Qualcomm Unveils Snapdragon G Series Chips for Handheld and Mobile Gaming

Qualcomm has introduced the next iteration of its Snapdragon G3x chip, which currently powers the Razer Edge. This release also includes two additional platforms that mark the debut of Qualcomm’s new line of Snapdragon gaming chips. The Snapdragon G3x Gen 2, positioned as the flagship tier, is specifically designed to cater to enthusiasts with its exceptional features and performance. It is capable of effortlessly handling the most challenging cross-platform gaming titles.

The company said the G3x Gen 2’s CPU performance is 30 percent faster than its predecessor, while its GPU performance is twice as fast. It is capable of powering a portable device with cross-platform gaming capabilities, as well as devices used for Android, PC, cloud and remote console gaming. The chip is also powerful enough to support ray tracing and allow the user to stream while gaming. To ensure smooth cloud and remote gaming sessions, the chip has WiFi 7 and 5G mmWave connections.

Qualcomm created the Snapdragon G1 Gen 1 platform for less intensive gaming on devices with lower specifications. It is intended for cloud gaming and remote console and PC gaming without a fan on dedicated handhelds. The chip supports images up to 1080p resolution at 60 FPS and uses WiFi 5.

Finally, the chipmaker has released the Snapdragon G2 Gen 1 platform, which acts as a middle ground between the two lines. It is also intended for use on fanless gaming devices, but especially for those with higher specifications to enable full-fledged mobile and cloud gaming. The chip can power handheld devices used for cloud and remote console gaming via WiFi 6/6E and 5G mmWave, but also devices used to play Android and PC games.

In the hope that high-end gaming devices powered by its new chip will hit the market as soon as possible, the company has given select manufacturers access to the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 Handheld Gaming Reference Design. It didn’t reveal company names, but promised that customer-specific product announcements will follow, which sounds like we’ll be seeing more travel-friendly gaming devices like the Edge in the near future.

Mithun Chandrasekhar, senior director of product management at Qualcomm, said: “Own handheld gaming devices are the best way to experience mobile games. But gamers want to be able to play all their favorite games across devices and ecosystems, whether it’s console, PC, or cloud. The next-generation Snapdragon G Series powered devices are the best place for gamers to play their favorite games, giving them the choice of cloud, console, Android or PC on the go.”