Qualcomm announces new Gen AI for devices

Chipmaker Qualcomm, on Wednesday, introduced the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, in a bid to advance in on-device generative AI for Android phones. This chip, built on a 4 nm process, features a unique CPU core configuration. 
 
The primary ARM Cortex X4 runs at 3.3 GHz and is accompanied by five Performance cores at 3.2 GHz and two Efficiency cores at 2.3 GHz. This configuration not only delivers a 30% speed boost but also a 20% increase in power efficiency. Gamers will appreciate the 25% improvement in performance and efficiency, as well as the 1.5-fold advancement in ray tracing capabilities. 
 
The Qualcomm Hexagon Neural Processing unit is already designed to run neural networks on Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. Compared to its predecessor, this component offers a significant 98% speed increase and a 40% efficiency improvement. Alongside the Kryo CPU and Adreno GPU, the Hexagon NPU forms Qualcomm's AI Engine, with a specific emphasis on on-device generative AI applications, the company said. One interesting feature is the chip's ability to run large language models locally, showcasing its versatility in managing diverse AI applications. 
 
The multimedia capabilities of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 are equally impressive. It supports large language models and language vision models, making it Qualcomm's first AI Engine to adopt multi-modal generative AI models. The chip also introduces new camera features, such as Video Object Eraser and AI-powered Night Vision video. Semantic segmentation, which supports up to 12 layers, enhances visuals of faces, hair, clothes, and the sky, and can be used simultaneously on both front and rear cameras. Additionally, the chip incorporates Dolby HDR photo capture, providing over 1 billion shades of colour, a significant improvement over the 16.7 million possible with JPEG. 
 
The implementation of these features is in the hands of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and software developers. Brands like Asus, Honor, and Xiaomi are preparing to release Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 devices in the near future, offering an opportunity to explore the full potential of this technological advancement. 
 
In conjunction with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 launch, Qualcomm introduced "Snapdragon Seamless" as a cross-platform technology, aiming to create seamless experiences across Android, Windows, and other Snapdragon devices. This technology enables devices to discover each other and share information effortlessly, potentially fostering integration across different types of devices. Examples include mice and keyboards seamlessly working across PCs, phones, and tablets, as well as files and windows being dragged and dropped across various devices.