Qualcomm launches Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 chip to bring 5G internet to cheap phones

O Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 is Qualcomm’s latest SoC for mid-range and even some entry-level smartphones. It comes with eight CPU cores, Adreno GPU and uses 4-nanometer technology. The first devices with this chip are expected to hit the market in 2024.

Of the eight cores, six are designed for power conservation and run at up to 1.8GHz. The other two are used for heavy-duty tasks and can reach 2GHz. Qualcomm didn’t go into details about the GPU, but said it supports H.265 or VP9 video decoding.

There’s also support for OpenGL ES 3.2, OpenCL 2.0, and Vulkan 1.1. Even so, top-of-the-line graphics performance isn’t expected, as the chip supports Full HD+ displays with up to 90Hz refresh, indicating its focus on mid-range devices.

Qualcomm is highlighting the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2’s 5G support. The chip aims to expand 5G access to more affordable phones. Chris Patrick, Qualcomm’s general manager of mobile devices, said:

“The Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 Mobile Platform is a significant leap forward in making 5G technology more accessible, so more people can navigate the world at 5G speeds.“

The integrated modem supports 5G Standalone (SA) at frequencies below 6 GHz, achieving downloads of up to 1 Gb/s.

As for connectivity, the chip supports Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, and USB 3.1 Gen 1 connections via USB-C. In terms of cameras, it supports two rear cameras of up to 16 megapixels each or a single 32 megapixel camera, with 1080p videos. For geolocation, it offers GPS, Glonass, BeiDou, Galileo, NavIC, QZSS, and GNSS (L1 + L5).

In addition, the SoC supports LDDDR4x memories up to 2,133 MHz and has Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 4+, which promises to charge 50% of the battery in 15 minutes. As announced, the first smartphones with the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 should be launched by the end of 2024.