Snapdragon is stepping up its game in the portable gaming space. Hot on the heels of releasing game drivers for the Snapdragon X Elite laptops, Qualcomm has introduced three new chips designed for handheld gaming consoles: the Snapdragon G3 Gen 3, Snapdragon G2 Gen 2, and Snapdragon G1 Gen 2. These chips promise exciting improvements, and Qualcomm has already confirmed a few upcoming devices that will include them.
Meet the New Snapdragon G Series Chips
In a recent announcement on Qualcomm’s website, the company highlighted the capabilities of the new Snapdragon G Series lineup.
Snapdragon G3 Gen 3: The Powerhouse
The Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 is the most powerful chip in the lineup, bringing features never seen before in the Snapdragon G Series. For the first time, this platform supports Unreal Engine 5’s Lumen, a fully dynamic global illumination and reflections system, specifically for Android handheld gaming devices.
Here’s what makes the Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 stand out:
- Performance Boosts: 30% faster CPU and 28% faster GPU compared to the previous generation.
- Better Efficiency: Improved power optimizations for longer gaming sessions.
- Wi-Fi 7 Support: Reduced latency and increased bandwidth for smoother online gaming.
Devices set to launch with this chip include the Ayaneo Pocket S2, Ayaneo Gaming Pad, and OneXPlayer OneXSugar, as noted in Tom’s Hardware.
Snapdragon G2 Gen 2: Performance for Cloud and Native Gaming
The Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 is designed for gamers who value speed and resolution. It supports gaming and cloud gaming at 144FPS, offering:
- Performance Gains: 2.3x faster CPU and 3.8x faster GPU compared to its predecessor.
While no devices have been officially confirmed yet, there’s speculation that the Retroid Pocket 6 could be among the first to use this chip.
Snapdragon G1 Gen 2: Entry-Level Cloud Gaming
The Snapdragon G1 Gen 2 focuses on cloud gaming at 1080p and 120FPS. Though it’s the least powerful of the three, it still boasts:
- Improved Performance: 80% faster CPU and 25% faster GPU than the previous generation.
This chip is a great fit for devices like the Retroid Pocket Classic, which is perfect for playing retro games that don’t require high processing power.
What This Means for Portable Gaming
Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon G Series chips represent a big leap forward for handheld gaming devices. From high-end consoles using the Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 to entry-level cloud gaming with the G1 Gen 2, there’s something here for every kind of gamer.
With these chips, portable gaming is about to get faster, smoother, and more immersive than ever before. Keep an eye out for these devices as they hit the market soon!
