[Update: Title updated to reflect the new names of the processors. Snapdragon 618 is now Snapdragon 650, and 620 is now 652 to reflect the better Cortex A72 cores used in those processors]
Qualcomm has announced four new processors including Snapdragon 415 and 425 octa-core Cortex A53 processor, as well a Snapdragon 618 and 620 big.LITTLE processor with the latest Cortex A72 cores coupled with four Cortex A53 little cores.
Snapdragon 618 is the hexa-core version with 2 Cortex A72 cores, while Snapdragon 620 comes with eight cores including 4 Cortex A72, but apart from the difference in number of cores, both share the same technical specifications:
- CPU
- Snapdragon 618 – 64-bit dual-core ARM Cortex A72 @ 1.8GHz and quad-core Cortex A53 @ 1.2GHz
- Snapdragon 620 – 64-bit quad-core ARM Cortex A72 @ 1.8GHz and quad-core Cortex A53 @ 1.2GHz
- GPU – Next generation Qualcomm Adreno GPU with support for the latest graphics APIs, hardware tessellation and geometry shading
- DSP – Qualcomm Hexagon V56 DSP
- Memory – Dual channel LPDDR3 (933MHz)
- Modem
- Integrated X8 LTE, with Global Mode supporting LTE FDD, LTE TDD, WCDMA (DC-HSPA+, DC-HSUPA), CDMA1x, EV-DO, TD-SCDMA and GSM/EDGE
- Cat 7 speeds of up to 300 Mbps down/100 Mbps up via 2×20 MHz carrier aggregation in the downlink and uplink on LTE FDD and LTE TDD
- Support for LTE Broadcast, LTE multimode dual SIM and VoLTE with HD Voice and SRVCC
- RF – Qualcomm RF360 front end solution
- Connectivity
- USB – USB 2.0
- Bluetooth – Bluetooth Smart 4.1
- WiFi – Qualcomm VIVE 1-stream 802.11ac
- GPS – Qualcomm IZat Gen8C
- Video
- 4K@30fps capture, 1080p@120fps capture
- Hardware HEVC (H.265) encode and decode
- Audio
- Qualcomm Immersive Audio
- Hi-Fi 192kHz/24bit music playback
- Support for low power Snapdragon Voice Activation
- Camera – Dual ISPs can support up to 21MP and 930MP/sec throughput
- Display
- Primary Quad HD 2560×1600
- Miracast support for up to 1080p wireless display
- Fast Charging – Quick Charge 2.0
- Security
- Snapdragon StudioAccess Content Protection
- Qualcomm SafeSwitch Technology
- Qualcomm SecureMSM hardware and software foundation
Qualcomm will soon release Qualcomm Reference Design (QRD) versions of the Snapdragon 620, 618, 425 and 415 processors to OEM partners, with retail devices expected in H2 2015. You may find more details on Snapdragon 618 product page, and Snapdragon 620 product brief (PDF).
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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IIUC these SOCs with A72 are going to be mid-rage, because they are not using a recommended 16nm FinFET process.
Tom’s Hardware:
The surprisingly fast release of Cortex-A72 chips, along with “midrange” branding for the 618 and 620, comes mainly as a consequence of building these chips on the old 28nm planar process (according to a Qualcomm spokesperson), rather than the recommended 16nm (or 14nm) FinFET process for the high-performance Cortex-A72 core. This could increase the power consumption of the Snapdragon 618 and Snapdragon 620 significantly, which is probably why Qualcomm decided to use more conservative clock speeds for them.
I really don’t get it, why they don’t implement a Apt-X bluetooth technology, how can HTC and Sony use the Apt-X for a years now and qualcomm is strugling behind with newer and newer version of BT, without Apt-X which can transfer even FLAC.
“Display
Primary Quad HD 2560×1600”
Wouldn’t Quad HD be 3840 x 2160?
2560 x 1600 is WQXGA (Wide Quad Extended Graphics Array).
@alfon
HD starts at 720p (1280×720), so in theory Quad HD (QHD) should be something like 2560×1440.
I’ve always found the name used for resolution to be confusing: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphics_display_resolution
The “Quad HD 2560×1600” part was listed on Qualcomm website, and I did not checked it into details at first.
Snapdragon 620 becomes Snapdragon 652
Snapdragon 618 becomes Snapdradon 650
http://liliputing.com/2015/12/qualcomm-snapdragon-620-and-618-renamed-to-652-and-650.html