Published in PC Hardware

Qualcomm adds new mid-range processors

by on15 September 2015


Snapdragon 430 and the Snapdragon 617

Qualcomm has released two new mid-range processors to its mobile CPU lineup — the Snapdragon 430 and the Snapdragon 617.

The Snapdragon 430 has a new modem that enables X6 LTE, with Cat 4 downlink speeds of up to 150 Mbps and support of 2x10 MHz Carrier Aggregation, and Cat 5 uplink speed of up to 75 Mbps via support for 64-QAM.

All this is a first for processors in its price range. In addition, the 430 supports dual camera configurations and sensors up to 21MP. Using the new Qualcomm Adreno 505 GPU brings support for Open GL ES3.1, Android Extension Pack, and OpenCL 2.0.

The Snapdragon 617 integrates the X8 LTE modem, featuring support for Cat 7 download speeds of up to 300 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 100 Mbps using bi-directional 2x20 MHz carrier aggregation. It also features the same software and camera architecture as the 620 and 618 at a lower price point.

We expect to see gear with a Snapdragon 430 under the bonnet in Q2 2016, and the Snapdragon 617 is expected to be available in consumer devices by Christmas.

Qualcomm senior vice president, product management Alex Katouzian said that as smartphones and tablets continue to spread to all corners of the globe, his outfit recognized that users were becoming more discerning.

"The introduction of these new processors is a clear indication that we are listening to the needs of our customers who want ever improving cameras, faster connectivity, and better battery life across all available price points."

Last modified on 15 September 2015
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