Qualcomm Snapdragon 820: Specifications and Features
The Snapdragon 810 was a highly anticipated processor. His numbers in performance and performance are very good but in the first smartphones equipped with it have been serious problems of overheating. For this reason, some manufacturers have avoided in their new handsets. The goal for Qualcomm could only be to regain credibility with a new processor without these problems. Well, it has officially unveiled the new SoC Snapdragon 820 and GPU Adreno 530 to restore confidence in the industry.
Launch of Snapdragon 820
Qualcomm today introduced its new processor is called to be the heart of the high-end smartphones of 2016. Now it is rumored that this terminal will be in future terminals such as Samsung Galaxy S7 and other flagships such as HTC and LG.
To appease users and manufacturers Tim McDonough, head of marketing for Qualcomm, has said in his Twitter account that the new Snapdragon 820 will be able to meet the expectations of all thermal manufacturers. It also ensures that you will feel “cool” (a play on words between good and cold) with a smartphone with a Snapdragon 820 inside.
Technical Specifications Snapdragon820
Qualcomm made official in the first half of August their new processor Snapdragon 820. However, it has not revealed details about the number of cores, nor on the clock speed of the SoC. Details are focused exclusively on the new graphics processing unit, the Adreno 530 GPU.
According to Qualcomm Adreno 530 graphics processor provides enough power to run games comparable to traditional PCs or consoles power qualities and a favorable environment for new applications of virtual reality. “Our intention is to bring the smartphone the same graphical quality we have in PCs,” said Micah Knapp, head of engineering at Qualcomm. He further stated that the new GPU offers 40% more graphics performance and 40% more efficient than the previous model, as we can see in the chart below. Also it is developing a lower model, the Adreno 510, which will provide lower Snapdragon 620 and 618 models.
According to Qualcomm, improvements will be possible thanks to new manufacturing process Snapdragon 820 FinFET , which is similar to the process used in the production of Samsung Exynos 7420. Qualcomm also introduced a new feature called “standalone GPU Power Manager” (independent power manager GPU) to improve power consumption when the GPU is idle. The 64-bit CPU Kyro is completely new and designed by Qualcomm. Its architecture will be the basis for future generations of chips.
Although not confirmed, it seems Qualcomm Samsung will use the facility for the production of its next processor. The Snapdragon 820 will benefit the manufacturing process of 14 nanometers manufacturer of South Korea (already present in the Exynos 7420 Galaxy S6). Therefore, it seems that Qualcomm will break the long association with the company Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), which still uses 20 nanometer technology for transistors (more expensive, bigger and worse for the battery of smartphones). 14 nanometer technology to help avoid overheating problems present in the Snapdragon 810.
Obviously, the new association may ensure the presence of Snapdragon 820 next flagship of the Korean manufacturer, having renounced the Qualcomm chipset with Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge.
Snapdragon 820 Features
Qualcomm Spectra ISP: photos and videos quality SLR
The Spectra of Qualcomm technology promises to greatly enhance the quality of images on smartphones. Michael Mangan, director of production of Qualcomm, said that as the sensors are getting smaller, they also capture less light. Therefore, Spectra ISP is a system to improve the appearance of what is captured. The new technology can reduce interference and noise in images to deliver sharper color and better depth. A new algorithm recognizes dark areas and reduces noise.
The new processor is capable of handling up to 3 cameras simultaneously, two in the back and one in front. In practice, the user via software can change the focus of an image after taking it, as each camera takes a picture with a different approach. In addition, it will support up to 25 MP sensor resolution.
As for the videos, the new processor is capable of recording at 4K 60fps. Tim Leland, Qualcomm vice president of production, said “you can capture clear and sharp images regardless of lighting conditions or the movement, showing colors faithful to reality.” Qualcomm promises superior image to that of an SLR quality.
Improve Qualcomm touch
Some smartphones are waterproof, which is slowly becoming fashionable. But it is not yet possible to use them when the screen is wet because it cannot detect taps correctly. Improve With touch technology, Qualcomm promises to end this problem with the new Snapdragon 820.
The company recently purchased another company that has developed a more efficient system in contact screens, capable of recognizing up touches with splashes of water, thanks to a unique algorithm. Besides improvements using stylus or gloves, all without increasing the production cost.
Qualcomm Zeroth
Qualcomm has developed a new cognitive computing platform, Qualcomm Zeroth. Which it is composed of the following elements:
- Visual perception
- Voice recognition and audio;
- Always-On function (always on).
The combination of these three elements makes the interaction with the device more intelligent and intuitive, which will simplify many aspects of smartphones today. As an example, the visual interaction in cooperation with the smartphone camera. With the new technology of mobile devices will be able to recognize and classify scenes, images and even faces, react appropriately and without command. In the future, no longer you have to manually organize images on your Android.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 3D Sense ID: digital printing technology
Safety is a priority for Qualcomm, and its new technology promises better protect user data. Sense ID Qualcomm Snapdragon 3D is a new type of fingerprint sensor, already used by the government of the United States. It is a 3D ultrasound technology to create a three dimensional image of the fingerprint, ensuring a more precise recognition, even when hands are dirty or cream. Qualcomm already use well established as FIDO (Fast IDentity Online) and UAF (Universal Authentication Framework), to optimize the operation between different devices standards.
In addition, the sensor is able to scan through various materials such as glass, plastics, some metals and sapphire crystal, allowing free choice of materials for finishing smartphones.
What do you think of the new Snapdragon 820?
