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TL;DR: Recent mobile platforms introduced by Qualcomm have largely focused on the high-end segment of the smartphone market. The fabless chip manufacturer is now releasing another SoC specifically designed for more affordable devices, although the company still aims to market it with "premium" features, including AI.
Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 mobile chip aims to reshape how the world, or at least some parts of it, connects to the internet. Despite being designed for more affordable smartphones, the SoC provides all the necessary technology for enjoying entertainment and sharing content online, including all-day battery and a Gigabit 5G modem.
Qualcomm says its 5G Modem-RF System is optimized for balancing performance and efficiency. The modem supports sub-6 GHz 5G networks, with 2x2 MIMO antennas providing a maximum download speed of one gigabit per second. It also supports multimode connectivity for LTE, WCDMA, HSPA, and GSM/Edge legacy networks.
Qualcomm's latest is built on an efficient 4nm process node. The CPU includes two "Kryo" performance cores (up to 2 GHz) and six efficiency cores (1.6 GHz), which are slightly slower compared to the existing Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 SoC. The Adreno GPU is designed to handle Full HD displays and deliver up to 90 frames per second, according to Qualcomm. Additionally, the camera supports up to 84 MP shots with a dual 12-bit image processor.
Qualcomm highlights that the chip includes AI-based echo cancellation technology for enhanced audio processing, with noise suppression algorithms designed to reduce background noise in busy environments. It also features improved navigation capabilities with dual-frequency navIC positioning and native support for mobile payment platforms. navIC is an autonomous satellite navigation system operated by India, which is likely a key market for Qualcomm's new chip.
The first confirmed partner for the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 SoC is the Chinese brand Xiaomi. Despite facing challenges due to technology bans imposed by US and EU authorities, the Beijing-based manufacturer remains the third-largest smartphone company in the world, behind Samsung and Apple. Phones powered by the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 are expected to perform well even in Western markets, where affordable devices often meet the needs of a significant portion of the mobile user base.