Introduction: Qualcomm has taken a significant step in the handheld gaming arena by launching the Snapdragon G3 Gen 3, a innovative chip designed specifically for handheld consoles. This new addition to the Snapdragon G family promises to bring enhanced graphics capabilities and increased performance, setting a new standard for portable gaming devices.
Since 2023, Qualcomm has been dedicated to producing specialized Snapdragon chips for handheld gaming consoles, distinct from those used in smartphones and tablets. Today, the company has made exciting updates to its lineup with the introduction of the Snapdragon G3 Gen 3.
The Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 stands out as the first chip in the G-series family to incorporate Unreal Engine 5’s Lumen technology. This dynamic global illumination and reflections system enhances visual realism in games, providing captivating environments. Furthermore, the chip also features hardware acceleration for ray tracing, a capability that was absent in previous G-series models.
Performance improvements are key with the Gen 3 chip. It boasts an 8-core CPU configuration (1 prime, 5 performance, and 2 efficiency), offering a remarkable 30% increase in speed compared to its predecessor, the G3 Gen 2. Accompanying this is the new Adreno A32 GPU, which delivers a 28% performance boost.
The Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 also sees significant advancements, featuring a 2.3x enhancement in CPU performance and an astounding 3.8x increase in GPU capabilities. While this chip has a different core architecture (1+4+3), Qualcomm has not specified whether these cores are based on Kryo or Oryon technology.
Both the G3 and G2 versions are capable of driving QHD+ displays at refresh rates up to 144Hz, providing an excellent gaming experience. In terms of connectivity, these new chips support Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3, with optional 5G support (both sub-6GHz and mmWave).
For those seeking a budget-friendly option, the Snapdragon G1 Gen 2 is designed primarily for cloud gaming. It offers support for 1080p+ displays at up to 120Hz, along with Wi-Fi 5 (ac) and Bluetooth 5.1, with a 5G option also available.
The G1 Gen 2 chip improves efficiency, providing an 80% speed enhancement over its predecessor, although the new GPU, Adreno A12, offers a modest performance increase of 25%. This chip prioritizes efficient power consumption over sheer performance.
Qualcomm has announced that starting this quarter, new handheld gaming devices powered by these latest Snapdragon G chips will be launched by several manufacturers, including AYANEO, ONEXSUGAR, and Retroid Pocket. While exact release dates remain vague, we are only a few weeks away from the end of Q1.
