Welp, I didn't see that coming so soon.
See, just recently, I did an analysis of the smartphone market this year. Given how impressive the flagship chips from various manufacturers were last year, I concluded:
If you're looking for a phone that'll last you years, buy it now.
I put my money where my mouth is and got myself a Xiaomi 14 Ultra the day after writing that article.
Well, before I could even break in my new phone, Qualcomm dropped another chip on us this week, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, just five months after the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 launch.
After checking out the specs, I've gotta say, I should've waited a bit longer before buying a new phone.
Well, the reason why I say this is because both the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 from last year and the newly released Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 are top-of-the-line. Phones equipped with these chips have the potential to become the next generation of "nail houses" [a term used to describe a building that stubbornly resists demolition or redevelopment].
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is one of the most powerful chips in the Android camp.
As for the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, it's the first time Qualcomm has released a Snapdragon 8 series chip with the suffix "s".
Many people might be wondering where it stands in the Snapdragon chip lineup, how it compares to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in terms of performance, and whether it's an upgrade.
Well, this chip is quite unique, as Qualcomm designed it based on the "I want it all" principle, giving it a combination of features that cater to various needs.
As a new-generation flagship, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is like a chip tailored just for us, offering everything we could ask for in a mobile processor.
First off, let's talk about performance. It's the bread and butter of a smartphone, and it's what's gonna make or break it as a long-term investment.
The Snapdragon 8s Gen3 rocks the same CPU architecture as the Snapdragon 8 Gen3, with a 1+4+3 core configuration. Same cores—the latest Cortex-X4, A720, and A520 from ARM—just running at different speeds.
This puts its performance and energy efficiency on par with the Snapdragon 8 Gen3, making it worthy of its 8-series flagship status.
But let's be honest, there are a number of powerful chips on the market. One more Snapdragon 8s Gen3 doesn't make a huge difference, and one less wouldn't be a big loss. But wait, there's more! Qualcomm has added some extra spice to this chip by enabling hardware-accelerated real-time ray tracing.
Absolutely, the literal ray tracing can present more realistic shadows, light reflections, and lighting effects. Combined with the Adreno Image Motion Engine 2.0, which can handle games from the chip level and boost them to 8K 120fps at most, game enthusiasts will be ecstatic!
Of course, in addition to performance, imaging is also a key area of focus for manufacturers. Since the era of computational photography began for mobile imaging, the computing power requirements for image signal processors (ISPs) have become increasingly high. Therefore, we can see that some manufacturers have begun to develop their own image chips or image architectures.
What are our expectations for mobile imaging?
Undoubtedly, we want the best of both worlds: excellent photography and videography capabilities, as well as enhanced night and portrait modes. Even those who rarely take photos and primarily use their smartphones for QR code scanning would appreciate faster scan speeds.
Qualcomm has gone all-out in this area! The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, like its predecessor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, boasts a cognitive 18-bit triple ISP capable of processing billions of pixels per second. Compared to traditional 14-bit ISPs, the 18-bit ISP captures over four thousand times more image data, resulting in exceptional dynamic range and color reproduction.
This is dope! With its 18-bit triple ISP, the phone can capture 200MP photos, record 8K 30fps HDR videos, and 4K 120fps high-def slow-motion clips, and it supports simultaneous recording with all three lenses for awesome multi-angle shots and smooth zoom transitions.
For those who aren't that fussed about a phone's camera capabilities, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 also features the always-on camera, which enables fast face unlocking, mobile payments, and quicker QR code scanning.
Plus, as you've likely noticed, over the past few months, nearly every phone maker has started ramping up their AI efforts and developing their own AI large models, with some already implementing hundreds of AI features into their phones. This year is shaping up to be the first year of the AI-powered smartphone.
Personally, I'm a big fan of Xiaomi's "AIGC Intelligent Image Expansion" feature on the 14 series. It can expand and automatically compose photos with poor framing. The results are unpredictable, so using this feature is like opening a mystery box every time.
AIGC, or AI-generated content, involves using artificial intelligence to create content. This content can include text, images, and more. Some AIGC applications run locally on devices (like smartphones), while others are processed in the cloud. Local AIGC processing places high demands on a device's computing capabilities.
Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen3, released last year, allows smartphones to run large models with up to 10 billion parameters locally.
The collective push for AI by Android OEMs in late 2022, resulting in significant advancements in a short span, can be largely attributed to the behind-the-scenes efforts of upstream chipmakers like Qualcomm.
However, most of the AI features introduced by OEMs have been exclusive to flagship devices, with even last year's flagships getting only a subset of these capabilities. This is due to the limitations of the underlying chipsets. Now, we finally have more options.
The Snapdragon 8s Gen3 inherits the Snapdragon 8 Gen3's AI prowess, supporting large models with up to 100 billion parameters. This means that devices powered by this chip will also get the latest and greatest AI features. I anticipate a new wave of AI smartphones hitting the market.
For young consumers, the Snapdragon 8s Gen3 can be their first AI smartphone.
Colloquial:
So, I can't help but notice something that's oddly common these days. When it comes to buying phones, we tend to take for granted certain fundamental aspects like their 5G and Wi-Fi capabilities. Little do we know that these foundational features can actually have a major impact on our day-to-day usage experience.
For instance, those pesky situations where our phones drop calls or struggle with Wi-Fi might not be due to the network itself. It could very well be the phone or even the chip inside it.
Well, when it comes to connectivity, Qualcomm has always been a force to be reckoned with. And I guess they realized that if they slacked off in this area, they'd be shooting themselves in the foot. So even though we may not pay much attention to it, they've gone all out with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
This chip features the Snapdragon X70 modem and RF system, which we often refer to as the "baseband." Now, what does this baby do? It gives your phone insane 5G download and upload speeds—up to 10Gbps and 3.5Gbps, respectively. Theoretically, it supports all commercial 5G bands. Plus, it's armed with an AI processor that optimizes your 5G connection, reducing latency and keeping your network steady.
This feature allows the phone to connect to two high-band Wi-Fi networks simultaneously, boosting speeds and reducing interference from other devices. However, to get the most out of this feature, you'll need a router with a Qualcomm chip, such as the Xiaomi BE7000, which retails for 799 CNY.
In terms of Bluetooth connectivity, the Snapdragon 8s Gen3 comes equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon Sound technology suite, which enables head-tracked spatial audio, ultra-clear audio and video calls, and 16-bit 44.1kHz CD-quality lossless Bluetooth connectivity.
With exclusive speaker amplification technology, it can even reduce distortion, achieving stereo sound effects beyond your mobile phone.
Yo, music-focused smartphones might be making a comeback? Sounds like the Xiaomi 10s, the so-called "ultimate music phone," might have some serious competition on the horizon.
Qualcomm Snapdragon Seamless cross-platform technology empowers seamless connectivity among multiple devices across various operating systems. It enables phones to seamlessly interact with PCs, tablets, smartwatches, and possibly even future AR glasses and automobiles.
Analyzing the broader context, Qualcomm's release of the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 showcases its versatility. Qualcomm has equipped it with practical performance, imaging, and AI capabilities that deliver tangible benefits. The company's commitment to providing meaningful functionality is evident in this latest offering.
"Of course, the price of the phone with this chip is up to each individual manufacturer. But I'll say this:
In the future, phones with Snapdragon 8s Gen3 will definitely be well-rounded, and they may even surprise us in some ways.
Don't be skeptical. According to the leaks, the first model to feature this chip will be the mid-range Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro. It has the main camera from the Shadow Hunter 800, Leica co-branding, a deep micro-curved screen, a metal frame, a telephoto lens, a large battery, and fast charging. I'm already drooling just thinking about it."
Okay, so it's not just Xiaomi, other OEMS like iQOO, Honor, and Realme have got new devices in the pipeline.
This isn't the first time Qualcomm has segmented its product line. Last year, they split the Snapdragon 7 series into three tiers: a "small cup" for balanced power efficiency, a "medium cup" for an enhanced experience, and a "large cup" for top-notch performance. As a result, we've seen a wider variety of Android phones across different price ranges.
So, whether you're a photography enthusiast, a gamer, or on a budget, you can find a phone that fits your needs.
Combining steady and strong dual-engine performance, the experience of Android phones might be on the cusp of another major leap forward.
