Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 Chipset Announced: Flagship Features to More Wallet-Friendly Smartphones

Highlights

• Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 offers a flagship experience at an affordable price.
• Features include a robust CPU layout, FastConnect 7800 suite, and LPDDR5X RAM support.
• Introduces generative AI capabilities with support for models up to 10 billion parameters.
• Expected in smartphones priced between $500 to $800, launching later this month.

Qualcomm has just lifted the veil on its latest creation, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, bringing flagship features to a more affordable tier of smartphones.

Tailored for those who seek the high-end Snapdragon experience without the premium price tag, the 8s Gen 3 will likely be a compelling alternative to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, boasting several shared features with its more expensive counterpart.

Bridging the Performance Gap

The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 has a similar CPU layout to the 8 Gen 3, including one Cortex-X4 big core, four Cortex-A720 medium cores, and three Cortex-A520 little cores.

Although these cores operate at reduced clock speeds, they still promise robust performance for a range of tasks.

Manufactured using the TSMC 4nm process, the chipset also supports LPDDR5X RAM.

Connectivity isn’t compromised, with the inclusion of the FastConnect 7800 suite and the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 also dips into the realm of generative AI, supporting models with up to 10 billion parameters.

As for pricing, it is projected that $500 to $800 devices will be featuring this new chipset, offering consumers a taste of flagship performance without the flagship price.

Subtle Downgrades, Substantial Savings

While the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 mirrors its higher-end sibling in several areas, it also introduces some deliberate downgrades to achieve a more attractive price point.

The Adreno GPU, for instance, traces its lineage back to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, omitting some of the latest enhancements such as global illumination.

However, optimisations ensure that it remains a powerhouse for gaming, with features like hardware-based ray tracing and super-resolution support firmly in place.

The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 also steps back slightly in modem capabilities, incorporating the X70 modem with Release 17 support and a peak downlink speed of 5Gbps.

Yet, it retains cutting-edge features like satellite communication.

Camera technology on the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is no slouch either, offering a triple ISP for seamless transitions between cameras, support for up to 200MP sensors, and advanced video capabilities, albeit with a shift in focus towards more commonly used recording formats.

Other features include support for QHD+ screens with refresh rates up to 144Hz, Quick Charge 5, Snapdragon Seamless integration, and the latest in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies, making the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 a comprehensive package while not being a big hit on the spender’s wallet.

Looking Ahead

Anticipation is building as the first smartphones powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 are expected to hit the market later this month.

Brands like HONOR, Iqoo, Realme, Redmi, and Xiaomi have been confirmed as partners, with Qualcomm also hinting at a presence in the US market through likely collaborations with Motorola, Samsung, or OnePlus.

FAQs

What is the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3?

The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is Qualcomm’s latest chipset, designed to deliver high-end smartphone features at a more accessible price point, without compromising on performance.

How does the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 compare to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3?

While the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 shares a similar CPU layout and several features with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, it has been adjusted for cost-effectiveness with slight downgrades in the GPU and modem capabilities.

Which smartphones will feature the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3?

Smartphones from brands like HONOR, Iqoo, Realme, Redmi, and Xiaomi are expected to launch with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, with the first devices hitting the market later this month.

What are the key features of the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3?

Key features include generative AI support, advanced camera capabilities, high-speed connectivity options, and support for high-refresh-rate QHD+ screens, offering a comprehensive package for tech-savvy users.

Will the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 be available in the US?

Yes, Qualcomm has confirmed that smartphones powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 will be available in the US, with potential offerings from brands like Motorola, Samsung, or OnePlus.

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