chip maker also lists many other manufacturers lining up for it.
Black Shark, Honor, iQOO, Motorola, Nubia, OnePlus, OPPO, Realme, Redmi, SHARP, Sony, vivo, Xiaomi, and ZTE are all in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 mix, with the first phones powered by the new chipset expected as soon as next month.
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Daniel, a devoted tech writer at PhoneArena since 2010, has been engrossed in mobile technology since the Windows Mobile era. His expertise spans mobile hardware, software, and carrier networks, and he's keenly interested in the future of digital health, car connectivity, and 5G. Beyond his professional pursuits, Daniel finds balance in travel, reading, and exploring new tech innovations, while contemplating the ethical and privacy implications of our digital future.
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