Qualcomm has announced the Snapdragon 480 5G processor which brings next generation of mobile connectivity to affordable price points with entry-level phones. The Snapdragon 480 follows the Snapdragon 460 chip that was launched back in January 2020 and is the first 4-series SoC to offer 5G support.
"Qualcomm Technologies continues to accelerate 5G commercialization globally to make 5G smartphones more accessible, especially as people worldwide continue to connect remotely. The Snapdragon 480 5G Mobile Platform will exceed OEM’s and consumer’s expectations in delivering high-and mid-tier features at an affordable price,” said Kedar Kondap, Vice President, Product Management at Qualcomm Technologies.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 processor is manufactured on an 8nm process and features the integrated Snapdragon X51 5G Modem-RF system that brings support for mmWave and Sub-6GHz 5G with Standalone (SA) and Non-standalone (NSA) modes. It also enables multi-gigabit 5G connectivity for fast download and upload speeds. The chipset offers support for dual Wi-Fi antennas with Wi-Fi 6 features, dual-frequency GPS and NavIC for positioning systems.
Qualcomm claims that the Snapdragon 480 can deliver up to 100% performance improvements when it comes to peak CPU and GPU performance. The SoC features Kryo 460 CPU running at up to 2.0GHz, Adreno 610 GPU and Hexagon 686 processor that enable up to 100% performance gains in CPU and GPU performance and up to 70% AI performance improvement in comparison to Snapdragon 460 processor.
The Snapdragon 480 is also the first processor that brings in support for Quick Charge 4+ technology. It is also equipped with Spectra 345 ISP that supports receiving input from three camera units simultaneously. The Snapdragon 480 supports triple 13MP cameras in ultra-wide, wide and telephoto arrangement and can also record 720p videos simultaneously.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 processor also supports Full HD+ displays with 120Hz high-refresh-rate for a smooth and lag-free experience. It also supports aptX audio, optimized gaming experience, seamless streaming and more.
Several OEMs have ushered in support for the new Snapdragon 480 processor including OnePlus, Oppo, Nokia, to name a few. OnePlus is planning to launch a phone based on the Snapdragon 480 processor and it could likely be the successor to the OnePlus Nord N100.
“We can’t wait to deliver advanced 5G capabilities to the mass market through an upcoming device based on the new Snapdragon 480 5G Mobile Platform,” said Kinder Liu, Chief Operating Officer at OnePlus.