The Berlin International Consumer Electronics Show (IFA) officially kicked off today. At this year’s IFA exhibition, 5G is still one of the most important topics. And just today, Qualcomm announced the launch of the Snapdragon 4 series mobile platform and the second Snapdragon 8cx Generation of 5G computing platforms. They are promoting the rapid globalization of 5G and the diversification of 5G terminal forms.
Snapdragon 4 series mobile platform joins 5G family, terminal matrix promotes the rapid popularization of 5G
Since the beginning of this year, thanks to the launch of the Snapdragon 765G mobile platform, many smartphone manufacturers such as Xiaomi have launched mid-range or mid-to-high-end 5G smartphone products. As a result, the price has dropped below 2,000 yuan ($292), even reaching about 1,500 yuan ($219). This is a major benefit to the rapid popularization of 5G terminals.
According to information disclosed by Qualcomm President An Meng, hundreds of terminals using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 5G solution have been released or are being designed around the world. With the joint efforts of Qualcomm and the upstream and downstream of the communications industry chain, the 5G commercial process is advancing faster than expected.
Today, Qualcomm has successfully expanded its 5G mobile platform to the Snapdragon 4 series, providing consumers with a more complete 5G terminal product portfolio. This means that consumers will soon be able to use more affordable 5G smartphones. When 5G smartphones with the Snapdragon 4 series mobile platform come out at a price below 1,500 yuan or even lower, 5G terminals will sink to a wider consumer population at a faster rate.
At present, Xiaomi, OPPO, MOTO, and others have announced that they will be the first 5G smartphone manufacturers to launch the Snapdragon 4 series mobile platform. More information about the Snapdragon 4 series 5G mobile platform will be announced later. Commercial terminals equipped with this platform are expected to be available in the first quarter of 2021.
Currently, Qualcomm’s 5G mobile platforms include:
- Snapdragon 8 series: Snapdragon 865 Plus, Snapdragon 865 and Snapdragon 855
- Snapdragon 7 series: Snapdragon 768G, Snapdragon 765 and 765G
- Snapdragon 6 Series: Snapdragon 690
With the addition of Qualcomm’s 4 series mobile platform to the 5G family, a terminal matrix composed of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 5G mobile platform will also be formed, ranging from high-end flagship products that integrate cutting-edge technologies, down to those focusing on cost performance and facing a wider audience. Low-end products, such a 5G terminal array will quickly cover a wider global user group.
As Qualcomm President An Meng said at the press conference, by extending 5G to the Snapdragon 4 series mobile platform, Qualcomm expects that 5G will be able to benefit nearly 3.5 billion smartphone users in different regions. The Snapdragon 4 Series 5G mobile platform will bring a variety of major mid-to-high-end features to a wider range of consumers. Thus, it will realize their vision of making 5G technology available to all smartphone users.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx second-generation 5G computing platform, allowing PCs to release productivity anytime, anywhere
Under the wave of mobilization, our working methods are undergoing important changes. Mobile and connection technologies are becoming more and more important to support productivity. Therefore, people have higher and higher requirements for the mobility and connectivity of PC products.
Therefore, in addition to the Snapdragon 5G mobile platform for smartphones, Qualcomm also released the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx second-generation 5G computing platform on the first day of IFA.
The Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 5G for PCs provides better performance and battery life, supports 5G connections, enterprise-level security and AI acceleration, and advanced camera and audio technology.
Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 5G features:
Performance and energy efficiency
The iterative products of the Snapdragon 8cx platform will bring industry-leading energy efficiency and performance to PC users. The system-level performance and battery life of the Snapdragon 8cx second-generation 5G computing platform are more than 50% better than competing solutions. The Snapdragon computing platform also helps PCs achieve multi-day battery life, bringing an always-on and always-connected experience. With the Snapdragon 8cx second-generation 5G computing platform, users do not have to sacrifice performance or device life in order to enjoy excellent connectivity and security.
Connectivity
The Snapdragon 8cx second-generation 5G computing platform is the second computing platform launched by Qualcomm Technologies that supports both millimeter wave and 5G connections in frequency bands below 6GHz. It provides end users with extremely fast multi-gigabit connection speeds and stability. The Snapdragon 8cx second-generation 5G computing platform also supports Wi-Fi 6. PCs using this platform can not only provide users with the leading connectivity required for office anywhere, anytime, but also ease home network congestion caused by multi-device networking.
Audio and Photography
Users expect to obtain high-quality audio and shooting experience when using top-of-the-line PCs to enhance remote office and remote learning experience. Utilizing Qualcomm Aqstic™ echo cancellation and noise suppression (ECNS) technology. The Snapdragon 8cx second-generation 5G computing platform can intelligently focus on the sound from the PC and the user’s environment, thereby providing a clear audio experience.
PC devices powered by the Snapdragon 8cx second-generation 5G computing platform can also use high-resolution camera modules. With the mobile imaging technology supported by Qualcomm Spectra™ ISP, the Snapdragon 8cx second-generation 5G computing platform can support up to 4K HDR quality video shooting and up to 32 million pixel cameras to meet the requirements of video conferencing and real-time streaming.
PCs equipped with the Snapdragon 8cx second-generation 5G computing platform can also support dual 4K displays through a Type-C wired docking station to achieve maximum flexibility and productivity.
AI
Using the Qualcomm® artificial intelligence engine AI Engine, the Snapdragon 8cx second-generation 5G computing platform will provide an AI acceleration experience for PC devices and bring breakthrough AI performance with extremely high energy efficiency. Users can enjoy a better interactive video conference experience through AI-accelerated eye contact and virtual avatars. The efficient AI processing capabilities supported by the platform also allow developers to innovate in the entire Windows ecosystem.
Safety
The Snapdragon 8cx second-generation 5G computing platform will set a new benchmark for the security and management of large enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises and the education industry. The always-on and always-connected PC supported by the Snapdragon platform allows IT personnel to manage local functions and security features anytime and anywhere. In addition, the Snapdragon 8cx second-generation 5G computing platform also supports Microsoft Secured Core PC and Windows Hypervisor.
According to Qualcomm’s data, the 7W Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 outperforms the 15W 10th-generation Core in overall system performance by 18%. This is 51% higher than the same 7W Intel hybrid architecture processor. The 7W Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 Super 15W 10th generation Core is 39%, which is 58% higher than the same 7W Intel hybrid architecture processor.
PC devices equipped with the Snapdragon 8cx second-generation 5G computing platform are expected to be commercially available later in 2020.
Terry Ts 
Rudhra Nandu