Qualcomm Unveils Snapdragon 660 and 630 Processors for Mid-Range Devices
Key Takeaways
- New Snapdragon 660 and 630 chips promise better performance and features for mid-range phones
- Includes Quick Charge 4, Bluetooth 5.0, and Spectra 160 for enhanced imaging
- Snapdragon 660 offers 20% CPU and 30% GPU gains over its predecessor, while Snapdragon 630 provides 10% CPU and 30% GPU gains
Qualcomm Launches Snapdragon 660 and 630 Chipsets
Qualcomm has introduced two new system-on-chips, the Snapdragon 660 and Snapdragon 630, designed to deliver premium capabilities to mid-range smartphones. These processors replace the Snapdragon 653 and Snapdragon 626, respectively, and bring several enhancements including faster charging, better connectivity, improved imaging, stronger security, and advancements in machine learning.
Key Features and Specifications
Both chips support X12 LTE technology, previously found in flagship models, enabling robust wireless performance. They also include Bluetooth 5.0, the latest iteration of the Bluetooth standard. Additionally, devices powered by these chips will feature Quick Charge 4 technology, allowing a five-minute charge to provide five hours of talk time or a 50% charge in just 15 minutes a capability first seen in the Snapdragon 835.
The new processors incorporate the Qualcomm Spectra 160 image signal processor, which improves image quality, offers more natural skin tones, and enhances performance in low-light conditions. They also support smooth optical zoom, dual-pixel autofocus, and better video stabilization.
In terms of performance, the Snapdragon 660 delivers a 20% increase in CPU speed and a 30% boost in GPU performance compared to the Snapdragon 653. The Snapdragon 630 provides a 10% CPU improvement and a 30% GPU upgrade over the Snapdragon 626.
Detailed Specifications
Snapdragon 660
- CPU: 4x Kryo 260 at 2.2GHz, 4x Cortex-A53 at 2.2GHz
- GPU: Adreno 512 with Vulkan API
- Co-processors: Hexagon 680 + HVX, All-Ways Aware, Spectra 160
- LTE: X12 LTE with 600Mbps downlink, 150Mbps uplink, 3x20MHz carrier aggregation, up to 256-QAM
- ISP/Camera: Dual 14-bit Spectra 160 ISP supporting up to 24MP cameras
- Memory: 2x 32-bit LPDDR4 at 1866MHz (29.9 GB/s)
- Bluetooth: 5.0
- Quick Charge: Version 4
- Manufacturing Process: 14 nm
Snapdragon 630
- CPU: 4x Kryo 260 at 1.8GHz, 4x Cortex-A53 at 1.8GHz
- GPU: Adreno 508 with Vulkan API
- Co-processors: Hexagon 642, All-Ways Aware, Spectra 160
- LTE: X12 LTE with 600Mbps downlink, 150Mbps uplink, 3x20MHz carrier aggregation, up to 256-QAM
- ISP/Camera: Dual 14-bit Spectra 160 ISP supporting up to 24MP cameras
- Memory: 2x 16-bit LPDDR4 at 1333MHz (10.66 GB/s)
- Bluetooth: 5.0
- Quick Charge: Version 4
- Manufacturing Process: 14 nm
Devices featuring the Snapdragon 630 will begin shipping next quarter, while those with the Snapdragon 660 are expected to arrive by the end of the current quarter.
