In a momentous announcement at the Snapdragon Summit 2023, Qualcomm has officially revealed the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, their latest flagship mobile chipset. Following the resounding success of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in terms of performance and efficiency, tech enthusiasts are eager to explore the enhancements brought by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Will it leverage the cutting-edge Nuvia-designed cores? To unveil the intricacies of this new mobile chipset, let’s delve into its specifications and the exciting array of features Qualcomm has introduced.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Packs a Powerful Hexagon NPU, CPU, and GPU
The focal point of Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is on-device AI. However, let’s begin with its architectural attributes. Fabricated using TSMC’s advanced 4nm process node, this chipset boasts an octa-core CPU configuration. Unlike the Nuvia cores found in the Snapdragon X Elite, the 8 Gen 3 sticks with Kryo cores.
The CPU in Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 comprises a single Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at an impressive 3.3GHz, 3x Cortex-A720 cores running at 3.2GHz, 2x Cortex-A720 cores slightly below at 3.0GHz, and finally, 2x Cortex-A520 cores ticking at 2.3GHz. Essentially, the core setup follows the pattern 1+(3+2)+2, with the Cortex-A720 cores operating at different clock frequencies. A notable 12MB L3 cache is included.
According to Qualcomm, the utilization of the latest ARM cores has led to a remarkable 30% performance boost compared to the previous year’s 8 Gen 2. In tandem with this, Qualcomm has ceased support for the 32-bit architecture. Transitioning to the GPU, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 employs the formidable Adreno GPU, which is 25% faster than the Adreno 740 featured in last year’s SD8Gen2.
Moreover, the new Adreno GPU maintains a 25% increase in power efficiency compared to the Adreno 740. It introduces support for 240FPS gaming, with the flexibility to go as low as 1Hz. While the 8 Gen 2 already possessed hardware-accelerated Ray Tracing support, Qualcomm has elevated the experience by collaborating with Unreal Engine to implement Lumen Global Illumination and reflections on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
The enhanced Adreno GPU also brings forth the Adreno Frame Motion Engine (AFME 2.0), capable of real-time frame rate adjustments from 60FPS to 120FPS during gaming, reminiscent of Apple A17 Pro’s MetalFX Upscaling technology.
Shifting focus to the new Hexagon NPU within Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, AI operations witness a staggering 98% increase in speed and a 40% boost in efficiency compared to the previous-generation NPU. It can execute LLM models on-device, generating an impressive 15 tokens per second. To achieve this, Qualcomm has forged a partnership with Meta, allowing the local execution of its LLama 2 model.
Qualcomm asserts that the SD 8Gen3 can efficiently handle LLMs trained on over 10 billion parameters, producing images in less than a second, a remarkable feat.
The Hexagon NPU extends its capabilities to process multimodal data from images, speech, and text. Additionally, the ISP on the SD8Gen3 now incorporates AI functionalities, enabling object removal from videos, image expansion, semantic segmentation up to 12 layers, and substantial enhancement of low-light videos, all executed locally.
For 5G connectivity, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 employs Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon X75 modem, further elevating its standing in the world of mobile chipsets.
In conclusion, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 emerges as a powerhouse, with significant gains in performance and AI capabilities. Its CPU, GPU, and Hexagon NPU combine to offer a comprehensive on-device AI experience, promising improved efficiency and exceptional processing power. The partnership with Unreal Engine and Meta signifies a commitment to providing a superior mobile experience. As the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 marks a new chapter in the world of mobile chipsets, it has set a high standard for its competitors to match.
