Qualcomm Unveils Third-Generation Snapdragon 8s Flagship Mobile Platform

Recently, Qualcomm held a product launch event, introducing the first new-generation flagship platform since the birth of the Snapdragon 8 flagship mobile platform: the third-generation Snapdragon 8s. This marks Qualcomm’s hierarchical expansion of the Snapdragon flagship mobile platform and signifies that consumers will have a wider range of choices in the flagship smartphone market in the future.

Currently, in the high-end flagship market, Qualcomm’s main mobile platform products are the second-generation Snapdragon 8 and the third-generation Snapdragon 8, both positioned at the top-tier flagship and innovation benchmarks. The emergence of the third-generation Snapdragon 8s mobile platform enriches Qualcomm’s product matrix in the flagship market. As a new-generation flagship, the third-generation Snapdragon 8s carefully selected the most loved flagship features by users. Many key technologies and functionalities have been retained, making future products equipped with this mobile platform highly anticipated in terms of user experience.

Today, let’s take a closer look at the innovative features that this “new-generation flagship” phone can bring.

AI Innovation Continues, Smooth Operation of Large Models with Billions of Parameters

First of all, in terms of basic performance, the third-generation Snapdragon 8s mobile platform still features the Qualcomm Kryo CPU, inheriting the same new CPU architecture as the third-generation Snapdragon 8’s flagship platform. It includes a super core with a clock speed of 3.0GHz, 4 performance cores with clock speeds of up to 2.8GHz, and 3 efficiency cores with clock speeds of 2.0GHz. While there is a certain decrease in core frequencies compared to the third-generation Snapdragon 8, the overall level is still very high.

In fact, in GeekBench 6 multi-threaded performance tests, compared to similar positioned competitors, the CPU performance of the third-generation Snapdragon 8s is ahead by 20%. In terms of power efficiency, based on the average test results of 8 popular mobile games, the game performance efficiency of the third-generation Snapdragon 8s also surpasses competitors by 15%.

Compared to general processing performance, the first highlight of the third-generation Snapdragon 8s lies in AI. As we have seen, the technological revolution caused by generative AI has already emerged. Simultaneously, “AI phones” are becoming the next major trend in smartphone development. In this regard, the third-generation Snapdragon 8s inherits the powerful AI capabilities of the third-generation Snapdragon 8, providing optimal AI performance through the heterogeneous computing of Hexagon NPU, Kryo CPU, and Adreno GPU.

Specifically, in AI scenarios such as image classification, object detection, image segmentation v2.0, and language comprehension, the third-generation Snapdragon 8s demonstrates advantages compared to competitors in the same category, with over 4 times faster object detection, nearly 3 times better background blurring, about 1 time better image segmentation, and around 3 times superior language comprehension.

Furthermore, in terms of generative AI, the third-generation Snapdragon 8s platform supports running multimodal generative AI models on the device, with model parameters reaching up to 100 billion. This platform also supports a wider range of AI large models, including Baichuan-7B, Google Gemini Nano, Llama2, and ChatGLM, among others. This undoubtedly brings new capabilities to end products.

From an application perspective, based on generative AI, the third-generation Snapdragon 8s can provide functionalities similar to virtual assistants, offering users various assistive information in a more seamless and intuitive manner for their daily lives or enabling rapid image generation.

Moreover, with the integration of people’s imagination, on-device AI can turn creativity into reality. For instance, combining image capabilities with creativity can create interesting and meaningful functions. Additionally, on-device photo extensions can generate content beyond the original captured image and seamlessly integrate it with the original photo.

Furthermore, the third-generation Snapdragon 8s also supports INT4 precision, allowing for better power efficiency without sacrificing accuracy and performance.

Not only that, the third-generation Snapdragon 8s will also feature AI-enhanced GPU capabilities, effectively boosting performance and reducing power consumption during high-load graphic processing demands, providing a smooth, lag-free user experience. # Enhanced Performance and Efficiency with Snapdragon 8s Gen 3

Playing games on a smartphone equipped with the third-generation Snapdragon 8s platform promises a smoother experience while consuming less power.

A Holistic Experience with AI from Imaging to Audio

In addition to enhanced AI performance and support for on-device AI models, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 benefits from AI in various aspects such as imaging and gaming, delivering a comprehensive flagship-level experience.

For instance, in terms of imaging, the impact and significance of AI on the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 platform are evident. Equipped with three 18-bit cognitive ISPs (Cognitive 18-bit Triple ISP) and powered by Hexagon NPU for heterogeneous computing, it offers a range of intelligent imaging features.

The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 platform supports real-time semantic segmentation of photos and videos with up to 12 layers, enabling more precise recognition and segmentation of objects and scenes.

Moreover, it also enables Snapdragon low-light photography. Leveraging the Cognitive 18-bit Triple ISP and Hexagon NPU, it ensures bright, clear, and colorful images even in low-light conditions.

In addition to maintaining top-tier imaging capabilities, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 supports Snapdragon Elite Gaming for an enhanced gaming experience. It features hardware-accelerated real-time ray tracing, realistic rendering of ambient occlusion for environmental shadows, precise reflections on smooth surfaces, and high-fidelity soft shadow rendering, elevating the gaming visuals to a new level.

Another significant gaming feature supported by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is the Qualcomm Adreno Image Motion Engine 2.0. By utilizing the GPU, it enhances game content to double the frame rate without consuming additional power, surpassing the performance of the previous Adreno Image Motion Engine 1.0.

Furthermore, it supports Snapdragon Game Resolution Boost technology, effectively upscaling game resolution from 4K to 8K in less than 3 milliseconds.

As for audio, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 features Snapdragon Sound technology for pristine voice and video calls, seamless in-game voice chats, robust connectivity in crowded RF environments, and support for 16-bit 44.1KHz CD-quality lossless wireless music streaming.

Moreover, the Qualcomm Aqstic speaker amplification technology on the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 platform significantly enhances the phone’s audio output quality. Through audio post-processing and mitigating distortion at high volume levels, it elevates audio quality and delivers immersive stereo sound beyond typical phone standards.

The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 also supports spatial audio features based on head tracking. By dynamically tracking the user’s head movements, it adjusts the sound accordingly, providing a fully immersive spatial audio experience.

In terms of connectivity, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 platform integrates the Snapdragon X70 5G modem and RF system, similar to its predecessor’s flagship devices. The Snapdragon X70 introduces the world’s first 5G AI processor, supporting advanced features such as Qualcomm 5G AI Suite, Qualcomm 5G Ultra-Low Latency Suite, 3rd Gen Qualcomm 5G PowerSave, Sub-6GHz 4-carrier aggregation, and 5G R17 advanced capabilities, enabling up to 10Gbps of 5G transmission speed.

On the WiFi front, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 integrates the flagship FastConnect 7800 connectivity system, supporting Qualcomm’s advanced Wi-Fi 7 features such as High Bandwidth Sharing (HBS) for high-frequency multi-connection concurrency technology. ### FastConnect 7800 Boosts Third-Generation Snapdragon 8s to Achieve Global Fastest Wi-Fi Supporting HBS

Paired with FastConnect 7800, the third-generation Snapdragon 8s can achieve the world’s fastest Wi-Fi supporting HBS, with peak bandwidth reaching up to 5.8Gbps in the 6GHz frequency band.

In terms of security, Qualcomm has developed device-level security mechanisms through Snapdragon Secure, an advanced technology aimed at protecting user data and privacy. Qualcomm prioritizes trust management highly, aiming to provide users with a reliable security experience foundation.

Additionally, the security technology of the third-generation Snapdragon 8s features multiple layers of defense, including platform security basics, Qualcomm Trusted Execution Environment (TEE), Qualcomm Hypervisor, Trust Management Engine (TME), as well as Qualcomm’s 3D Sonic and 3D Sonic Max ultrasonic fingerprint sensors. Through this series of measures, the confidentiality of sensitive information is ensured.

The AI era is fast approaching, welcoming a new cycle, and the third-generation Snapdragon 8s comes at the right time.

If we were to predict the development theme of the Chinese smartphone market this year, we would use three words: “AI,” “Revival,” and continued “High-End.”

Firstly, the global technological wave ignited by Generative AI is intensifying like a fire, and this year, the widespread implementation and expansion of Generative AI applications will become a major trend, with terminals undoubtedly being the key carriers. Thus, starting from the beginning of the year, major smartphone manufacturers have announced their “All in AI” strategies, with 2024 widely regarded as the “first year of intelligent smartphone AI.”

Apart from AI, the pursuit of high-end differentiation will remain a major goal in the smartphone market this year. According to the IDC report, the market share of high-end smartphones above $600 in the Chinese smartphone market in 2023 reached 27.4%, increasing by 3.7 percentage points year-on-year, while the market space for products representing the mid-range segment of $200-$600 is narrowing.

In the competition for high-end differentiation in the market, “innovation” is the most important weapon. Considering that AI, despite being currently popular, is still in its early stages in terms of technology and application, for terminal manufacturers, while gearing up for AI, there is a need to continue honing in on the high-end market and further segmenting the market.

The third point is “Revival”. It can be foreseen that the Chinese smartphone market in 2024 is expected to continue the revival trend that emerged last year. According to a report released earlier by Canalys, the shipment volume of smartphones in mainland China in the fourth quarter of 2023 has narrowed down to a 1% decline, showing initial signs of recovery. They also predict that smartphone shipments in 2024 will grow by 4%, reaching 1.17 billion units.

On one hand, with the rapid development of AI on its way to mass adoption, and on the other hand, terminal manufacturers focusing on refining their high-end market strategies, stimulating a new replacement cycle in the overall smartphone market. In this context, the release of the third-generation Snapdragon 8s mobile platform comes at an opportune time. By inheriting the leading AI capabilities of the top-tier third-generation Snapdragon 8 platform, it further extends the terminal-side AI experience to more smartphones, meeting the era’s demand for the widespread expansion of Generative AI. Additionally, through comprehensive innovations in imaging, gaming, audio, connectivity, security, and other aspects, it brings a versatile experience comparable to top-tier flagship smartphones for the new generation of flagship phones.

It can be predicted that the next generation of flagship smartphones launched by many terminal manufacturers integrating the third-generation Snapdragon 8s platform will not only enrich and enhance the high-end market product matrix for manufacturers but also provide consumers with an excellent choice to obtain a top-tier mobile experience at a relatively affordable price, further revitalizing and energizing the overall smartphone market.

As Chris Patrick, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Mobile Business, said at the conference:

“Through Snapdragon’s powerful mobile performance, we bring users outstanding gaming, stunning visuals, immersive viewing, dynamic sound effects, and more rich experiences in their daily lives. Snapdragon has become synonymous with top-tier mobile experiences.”

It is also believed that such mobile experiences will unleash even more powerful energy in the future convergence of 5G and AI.