Initially introduced in 2021, the lineup now includes the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2, Snapdragon G2 Gen 1, and Snapdragon G1 Gen 1. These chips are accompanied by fresh GPU nomenclature: Adreno A11, Adreno A21, and Adreno A32, aimed at distinguishing their graphics capabilities, a shift from Qualcomm’s previous GPU naming strategy.
Among these, the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 stands out as a significant upgrade, targeting enthusiastic users. Although specific specifications haven’t been fully disclosed, the chipset boasts an eight-core CPU with an impressive twofold speed enhancement and an “Adreno A32” GPU that claims a 30% performance boost over the previous generation.
While rigorous testing of this chipset is pending, the touted enhancements, coupled with its features, position the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 in a realm of performance comparable to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Qualcomm’s performance charts highlight that while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s performance diminishes over time, the G3x Gen 2 maintains its efficiency, resulting in a relative performance increase as the latter outpaces the former.
Qualcomm’s reference device for testing the G3x Gen 2 underscores its anticipated use cases. This device, equipped with active cooling, front and rear cameras, stereo speakers, 12GB of RAM, and UFS 4.0 storage, appears poised to outperform top-tier Android smartphones on paper.
The Snapdragon G2 Gen 1, characterized by an Adreno A21 GPU and an eight-core CPU, is more standard in comparison. While precise details remain scant, the G2 Gen 1 is touted as perfect for mobile gaming and is equipped with FastConnect 6700, Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E compatibility, and a Full HD 144Hz display, aligning its performance with smartphones featuring Snapdragon 778G.
Further down the spectrum, the Snapdragon G1 Gen 1 is designed for power-efficient cloud gaming. It’s envisioned for streaming games to handheld gaming devices, ensuring extended gameplay due to its low-power nature. While concerns about latency persist, the performance of devices integrated with this chipset will determine its effectiveness.
The timeline for consumer availability of these chipsets remains unclear. However, Qualcomm has engaged in collaborations with companies including AyaNeo, Huaqin, Inventec, and Thundercomm, all working to bring devices with these chipsets to the market.
As more details emerge and devices with these chipsets become available, Mithun Chandrasekhar, Qualcomm’s senior director of product management, underscores the adaptability of these new chips across platforms and devices. He states that Qualcomm’s rich history in delivering gaming innovations culminates in its most advanced mobile gaming platform to date, offering an immersive, responsive, and energy-efficient gaming experience for mobile users.
