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Qualcomm Launches Eight Snapdragon S4 Chips

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New additions to the S4 family, six of which include cellular baseband features.

Qualcomm has added eight SKUs, with models including the MSM8660A, MSM8260A, MSM8630, MSM8230, MSM8627, MSM8227 (all with modems) as well as the APQ8060A and APQ8030.

All new chips are based on the 28 nm, dual-core Krait processor with a clock speed ranging from 1.0 to 1.7 GHz, as well as Adreno 225 or 305 graphics units.

Qualcomm did not say which commercial products will integrate these processors, but noted that devices with these chips could be surfacing in early 2012, which could mean that Snapdragon S4 smartphones/tablets should be at CES in January. The company also announced four additional new processors (MSM7225A, MSM7625A, MSM7227A, MSM7627A) in its S1 family, which, however, are based on an older ARMv11 core and ARMv6 architecture. The current Krait core is based on heavily modified ARMv7 architecture. Qualcomm claims that its chips are more efficient than ARM's Cortex-A9 design.

7 Comments Comment from the forums
  • stonedatheist 18 November 2011 05:10
    Seems like quad-core A15 chips are a sure thing in 2012, very exciting.

    By the time my contract runs out in 2013, there probably will be a few hex or octa-core chips. Though there won't be a lot of things that can utilize or need that many cores and the smart ones will be buying the higher clocked quads.
    Reply
  • JeTJL 18 November 2011 06:44
    Man and I thought Dual Core chips were awesome! Now I feel that I'm going to be left out on the cool stuff that will be released next year. Still though my Rooted HTC Sensation clocked @ 1.51ghz dual core is still the best you can get right now.

    Hopefully 28nm will bring power consumption down considerably. I barely make it through the school day with the stock rom and clock. That and Battery Technology should be a lot better later on.
    Reply
  • 18 November 2011 07:34
    @jetjl Not really the best you can get, i got GS2 on tmobile for $30 a month ^_^
    Reply
  • Kamab 18 November 2011 11:27
    Dunno about battery technology. Energy density hasn't been improving much recently. Going to see biggest improvements in chip efficiency.

    And in my opinion the biggest bottleneck in smartphones and tablets is your wireless bandwidth, whether through 3G, 4G, or wifi.
    Reply
  • tequilaguru 18 November 2011 20:23
    It's ARM11(ARMv6) not ARMv11(doesn't exist as of today)
    Reply
  • deadonthefloor 19 November 2011 04:34
    @Kamab
    Northwestern university researchers just outlined a new Li-ion process which will improve battery life tenfold while reducing charging time tenfold. Right in time for these bad boys to hit our pockets.
    Reply
  • schmich 19 November 2011 19:24
    Now if only Software could catch up...Most software even has trouble utilizing a single 1Ghz core.
    Reply