Qualcomm's New Chips Are for Next-Gen Gaming Handhelds

Qualcomm unveils three new chipsets designed to power the next generation of Android gaming handhelds. These chips will be featured in upcoming devices from Retroid Pocket, Ayaneo, and other manufacturers.

The handheld gaming market has exploded in recent years, dominated largely by Steam Deck and similar Windows-based devices. However, a significant segment exists in the lighter, more affordable Android market, catering primarily to retro gaming emulation, local game streaming from PCs or consoles, and cloud gaming. The energy efficiency of ARM chips from Qualcomm, MediaTek, and others provides superior battery life compared to their Windows-based counterparts, making them ideal for less demanding tasks like playing Game Boy Advance or PS1 titles.

Qualcomm's announcement includes three new chipsets: the Snapdragon G3 Gen 3, Snapdragon G2 Gen 2, and Snapdragon G1 Gen 2. The G3 represents the top-tier offering, the G1 is optimized for game streaming, and the G2 sits in between.

Snapdragon G3 Gen 3: High-Performance Powerhouse

The Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 boasts an 8-core Qualcomm Kryo CPU (1 prime core, 5 performance cores, 2 efficiency cores), a Qualcomm Adreno A32 GPU, and support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, QHD displays up to 144Hz, hardware-accelerated ray tracing, and Snapdragon Game Super Resolution upscaling. Significantly, it's the first Snapdragon G-series chip to support Lumen, Unreal Engine 5's dynamic global illumination and reflections system.

Qualcomm claims a 30% CPU performance increase and a 28% GPU performance boost compared to its predecessor, the Snapdragon G3 Gen 2 (featured in the AYANEO Pocket S). AYANEO is already preparing two new handhelds utilizing the G3 Gen 3: the AYANEO Pocket S2 (6.3-inch 2K screen) and the AYANEO Gaming Pad (8.3-inch 2K 120Hz screen with advanced cooling).

This chipset is geared towards high-end Android gaming, handling titles like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile, Genshin Impact, and GRID Autosport with ease. The performance jump from the previous generation suggests the G3 Gen 3 could even handle emulation of PS2/GameCube-era games. Cloud gaming performance should also be significantly enhanced, particularly on Wi-Fi 6E or 7 networks.

Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 and G1 Gen 2: Efficiency and Streaming Focus

The Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 offers a balance of performance and efficiency, prioritizing cloud gaming and local game streaming. It features a 2.3x CPU performance improvement and a 3.8x GPU speed increase over the G2 Gen 1. Specifications include an 8-core CPU (1 prime core, 4 performance cores, 3 efficiency cores), an Adreno A22 GPU, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, and up to 144Hz display support.

At the entry-level, the Snapdragon G1 Gen 2 prioritizes battery life with its 8-core CPU (2 performance cores, 6 efficiency cores). Ideal for cloud gaming and basic emulation, it will power the upcoming Retroid Pocket PR Classic (pictured above), featuring 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, and a 1080x1240 AMOLED screen, available for pre-order in March.

While the Steam Deck and similar devices dominate the conversation, the advancements in Android-based handhelds are noteworthy. The improved hardware options, exemplified by these new Qualcomm chipsets, offer a compelling alternative for those seeking lightweight, silent, and long-lasting devices. The future of Android handheld gaming looks bright.

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