Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 : Qualcomm pose les bases des smartphones Android premium de 2022 | iGeneration

We now know what firewood the high-end Android smartphones will be releasing in 2022. Qualcomm has unveiled the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, its new state-of-the-art system-on-chip that will replace the Snapdragon 888.

In addition to the new name that we let you enjoy, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 introduces many changes. Although Qualcomm is quite discreet on this point, let's start by looking at the CPU. This CPU is still comprised of the same assortment of cores, but with next-gen cores:

By combining this with an etching process in 4 nm rather than 5, the designer announces a performance increase of 20% and an energy saving of 30%. This progress is to be verified with independent tests, but even if confirmed, the Apple A15 should remain ahead in this area.

On the graphics side, a new Adreno GPU which has no name promises 30% more power and 25% energy savings, still compared to the Snapdragon 888. Again, not enough to catch up with the Apple A15. a priori.

But the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is much more than a CPU and a GPU. This is what Qualcomm insists on in its press release. The neural engine, now a core component of advanced systems-on-chip, is taking a big leap forward. This 7th generation “AI Engine” should double the performance of machine learning tasks and be 70% more efficient.

In terms of wireless connections, Qualcomm is proud to integrate the Snapdragon X65 into its chip, namely the first 5G modem capable of reaching 10 Gbit / s in theoretical downlink speed. The X60 modem present in the Snapdragon 888 but also in the iPhone 13 is limited to 7.5 Gbit / s, which is already not bad.

The image processor is billed as the first 18-bit ISP available for smartphones, allowing it to capture 4,000 times more data than its predecessor for images with "extreme" dynamic range. It also allows video recording in 8K HDR, a first on mobile.

Speaking of video, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 has a "Bokeh engine" capable of blurring the background. "It's like Portrait mode for video," says Qualcomm. And it's like the Cinematic mode of the iPhone 13. To see if Qualcomm and the Android manufacturers manage to do better than Apple on this point, because the new mode of the iPhone 13 is to say the least perfectible.

Another Apple novelty that will arrive next year in Android smartphones, the management of car keys or dematerialized driving licenses. It is already possible to use your smartphone as a car key, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 will integrate with the new Android Ready SE alliance to store this element more securely. Driven by Google, NXP, Thales and other major players, Android Ready SE is set to become a standard for storing the most sensitive documents and digital keys.

Among its other advances, Qualcomm's new system-on-chip incorporates a fourth image processor dedicated to running facial recognition continuously: when the smartphone no longer detects the user's face, it will automatically lock.

Xiaomi, Oppo, OnePlus, Motorola, Sony… The main brands have already announced their intention to integrate the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 into their future smartphones. Only Samsung is missing from Qualcomm's press release, but the Korean manufacturer should still partially supply Snapdragon for the Galaxy S22.