Qualcomm is multiplying the variants of its SoC for smartphones and this time intends to address manufacturers wishing to offer very high-end models less expensive than the competition.
Earlier this week, the company unveiled the features of the Snapdragon 775, which replaces the Snapdragon 765, 765G and 768 SoCs. A Snapdragon 870 is also planned, replacing the Snapdragon 865 .
High-end, affordable smartphones
All of these chips are aimed at the mid-to-high-end market, a sector particularly popular with manufacturers, who can offer attractive prices while offering good performance.
However, as if the range was not already dense enough, the American founder would also provide a variant of its ultra-high-end chip , the Snapdragon 888 . While 5G is still in its infancy, Qualcomm would present a version without an integrated modem.
According to leaker Roland Quandt, via XDA Developer , Qualcomm would work on the SM8325 platform, which would be marketed as a variant of the Snapdragon 888 (initially SM8350).
This confirms previous rumors from last year that Qualcomm's ranges would bring more flexibility to manufacturers.
When 5G is useless, to pay for it?
The integration of the Snapdragon X60 5G modem within the Snapdragon 888 is expensive for manufacturers. However, at the present time, and in view of the deployment of 5G across the world, it would not necessarily be a necessary component, let alone everywhere.
For this reason, OEMs in some parts of the world might want to offer 4G smartphones without compromising on performance. It's also worth noting that 5G consumes a lot of power. 4G terminals would logically have better autonomy, another selling point to be made.
However, the absence of an integrated modem does not mean that this SoC will not be able to support 5G. This could also be an opportunity for manufacturers to turn to another 5G modem or to offer two variants, and therefore different prices.
Source: XDA Developer