Qualcomm brings Wi-Fi 7 and XPAN to mid-range smartphones
Chip manufacturer Qualcomm has launched its new Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 system-on-a-chip (SoC), bringing premium features to mid-range smartphones. The new chip includes support for Wi-Fi 7 and XPAN audio technology.
Qualcomm has introduced its new Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 system-on-a-chip (SoC), aiming to equip mid-range smartphones with advanced features. The semiconductor developer announced that the first smartphones featuring this chip will be available starting this month, with Honor and Vivo among the initial partners.
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 offers substantial performance improvements over its predecessor. Qualcomm claims approximately 27 percent more CPU performance, 30 percent enhanced GPU capabilities, and a 65 percent boost in AI processing power via the NPU.
The SoC is manufactured using a 4nm process and features a configuration of one prime core at 2.8 GHz, four performance cores at 2.4 GHz, and three efficiency cores clocked at 1.8 GHz. Media reports suggest the use of ARM's Cortex-A720, Cortex-A720, and Cortex-A520 cores.
Key connectivity upgrades include support for XPAN (Expanded Personal Area Network Technology), Qualcomm's audio transmission technology over Wi-Fi. This marks the first integration of XPAN outside the high-end Snapdragon 8 series, promising superior audio quality and extended range compared to Bluetooth. Additionally, the chip supports the new Bluetooth 6.0 standard and Wi-Fi 7, features previously found predominantly in premium models.