Don't you have a feeling that modern mobile processors are already too powerful? Okay, a rhetorical question, but still…. Modern processors have one problem – they need to constantly somehow increase their performance, but this is becoming more and more difficult. Nevertheless, Qualcomm presented a processor that was the first to step over the psychological threshold of 3 GHz, which is a lot for mobile technology. Despite the fact that the processor has just been shown, there are already at least two smartphones that will definitely receive it. There is one more, the chances of which for a novelty are slightly lower, but they are. So what is so remarkable about this processor and which smartphones will get it?
The new Snapdragon processor will break everyone. At least for now.
New Snapdragon 865 Plus processor
Snapdragon is undoubtedly the most demanded, most massive and coolest processor in terms of overall performance for Android – smartphones. It doesn't even depend on the specific model. In almost every niche, it is Qualcomm's chipsets that command more respect than others. Some other manufacturers may offer something that will be better in one of the operating modes, but in general, it is Snapdragon processors that provide a comprehensive operation of devices under their control, and this is very good.
Thanks to its versatility, built-in (in some models) modem 5G and wide multimedia capabilities, Snapdragon attracts a lot of interest with the release of each new model. As usual, in the second half of the year, the company offers an improvement to its flagship processor and releases a plus version.
It happened this time too, when Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon 865 Plus. That being said, last year the release of the Snapdragon 855 Plus after the Snapdragon 855 was only a minor improvement, for which many criticized the company. This year everything is different and the new processor is not only very productive, but it was also the first to cross the psychological performance line, to which others are only approaching.
Snapdragon 865 Plus Specifications
The Snapdragon 865 Plus provides improved speeds for the main processor and Adreno 650 GPU. The main core frequency has now been increased from 2.84 GHz to 3.1 GHz. This is the very psychological line that had to be overcome. It is noteworthy that they did this in the intermediate version of the processor, and not in the main one. That is, the company did not wait for the Snapdragon 875.
Snapdragon chips have always been something special.
It is worth noting that the changes affected only the main core and did not affect the rest. They both worked and will continue to work. That is, the performance has improved greatly in single-core mode. In multi-core, the improvement will be slightly less significant than it might initially seem.
Meanwhile, Qualcomm says the Adreno 650 GPU is now capable of 10% faster graphics rendering compared to the regular Snapdragon 865 GPU. However, the chipmaker did not disclose the actual clock speed of the Snapdragon 865 Plus GPU.
Even such an increase in the performance of the graphics chip will improve the smoothness of work in complex graphics calculations and when working with a smartphone in general. This is especially true due to the fact that more brands and developers are using high refresh rates.
Qualcomm has always done what was expected of it.
How the Snapdragon 865 Plus differs from the Snapdragon 865
These are not the only changes made to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus as the processor also supports the upgraded wireless connection via the FastConnect 6900 package. This update means you get Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 instead of Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1.
Everything that users and smartphone manufacturers love the Snapdragon 865 for will remain in the plus version. These will include a 144Hz refresh rate, 8K video recording capability, support for cameras up to 200MP, all-round support 5G (mmWave and sub-6GHz), and Quick Charge 4 Plus.
Which smartphones will get the Snapdragon 865 Plus
Already, we can name at least two smartphones that will receive the new chipset. Since it is most relevant for games, these models suggest themselves. They will be ASUS ROG Phone 3 and Lenovo Legion Gaming Phone. That is, two gaming smartphones that make no sense to release if they do not receive the most top-end hardware. Without it, they will be ordinary flagships without the usual halo of advanced technologies. It is not surprising that their release is adjusted precisely to the release of the new processor.
The iconic ROG Phone will be one of the first to feature the Snapdragon 865 Plus.
So far, only these two smartphones will definitely receive a new processor. Over time, they will most likely be joined by a couple more smartphones, but there is no need to expect widespread use. Moreover, it is very expensive, and this will lead to an increase in the price of a smartphone, which now (especially now) no one wants.
Among these “pair of smartphones” will certainly be OnePlus, which traditionally releases the T-version of its devices. There were also rumors that the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Ultra will receive this chipset, but so far there are some doubts about this. However, this scenario is not entirely excluded.