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Qualcomm's Snapdragon 855 will bring AI and 5G to the flagship phones of 2019

David Nield December 5, 2018

Every year Qualcomm launches a premium mobile processor that usually finds its way into the top Android phones of the next 12 months, and it's just unveiled the Snapdragon 855 system-on-a-chip (SoC) for 2019. Its headline features are 5G connectivity and yet more AI performance boosts.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 includes improved AI and 5G support

Mobile Technology

The Snapdragon 845 is ready to power AR and AI on your 2018 smartphone

David Nield December 6, 2017

The Snapdragon 835 dominated flagship Android phones in 2017, appearing in the likes of the Google Pixel 2, the Samsung Galaxy S8+, the HTC U11, and others. Now Qualcomm has unveiled its successor, the Snapdragon 845 system-on-a-chip (SoC), ready to help your smartphone do even more in 2018.

Qualcomm's premium chip for 2018 is here

Mobile Technology

Qualcomm enables under display fingerprint scanning for smartphones

David Nield June 28, 2017

Chip giant Qualcomm has announced new fingerprint scanning and authentication technology at Mobile World Congress in Shanghai, technology that should make it easier for manufacturers to embed fingerprint scanners under the display of any smartphone.

Qualcomm's new range of sensors means fingerprint scanning can now be embedded in phone displays.

Automotive

Electric road powers Renault EVs

Ben Coxworth May 18, 2017

Renault, Qualcomm Technologies and sustainable transportation company Vedecom recently demonstrated a dynamic wireless electric vehicle charging (DEVC) system – it lets electric cars draw power from the road, as they're in motion.

A specially-outfitted Renault Kangoo ZE travels along the test track

Mobile Technology

Qualcomm's latest mid-range smartphone processors take a cue from the top shelf

Emily Ferron May 9, 2017

Several benefits previously exclusive to Qualcomm's high-end 800 series processors are coming to the mid-ranged 600 series. If smartphone makers push these chips to their full capabilities, budget phones could have much more to offer.

Qualcomm's new 600 series mid-range mobile chips look to be a boon to budget smartphones

Mobile Technology

Mobile 101: A quick explanation of quick charging

Emily Ferron February 23, 2017

As we gear up for this year’s smartphone flagships, we expect “quick charging”, alternatively known as fast or turbo charging, to be an increasingly common feature. But what exactly is quick charging? Is it worth going out of your way to make sure your next smartphone has it?

How does fast charging work on a smartphone, and is it worth it?

VR

Qualcomm makes VR push to assist developers, manufacturers

Emily Ferron February 23, 2017

Ahead of Mobile World Congress in Barcelona and the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco – which both begin at the end of this week – Qualcomm has announced plans to help software developers and hardware manufacturers utilize its products to power cutting-edge VR experiences.

Qualcomm's Keith Kressin and Samsung's Ben Suh with the Snapdragon 835 chip

Mobile Technology

Qualcomm unveils the Snapdragon 835 and Quick Charge 4.0 for the Android flagships of 2017

David Nield November 17, 2016

Those of you who pore over smartphone specs will recognize Qualcomm as the major player in mobile processors and charging standards, and the US company has just announced its latest technologies ready for the flagships of 2017.

Qualcomm's Keith Kressin and Samsung's Ben Suh show off the 10-nanometer Snapdragon 835 in New York

Drones

AT&T plans to make drones more reliable by hooking them up to cell networks

Nick Lavars September 6, 2016

More robust connections would certainly help nudge things along and usher in applications like drone deliveries, and AT&T believes it has a role to play. The company will soon kick off trials designed to test how drones perform on its commercial 4G LTE and future networks such as 5G.

The drones will be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon Flight platform

Wearables

Qualcomm tightens focus with new SnapDragon Wear 1100 processor

Michael Irving May 30, 2016

In February, Qualcomm ushered in its SnapDragon Wear line with the 2100 SoC designed as the brain for multi-purpose wearable devices such as smartwatches. At Computex 2016 the company has extended the line with the SnapDragon Wear 1100 intended for smaller, targeted-purpose wearables.