Qualcomm Adds a 64-bit Chip to Snapdragon Portfolio, Targets Entry Level Smartphones
Don't tell Qualcomm that 64-bit computing in the mobile world is a "gimmick" (more on that in a moment). Not only does Qualcomm feel the opposite is true, but the company just introduced its Snapdragon 410 chipset with integrated 4G LTE World Mode. The Snapdragon 410 is built using 28nm process technology and is Qualcomm's first 64-bit part.
Qualcomm's former chief marketing officer, Anand Chandrasekher, was moved to a new position in October a month after making disparaging comments about Apple's A7 SoC (System-on-Chip). The tidbit that sticks out most from his critical remarks is calling 64-bit computing a "marketing gimmick." It's hard to argue against that at this early stage, but with Qualcomm at the time being on the cusp of releasing a 64-bit chipset of its own, the company was quick to retract Chandrasekher's comments and reassign him to a new role.
Now here we are witnessing Qualcomm entering the 64-bit era. Some other notable features include an Andreno 306 GPU, 1080p video playback, 13-megapixel camera support, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth, and GPS. What Qualcomm seems most excited about, however, is that its new chipset supports 4G LTE, especially since the company is taking aim at entry-level smartphones with this part.
"We are excited to bring 4G LTE to highly affordable smartphones at a sub $150 ( ? 1,000 RMB) price point with the introduction of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor," said Jeff Lorbeck, senior vice president and chief operating officer, Qualcomm Technologies, China. "The Snapdragon 410 chipset will also be the first of many 64-bit capable processors as Qualcomm Technologies helps lead the transition of the mobile ecosystem to 64-bit processing."
Look for smartphones powered by Snapdragon 410 to emerge on the market in second half of 2014.
Qualcomm's former chief marketing officer, Anand Chandrasekher, was moved to a new position in October a month after making disparaging comments about Apple's A7 SoC (System-on-Chip). The tidbit that sticks out most from his critical remarks is calling 64-bit computing a "marketing gimmick." It's hard to argue against that at this early stage, but with Qualcomm at the time being on the cusp of releasing a 64-bit chipset of its own, the company was quick to retract Chandrasekher's comments and reassign him to a new role.
Now here we are witnessing Qualcomm entering the 64-bit era. Some other notable features include an Andreno 306 GPU, 1080p video playback, 13-megapixel camera support, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth, and GPS. What Qualcomm seems most excited about, however, is that its new chipset supports 4G LTE, especially since the company is taking aim at entry-level smartphones with this part.
"We are excited to bring 4G LTE to highly affordable smartphones at a sub $150 ( ? 1,000 RMB) price point with the introduction of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor," said Jeff Lorbeck, senior vice president and chief operating officer, Qualcomm Technologies, China. "The Snapdragon 410 chipset will also be the first of many 64-bit capable processors as Qualcomm Technologies helps lead the transition of the mobile ecosystem to 64-bit processing."
Look for smartphones powered by Snapdragon 410 to emerge on the market in second half of 2014.
