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Qualcomm's new chips boost budget phones with Wi-Fi 7
7 May
Summary
- New Qualcomm processors support Wi-Fi 7 for faster speeds.
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 enhances gaming with 144Hz refresh rates.
- Qualcomm launches new chips amid rising electronics costs.
Qualcomm has introduced two new processors designed for budget-friendly smartphones: the Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 and Snapdragon 4 Gen 5. These chips bring advanced features like Wi-Fi 7 support to lower-cost devices. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 is the first in its series to offer Wi-Fi 7, which promises faster wireless speeds and improved network multitasking when paired with a compatible router. It also includes Bluetooth 6.0 for quicker device pairing and reduced audio latency.
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 aims to improve the gaming performance on less expensive phones. It introduces support for 144Hz refresh rates and 90 frames per second, features typically found on high-end gaming phones. This development is particularly noteworthy given the current global RAM shortage and rising electronics costs, focusing attention on value-driven smartphone options.
While these new processors offer significant upgrades, the exact timeline for their appearance in consumer devices remains uncertain due to intense competition in the component manufacturing sector. Other companies like MediaTek, Google, and Samsung also produce processors for the budget smartphone market, with Google's Tensor G4 and Samsung's Exynos 1680 powering their respective under-$500 devices.
