Qualcomm has officially announced the release of its latest processor, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3. This new chip, designed for mid-range smartphones, follows the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 released in March and brings several notable enhancements.
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 focuses on three critical areas — increased power, better energy efficiency, and a stronger commitment to artificial intelligence. This strategy seems to be in line with the higher-end Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, although the 7 Gen 3 does not quite match its level of power and sophistication.
One of the key features of the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 is its improved Neural Processing Unit (NPU) Hexagon. Qualcomm reports that this NPU has achieved a 60% increase in AI performance per watt compared to the previous generation, marking a significant step forward in AI processing efficiency.
The new chip also boasts a substantial upgrade in its GPU Adreno, which is now up to 50% faster. This improvement is particularly beneficial for gaming, as it supports high-frame-rate gaming of up to 144 FPS on compatible screens, enhancing the gaming experience on mid-range devices.
In terms of CPU performance, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 shows a 15% increase in power over its predecessor. While this may not represent a dramatic improvement, it is a noteworthy enhancement that contributes to the overall performance and efficiency of the chip.
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 also introduces AI-driven features for camera applications, such as AI Remosaic and AI Denoiser. It continues to use the Spectra Triple image processor, now with support for 4K HDR video capture, further enhancing its multimedia capabilities.
Connectivity is another strong suit of the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3. It offers support for WiFi 6E through the FastConnect 6700 system and enables 5G connectivity with speeds of up to 5 Gbps using the Snapdragon X63 modem. The chip is also compatible with spatial audio and Low Energy (LE) Audio, thanks to Snapdragon Sound.
Qualcomm has announced that the first devices equipped with the new chip will be launched this month. HONOR and vivo are among the first manufacturers to adopt this chip, with more expected to join in the coming weeks and months.
