Qualcomm announced two new computing platforms, the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 and the Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3, during its 2021 Tech Summit, in addition to the new flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 mobile platform. The Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 is designed for high-end PCs, whereas the Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3 is designed for low-cost Windows PCs and Chromebooks. The chips will “modernize PC experiences and redefine mobile computing for end-users”, according to the company.
Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 Specifications
The Qualcomm Kryo CPU is included in the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 platform, which is the world’s first 5nm Windows PC platform. When compared to the predecessor, it is said to give up to an 85% improvement in CPU speed, a 60% increase in GPU performance, and a 2x longer battery life. The new Adreno GPU is projected to increase graphics performance by up to 60%.
It also has Snapdragon X55, X62, or X65 5G Modem-RF systems for up to 10Gbps downloads, Wi-Fi 6/ 6E with Qualcomm FastConnect 6900, and the ability to switch between 5G and 4G LTE.
The camera’s performance is also improved by the platform. Users would be able to start a video conference 15% faster using the Qualcomm Spectra ISP. Autofocus, Auto White Balance, and Auto Exposure are now supported for improved video calling experiences. It also has Qualcomm’s Noise and Echo Cancellation technology, which enhances the audio quality of other users. In addition, the 8c Gen 3 will enable 4K HDR camera quality and up to four additional cameras. As a result, we may anticipate future PCs to include many cameras.
The platform also features AI enhancements, resulting in a whopping 29+ TOPS of AI acceleration for a superior user experience. Support for a new standard to keep users’ data safe, Qualcomm Safeguard Processing Unit (SPU) with Microsoft Pluton Security Solution to secure stolen data, and a new camera framework for enhanced authentication to keep data safe are all included in the security section.
The new Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3 processor Specifications
The Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3 platform is built on a 6nm technology and provides up to 60% faster CPU performance and up to 70% faster GPU performance. It will also bring 5G to PCs at the lowest level. The Snapdragon X53 5G Modem-RF system, which supports sub-6 and mmWave 5G, is supported.
FastConnect 6700 for multi-gigabit Wi-Fi 6 and 6E with speeds up to 2.9 Gbps and Qualcomm AI Engine for better AI performance are also included.
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. Vice President of Product Management Miguel Nunes stated, “With Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3, we are raising the bar in the entry-tier by extending 5G mobile computing across ecosystems. Whether for consumers, business, or education, Snapdragon compute platforms deliver the capabilities and experiences that our ecosystem customers and end-users need.”
It also has 4K HDR support, Echo-cancellation and noise suppression (ECNS) for clear audio, security features, up to triple rear cameras, PCIe NVMe/SSD, eMMC 5.1, SD 3.0, and UFS 2.1, as well as PCIe NVMe/SSD, eMMC 5.1, SD 3.0, and UFS 2.1.
In the first half of 2022, devices using the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 and Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3 processors will be available. The high-end 8cx Gen 3 platform is likely to be used in Lenovo and Motorola handsets.
