Qualcomm expands its layout in the gaming handheld market, announcing three new Snapdragon G-series processors
During Gamescom 2023, Qualcomm unveiled three brand-new Snapdragon G-series processors, complemented by their respective reference designs, marking a strategic move to broaden their influence in the handheld gaming market. Qualcomm notes the continuous growth of the gaming market, especially within the realm of mobile gaming. With the maturation of internet streaming technology, cloud streaming gaming has seen widespread adoption.
Qualcomm’s expansion of the Snapdragon G-series includes the entry-level Snapdragon G1 Gen 1, the mainstream-targeted Snapdragon G2 Gen 1, and the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2, designed for the hardcore gaming community. Moreover, Qualcomm has announced reference designs for each of these processors, aiming to capitalize on the burgeoning handheld gaming market.
Despite many consumers’ proclivity for mobile gaming, Qualcomm acknowledges that a sizable faction of gamer-grade users yearns for devices optimized for greater computational prowess, aptly tailored for gaming. Given that mobile designs aren’t solely catered for gaming, the Snapdragon G-series aims to shed non-gaming functionalities, ensuring a more immersive gaming experience and paving new avenues in the gaming sector.
Much like the stratifications in the mobile market—entry-level, mainstream, and flagship—Qualcomm envisions similar demarcations in the handheld gaming sector, intending to cater to diverse gaming audiences with varying specifications and price points.
The Snapdragon G1 Gen 1, envisioned for basic performance, primarily caters to home gaming consoles or cloud streaming gaming services. It’s built with an 8-core Kryo architecture CPU and an Adreno A11 GPU. Its reference design is compatible with streaming experiences like NVIDIA GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud Gaming, PS Remote Play, and Steam Link.
Snapdragon G2 Gen 1 is positioned for mainstream mobile gaming demands, promising impressive performance. It also incorporates an 8-core Kryo architecture CPU but upgrades to the Adreno A21 GPU. It supports most games on the Android platform, including content from Netflix Games and Amazon Appstore. Further, it remains compatible with cloud streaming services, supporting Wi-Fi 6/6E and 5G connectivity.
The refreshed Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 enhances the 8-core Kryo architecture CPU with the Adreno A32 GPU. Compared to its predecessor, the Snapdragon G3x Gen 1, it boasts a 40% CPU performance boost and a twofold GPU enhancement. Additionally, it integrates capabilities to connect augmented reality headsets, offering a richer, immersive gaming experience while addressing high-performance and cross-platform gaming needs. The reference design for the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 includes features like a camera for live streaming, an active cooling system for consistent performance, and a tactile haptic feedback system for more genuine user feedback.
Furthermore, this reference design is backed by a dual 3000mAh battery configuration, supporting QC 4.0 fast charging for extended battery longevity. It flaunts a 6.8-inch AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. Paired with 12GB LPDDR5x 4.2GHz memory, it offers a storage configuration of 256GB UFS 4.0, which can be expanded via NVMe SSD. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 7 and 5G.
Remarkably, Qualcomm’s reference design for the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2, crafted with carbon fiber, showcases a lightweight form factor, setting a precedent for more portable gaming handhelds. Compared to the previously launched Snapdragon G3x Gen 1, which saw collaboration with Razer to produce the Razer Edge 5G, Qualcomm’s latest reference designs have been crafted in partnership with AyaNeo, Compal, Inventec, and Thundercomm, with products expected to debut by year’s end.
