Qualcomm will now refer to its Snapdragon processors as ‘platforms’

Chip maker Qualcomm is changing the way it refers to its Snapdragon processors. The company will now stop naming their Snapdragon SoCs as processors, and will deem them ‘platforms’ instead. The company announced this update in a recent blogpost noting that the word ‘processor’ is an inadequate representation of an advanced chip which holds much more than just the processing unit.

“In truth, Snapdragon is more than a single component, a piece of silicon, or what many would misinterpret as the CPU; it’s an anthology of technology, comprising hardware, software, and services that are not fully captured in a word like “processor.” That is why Qualcomm Technologies is refining our terminology by referring to Snapdragon as a “platform” instead of a processor,” wrote Don McGuire, Vice President, Product Marketing at Qualcomm.

Processors are also often referred to as SoCs or Systems on Chips because of the number of components integrated on the chip. In its post, Qualcomm lists a number of these technologies such as integrated modems, CPUs, GPUs, DSPs, RF Front Ends, and more. According to Qualcomm, the term ‘platform’ will be used to explain a whole array of customer experiences including, camera, connectivity, battery life, security and immersion. The company says these experiences are not just limited to mobile phones, but to other verticals such as PCs, IoT, IP cameras, drones, VR/AR headsets and automotive.

Further, Qualcomm also announced that the processors under its Snapdragon 200 tier, will shed the ‘Snapdragon’ brand. Only premium mobile platforms will be referred to as Snapdragon platforms, while those in the 200 tier will adopt the new Qualcomm Mobile name. The new Qualcomm Mobile brand will help chip enthusiasts differentiate between the company’s high-end chipsets and its entry-level offerings.

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Adamya Sharma

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