MediaTek allegedly working on a more powerful Helio X30 chipset

Taiwanese chip maker MediaTek known the world over for its chipset solutions which have mostly been for low-end smartphones and tablets but after the impressive performance by its Helio series chipsets Helio X10 and X20 in the mid-to high-range smartphones, it is providing tough competition to the likes of Qualcomm.

Its Helio X10 has been used in several mid-range handsets including HTC One M9+, Meizu MX5, Elife E8 and others. MediaTek announced its Helio X20 SoC in May this year which was the world’s first deca-core chipset for mobile.  Helio X20 will be making its debut inside the Chinese smartphone Elephone P9000 which is expected to launch in mid-October. It is also rumored that Xiaomi might use the MediaTek X20 Soc in its future high-end smartphones.

Even before the devices using X20 enter the market, there are reports from the Chinese media that MediaTek has started work on an even faster and more powerful chipset, the Helio X30.

The new Helio X30 will consist of 10-core architecture with a quad-cluster design having two Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1GHz,  two Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.5GHz, two Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2GHz and four Cortex-A72 cores clocked at 2.5GHz. In comparison, the Helio X20 has a tri-cluster design with four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.4Ghz, four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2GHz and two Cortex-A72 cores clocked at 2.5Ghz.

The GPU of the Helio X30 will apparently be Mali-T880, an improvement over the Mali T-800 GPU of the Helio X20. In addition, the X30 will also support 4GB LPDDR4 1600MhZ RAM which was not there in the X20.

MediaTek is also tipped to be working on a Helio X22 SoC which will be a faster version of the Helio X20. It is not known when both the chipsets will be announced by the company. First devices carrying the new chips will probably make an appearance early next year.

MediaTek allegedly working on a more powerful Helio X30 chipset

Qualcomm unveils Snapdragon 820 with Kryo 64-bit CPU

Qualcomm announced its new chipset, the Snapdragon 820 at its keynote at the MWC in Barcelona. This next gen SoC from Qualcomm utilizes its new Zeroth platform. Now we can expect to see the new Snapdragon 820 chipset in upcoming Android and Windows phones, but it will take a while yet.

Qualcomm revealed its new Zeroth platform which it described as a “cognitive computing platform” which will make its debut with Snapdragon 820. According to the company, Zeroth contains many new hardware and software technologies that will offer a more intuitive and natural experience by anticipating users’ gestures and needs in advance and take appropriate actions. Qualcomm demonstrated a real-life application on stage that consisted of a camera recognizing the subject of the photo.

The FinFET manufacturing process will be used to build the Snapdragon 820 but the company has not disclosed which technology they will be using, Samsung’s 14nm or TSMC’s 16nm. The new chipset uses Qualcomm’s new 64-bit custom ARMv8 CPU called the Kryo. No other details about it are known for the present.

The new Snapdragon 820 processor will start sampling in the 2nd half of 2015 which indicates that the first smartphone and tablets carrying the chip will make an appearance somewhere in early 2016.

 

 

Source GSMArena

Qualcomm unveils Snapdragon 820 with Kryo 64-bit CPU

Some cool features of Qualcomm’s 64-bit Snapdragon 810 processor

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processor powers a lot of our current smartphones. The company’s new Snapdragon 810 processor is set to enter most of the flagship Android smartphones and tablets in the coming year 2015, replacing the existing Snapdragon 801 and 805.

Qualcomm recently demoed some of the new features of Snapdragon 810 that will be seen in upcoming new devices. The 64-bit Snapdragon 810 is touted by the company to be the “ultimate connected computing processor” with modern capabilities. It has several new features and improved performances compared to earlier Snapdragon processors such as high resolution displays, 4K Ultra HD video streaming, advanced Wi-Fi connectivity, clear sound, online 3D gaming, high quality digital pics and improved battery life.

Let us check out some of the cool features of Snapdragon 810:

1. 4K Ultra HD support

It helps in capturing, playing back and streaming top-quality 4K multi-media content on the device screen or an Ultra HD monitor.

 

2. Dolby Atmos technology

This technology uses special sound-enhancing techniques to attain rich and deep spacial characteristics and offer an immersive audio experience.

 

3. Computational optical zoom

Qualcomm uses Corephotonics’ LTD Dual Camera solution in Snapdragon 810 that combines its proprietary tele lens and a standard wide lens to allow 5x optical zoom in videos and 3x optical zoom in stills. Here, two camera images are combined into one better quality picture using image fusion technology of Corephotonics.

4. Noise cancellation and directional recording 

The Snapdragon 810 features a low-power, high performance noise cancellation technology wherein voice signals are isolated using the multi-microphone setup of Qualcomm. During a video recording, configurable listening zones enable users to capture only the audio that they want.

5. SafeSwitch technology

The Snapdragon 810 has been equipped with Qualcomm’s SafeSwitch technology. It protects the mobile device against its theft and data theft. It also allows users to lock/unlock their devices and its hardware verifies the input commands.

 

6. Sense Audio music detection with Shazam app

It has a Sense Audio engine that can detect unique environmental elements and deliver curated aural experience fitting the context. The Shazam music recognition app in it can be launched with a single tap on the button and allows user to discover, listen, purchase and share music.

7. Advanced Wi-Fi connectivity

The Snapdragon 810 has VIVE 11ac and 11ad technology offering high bandwidth and low latency connectivity. Its wireless docking facility allows users to remotely check emails and edit documents over the Internet. The chip’s modem allows file transfers at more than 4Gbit/s, even bigger files having 4K ultra high resolution content.

Via PhoneArena

Some cool features of Qualcomm’s 64-bit Snapdragon 810 processor

Product Released: Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 processor

Qualcomm Technologies recently has announced its new product, Snapdragon 210 processor; along with the company’s first LTE-equipped table reference design and the latest 28 nm transceivers as well as the next-generation Qualcomm RF360 front end solutions. These new designs and technologies were developed to achieve a high performance standard of computing and connectivity for entry-level and mainstream smart phones and tablets.

Snapdragon 210 processor

The new processor will offer integrated multimode 3G/4G LTE and LTE Dual SIM for entry-level as its main feature. It boasts of seamless, advanced LTE connectivity with fully integrated 4G LTE-Advanced Cat 4 Carrier Aggregation, LTE Broadcast and LTE Dual SIM/ Dual standby.

Additional features include:

• High Quality but low cost Full-HD(1080P) playback multimedia experience.


• Higher performance but low power quad CPU and Qualcomm® Adreno™ 304 graphics.


• Enhanced camera capabilities including zero shutter lag, high dynamic range (HDR), auto focus, auto white balance and auto exposure.


• Faster battery charging, made possible because of Qualcomm® Quick Charge™ 2.0 support

Qualcomm Reference Design (QRD) version of Snapdragon 210 processor

It is available in both smart phones and tablet configurations. It will include the above-mentioned features alongside with an improved connectivity capabilities including integrated 4G LTE-Advanced Cat 4 Carrier Aggregation, RF transceiver chip WTR2955, and Qualcomm RF360 front end solution for multiband and multimode support.

Qualcomm Reference Design (QRD) version of Snapdragon 410 processor

It is also available in both smart phones and tablet configurations. It will include a high performance but low power quad core mobile computing, 64-bit, and the latest version of Android™. Better multimedia and graphics experience with Adreno 306 GPU. Integrated 4G LTE World Mode modem with CAT4 which boasts seamless communication in any location as well as its speed up to 150 Mbps.

28nm transceivers

28nm transceivers, WTR4905 and WTR2955 are paired with Snapdragon 410 and Snapdragon 210 respectively. Both designs are optimized to support LTE and LTE Advanced multimode device in the mid and entry tier.

Qualcomm RF360 front end solutions

It covers power amplifier and antenna switch solutions for both modular and integrated architectures. It aims to allow device makers to easily customize the LTE products which can be use for global and regional band combination without sacrificing the quality of the performance.

There are a few models of this product:

QFE 3320 – it can be optimized for regional band combinations for mid and entry-tier devices.

QFE 3335/ QFE 3345 – it is for power amplifier.

QFE 1035/ QFE 1045 – it is to add flexibility and simplify routing of 2X and 3X carrier aggregation to support all 3^rd Generation Partner Project (3GPP) approved LTE carrier aggregation band combination.

QFE 25XX – it is for antenna matching tuner which designed for stronger LTE connections when there is physical blockage such as the user’s head or hand.

The Snapdragon 210 processor and QRD reference tablet are expected to be launched in the first half of 2015 whereas the RF360 front end products are expected to be launched in the second half of 2014.

Product Released: Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 processor