Qualcomm is introducing a new mobile processor that changes the previous naming scheme. Previously, the company had a number for each performance class: The Snapdragon 8 chips were the top models, followed by the Snapdragon 7, 6 and so on. Qualcomm has added new versions with better technology with a “Gen” addition, such as Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
Advertisement
Qualcomm has now introduced the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. It is not an improved version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, but a completely new but weaker chip. The manufacturer argues that the variant is cheaper and is intended to bring advanced AI support to a wider audience.
Loss of performance
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is somewhere between the earlier 8 Gen 2 and the current 8 Gen 3. The 8s Gen 3 has the more modern CPU architecture of the current top model, but in a different configuration and with lower clock frequencies.
The processor uses one Cortex-X4, four Cortex-A720 and three Cortex-A520. For comparison: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 uses one Cotex-X4, five Cortex-A720 and two Cortex-A520. However, the clock frequencies drop by 200 to 400 MHz. Qualcomm does not specify the cache sizes – potentially they could be smaller to save chip space.
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 takes over the Adreno graphics unit from the 8 Gen 2, and both processors can also connect a maximum of LPDDR5X-4200 RAM (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: LPDDR5X-4800).
The video capabilities have been significantly slimmed down. All 8K support is lost; The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 can decode or encode videos in a maximum of 4K resolution and 60 fps, but not in 8K30 or 4K120. Slow motion videos are only possible at 240 fps in 1080p and no longer at 960 fps.
The X70 modem used was already in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and supports 5G mobile communications, although the newcomer has a reduced download speed of 5 Gbit/s – in practice this is unlikely to be relevant.
Locale generative KI
Qualcomm is focusing on the AI functions of the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. Officially, it supports generative AI models with up to 10 billion parameters. For example, you can have images generated from your smartphone without having to rely on the cloud.
However, some functions are reserved for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (without s), including so-called speculative decoding, which can be used to accelerate language models. For example, bots can run more efficiently.
The chip contract manufacturer TSMC also produces the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 using 4-nanometer technology – this was already the case with the 8 Gen 3 and 8 Gen 2.
Smartphones coming soon
The first smartphones with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 are expected to hit retailers in the coming weeks. Qualcomm expects them in the price range of 500 to 800 US dollars, i.e. between 550 and 875 euros including taxes.
Anyone who buys a high-end smartphone with an Android operating system should take a closer look in the future to see whether it has the fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or the slimmed-down s version.
(mma)