Qualcomm unveiled its latest mobile chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, at its annual Snapdragon Summit. One of the standout features of this new chipset is the introduction of on-device generative AI, similar to Google’s Tensor G3. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s AI Engine supports multi-modal generative AI models and features the world’s fastest Stable Diffusion system, capable of generating an image in under a second. This means users can easily create backgrounds and images for social media posts in no time.
One of the key advantages of on-device AI is that the GAI requests are handled directly on the device, ensuring privacy. Qualcomm’s AI assistant, based on Meta’s Llama 2 language learning model, can securely use personal data such as favorite activities, location, and fitness level to provide more personalized responses.
The Qualcomm Sensing Hub, which powers this feature, delivers an AI performance increase of up to 3.5 times compared to Qualcomm’s previous mobile chipset. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 also boasts up to 98 percent faster Hexagon NPU performance and 40 percent better performance per watt.
The camera and editing systems integrated into the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offer advanced features like removing people and objects from videos with a tap of a finger. Users can expect voice-activated GAI photo and video editing thanks to the Cognitive ISP. Additionally, the chipset allows for optimizing different parts of a photo in up to 12 layers, regardless of whether it was captured with the front or back camera.
The Photo Expansion feature utilizes GAI to extend the borders of a photo, similar to Adobe’s Generative Fill tool. The Vlogger’s View mode enables users to simultaneously share videos from both the rear and front-facing cameras, allowing for narrations while capturing the vlog.
Qualcomm’s Dolby HDR technology enables image playback and capture with a fuller range of colors, tones, and shades. To ensure the authenticity of photos, users can apply a cryptographic seal from Truepic, indicating that the photo is genuine and not created with GAI.
Moreover, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 introduces significant gaming upgrades. It supports Unreal Engine 5.2 and features hardware-accelerated ray-tracing with global illumination, making it the first mobile chipset to offer this capability. As a result, users can enjoy lifelike, multi-source lighting in games.
The Adreno Frame Motion Engine 2.0 doubles framerates while maintaining the same power consumption as the previous chipset. When connected to an external 240Hz display, devices powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 can reach up to 240 fps in gaming.
Snapdragon Game Super Resolution, Qualcomm’s answer to upscaling technology, allows games to run at up to 8K on supported displays. Qualcomm has open-sourced this feature to foster innovation in the gaming industry.
In terms of audio, Qualcomm ensures millisecond-level audio syncing, eliminating any potential lag when using earbuds. Its Expanded Personal Area Network Technology system guarantees uninterrupted lossless audio even when users move away from their phones or between different rooms. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 supports 24-bit 96 kHz lossless music over Bluetooth.
Connectivity-wise, Qualcomm leverages AI hardware acceleration in the X75 Modem-RF System to improve 5G speeds, coverage, mobility, link robustness, and location accuracy. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 also supports Wi-Fi 7.
Compared to its predecessor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers significant performance improvements. The Kryo CPU delivers 30 percent better performance and 20 percent more power efficiency, while the GPU provides users with a 25 percent performance boost, 25 percent greater power efficiency, and a 40 percent upgrade in ray-tracing capabilities. Overall, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is expected to save 10 percent more power compared to last year’s chip.
Consumers won’t have to wait long to experience the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 as devices powered by this chipset will start appearing in the coming weeks. Leading brands and manufacturers, including Sony, ASUS, OnePlus, Oppo, Vivo, Xiaomi, Honor, and ZTE, are already planning to incorporate the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 into their devices.
