The new Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 SoC is the first chip in the 4-series to feature 5G: it will bring the fast network to low-cost smartphones
Qualcomm has announced its new chip that will bring 5G networking to low-cost smartphones as well. The new Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 SoC is the first chip of the 4 series equipped with 5G connectivity and we will be able to see it on the first mid- to low-end smartphones already by early 2021.
In December Qualcomm announced the arrival of two new Soc: the Snapdragon 888, a powerful 5G chip intended for top-of-the-line smartphones in 2021, and the Snapdragon 678, intended for mid-range smartphones with decent performance even for gaming, but without 5G connectivity. Now Qualcomm takes it a step further and introduces the ability to connect to the fast network even for mid- to low-end smartphones, in addition to ensuring even at low-cost prices excellent performance in terms of both power, battery life, camera quality and gaming experience.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G: the features
The new Snapdragon 480 chip can count on the Snapdragon X51 5G modem-RF, which supports both 5G connectivity in mmWave and Sub-6 GHz modes. The FastConnect 6200, on the other hand, offers support for the 2×2 dual-antenna Wi-Fi system, which provides improved range for Wi-Fi 6, as well as Bluetooth 5.1 and advanced wireless audio capabilities. In addition, the new SoC also supports dual-frequency GPS and NavIC for more accurate geolocation.
The 8nm processor platform houses a Qualcomm Kryio 460 CPU and Adreno 619 GPU, offering up to 100 percent CPU and GPU performance improvement over previous models, as well as a 70 percent increase in AI performance. The Snapdragon 480 also supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 4+ technology for fast charging.
Entertainment and gaming experience gains points with support for 120 Hz FHD+ displays, for sharper and smoother images, and Qualcomm aptX Audio, for clearer and more immersive sounds. The Series 4 also introduces major camera innovations, with Qualcomm's first triple ISP Spectra 345. The system supports shooting from all three smartphone cameras at up to 13 megapixels, and three video captures at up to 720p simultaneously.
Snapdragon 480 5G: when and for which smartphones it arrives
After announcing the new 5G chip for everyone, Qualcomm specified that we won't have to wait much longer to see it in action on the first smartphones that will be equipped with it. The brands that have shown their interest in the new SoC Snapdragon 480 are HDM Global, namely the Finnish company of Nokia-branded smartphones, Oppo and Vivo. The first low-cost smartphones with the new Qualcomm chip could therefore arrive already by early 2021.