Qualcomm launches Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, bringing generative AI to more smartphones

Defined as a “simplified version of Snapdragon 8 Gen 3” presented in October 2023, the Qualcomm today officially presented its new processor Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 for smartphones, focusing on the premium mid-range market. The chipset follows the generative AI trend and will be present in cell phones launched later this year. See all the details right now.

Generative AI

Considered an evolution of the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 launched last year, it can be said that the company invested a lot to provide the ability to create content of the most diverse types. The company mentions that the new processor can execute large language models of up to 10 billion parameters, such as llama 2 e Gemini Dwarf.

O Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 It has fewer features than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, but it will still have capacity for AI virtual assistants and will also be able to expand images.

Through a platform called Qualcomm Sensing Hub, the processor will also be able to use data such as fitness level and location, to make the AI ​​virtual assistant provide more personalized responses.

Despite being a 2024 release, the area dedicated to artificial intelligence activities, also called NPU, is the same as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Simply put: the company took the NPU from its 2022 premium processor and made some improvements through software and hardware, but it still doesn't have the same performance power as the processor aimed at more premium, high-cost models.

camera features

This processor's camera algorithm is interesting, but it has some limitations compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. In addition to only supporting video recording in 4K quality at up to 60 frames per second, it only supports three lenses at the same time. time. Another detail is the support for video recording in Dolby Vision HDR, which captures more vivid colors.

Talking about the resolution, the same processor also has support for recording 1080p videos at up to 240 frames per second, but it will not be able to record 720p videos at 960 frames per second.

The processor will be able to combine the front and rear cameras to be used at the same time, something seen on Samsung Galaxy smartphones in the mode called Director's View. Zoom is also a highlight, and Qualcomm highlights that the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 You will be able to capture videos with lenses of up to 200 MP and track objects at 2x or 4x, without loss of quality.

Talking about photos: there is a certification named after truepic and allows the user to be sure that the photo was actually captured by a human, and not created with the support of artificial intelligence.

Hyper-realistic games

The GPU is 25% more powerful compared to the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, in addition to delivering 40% better ray-tracing. Another detail is that this new processor should run heavier games without getting too hot due to good CPU processing.

The company also promises that, whether playing games or playing video streaming services, the battery will provide “high hours of battery life”, with incredibly fast, clear and smooth graphics.

Qualcomm claims that its new processor can be used to run hyper-realistic games without having to pay a lot for a smartphone. Let's wait for the launch of the first smartphones to find out whether this will be achieved or not. To run heavier games without problems, this processor supports up to 24 GB of PDDDRX-8400 type RAM.

Connectivity

The modem present in this processor is the Snapdragon Another detail is the possibility of connecting to Wi-Fi 70 points, which are starting to become more popular this year.

The maximum upload speed was 3,5 Gbps, a small downgrade compared to the X75 used in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which reaches 5 Gbps effortlessly. The download speed was 10 Gbps and the modem also has a Bluetooth 5.4 antenna.

This is the world's first 5G modem with a built-in AI hardware accelerator that achieves better speeds, coverage, mobility, link robustness and location accuracy.

Availability on the market

For this first moment, the Qualcomm has plans to supply its new processor Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 for Chinese companies, to prevent them from choosing the competitor Mediatek. This line is also the bridge between the models Snapdragon 7 e Snapdragon 8, so here we have an option for companies to launch smartphones with AI capabilities, but without the need to spend so much.

The manufacturer classified its new chipset just below the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, so we can expect it to be seen in models in the premium mid-range category or at the top of the line from manufacturers like Xiaomi, Realme, Honor, iQOO and Redmi. Companies are expected to present their new models on the international market with the 8s Gen3 in March 2024. Specific dates were not mentioned.

Technical specifications

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See also other features

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 arrives with AI features, better connectivity and more performance

With information: Qualcomm

reviewed by Glaucon Vital in 18 / 3 / 24.