Qualcomm is launching its next 5G chipset today, the Snapdragon 690, the first product in its 6-series chips to get support for the next-generation networking standard — although it’ll only support the slower sub-6GHz versions of 5G, not the faster mmWave standard.
According to Qualcomm, the Snapdragon 690 is “designed to make 5G user experiences even more broadly available around the world.” The 6-series slots right in the middle of Qualcomm’s lineup with the 2 and 4 underneath, while 7 and 8 is above.
The company says 6-series support for the next-generation network “has the potential to make 5G accessible to more than 2 billion smartphone users around the world.”
There is an octa-core Kyro 560 CPU (up to 2.0GHz) based on an 8nm process and an Adreno 619L GPU that allows for FHD+ at 120Hz. The former is touted as providing a 20% performance improvement compared to its predecessor, while graphics rendering is said to be 60% faster. It’s the first 6-series chip to support high-refresh displays, while there’s also Wi-Fi 6.
Artificial intelligence-backed features will benefit from a 70% performance increase due to Qualcomm’s 5th generation AI Engine. For example, the Hexagon Tensor allows for camera filters with high FPS and no delays.
Qualcomm announced that the Snapdragon 690 will be featured in smartphones from HMD Global, LG Electronics, Motorola, SHARP, TCL, and Wingtech. Nokia says that future 5G devices will come in at an “even more affordable price.” Meanwhile, TCL notes how its “very excited to support the launch of Snapdragon 690 Mobile Platform” after previously using the 7-series.
The first Snapdragon 690 devices will be commercially available in the second half of 2020.
