At MWC this week Qualcomm has announced its next mobile processor architecture for the Snapdragon family and refresh to the Snapdragon family.
The new processor micro-architecture is code-named Krait, and purportedly has speeds of up to 2.5GHz per core which, the firm says, represents an approximate 150% increase in overall performance, as well as 65% lower power than currently available ARM-based CPU cores.
The chipsets will be available in single-, dual- and quad-core versions and include a new Adreno GPU series with up to four 3D cores, and integrated multi-mode LTE modem.
The single-core version is the MSM8930, the dual-core is the MSM8960 and the quad-core is the APQ8064.
As per usual for Qualcomm, all the new Snapdragon chipsets will integrate a quad-combo of connectivity solutions — WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth and FM — and include support for near field communication (NFC), as well as stereoscopic 3D (S3D) video and photo capture and playback.
Though it’s clear Qualcomm has placed its bets firmly on Android, the chipset also supports every major operating system, across all tiers of products, from smartphones to tablets to IP TVs.
The chipset is built on 28nm technology which allows for higher performance at lower power. The latest Adreno GPUs will also be included, which should give Qualcomm a little boost in its competition with rival NVIDIA, as Adreno has the largest mobile graphics ecosystems currently available in mobile, with hundreds of games for Android, Windows Phone 7 Xbox gaming, and PlayStation.
Qualcom is claiming the Adreno 320 quad-core GPU will deliver up to 15 times the performance of the original Adreno to drive games and S3D video on larger-screen devices. The firm also says Adreno 320 is capable of delivering similar graphics performance to today’s latest game consoles, but for mobile devices.
On the wireless side, the single-core MSM8930 is also he world’s first dual-core solution with an integrated multi-mode 3G/LTE modem.
The single core also includes dual asynchronous CPU cores which can be independently controlled for maximum efficiency, supports dual-channel LP DDR memory features the Adreno 225 GPU which delivers a purported eight times the performance of the original Adreno.
The quad-core APQ8064 will include four asynchronous CPU cores which can be independently controlled along with the Adreno 320 quad-core GPU. It also boasts support for both PC and LP DDR memory, serial and PCIe interfaces, and multiple USB ports as well as integration with Qualcomm’s 3G and LTE MDM modems and modules.
Samples are expected towards mid 2011, with first products shipping using the chips around the start of 2012.
