Qualcomm call the 8-core 64-bit Snapdragon 615, “mid-range”

MWC 2014: Updated – Same with the new 4-core 64-bit Snapdragon 610

Feb 24, 2014 by

Qualcomm Snapdragon logoQualcomm today is announcing two new mid-range SoCs, the 64-bit Snapdragon 610 and 615. Although they come in 4-core and 8-core versions, both are solidly mid-range devices.

Although it may a bit odd to call an 8-core ARM V8 with an Adreno 400-series GPU mid-range, compared to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 805 they are just that. More importantly these two devices integrate LTE in Cat 4 form, not the fastest in the world but they should nail the heart of the volume LTE segment in several key markets. The 610 and 615 have all the key checkboxes ticked and do so with real hardware, not just fluff.

Technical details were light but the cores appear to be borrowed from the Snapdragon 805 which would make it a Krait 450 in marketingspeak. Similarly the GPU is an Adreno 405, a cut down version of the 420 from the Snapdragon 800. This part has full OpenGL ES3.0, OpenCL, and DirectX 11.2 support, plus it can push a display up to 2560*1600. Better yet there is a hardware H.265 decoder in there as well so new formats will not punish batteries.

Update Feb 24, 3:20pm – It is not a Krait 450 in the Snapdragon 610/615, it is an ARM A53.

On the radio side, in addition to being Cat 4, the 610/615 also supports LTE-Broadcast, Dual SIM Active, and a host of new specs as well. On the non-cell side, both parts support 802.11AC, Bluetooth 4.1, and of course all the wireless video features from past generations that are now a bit faster with AC.

The Snapdragon 610 and 615 may be a little less than the 805, but they are pretty amazing for a mid-range device. These two SoCs will redefine what the mainstream market and its huge volume of buyers should expect when it samples in Q3 and devices ship in Q4. Other than a few MHz and the odd GPU shader that is missing, as long as you don’t need Cat 5/6 LTE there is precious little a device bearing either of these parts shouldn’t do. It kind of makes you wonder what the low-end will be like late this year.S|A

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Charlie Demerjian

Roving engine of chaos and snide remarks at SemiAccurate
Charlie Demerjian is the founder of Stone Arch Networking Services and SemiAccurate.com. SemiAccurate.com is a technology news site; addressing hardware design, software selection, customization, securing and maintenance, with over one million views per month. He is a technologist and analyst specializing in semiconductors, system and network architecture. As head writer of SemiAccurate.com, he regularly advises writers, analysts, and industry executives on technical matters and long lead industry trends. Charlie is also available through Guidepoint and Mosaic. FullyAccurate