New Snapdragon SoC Boasts 64-Bit Processing, 4G LTE

Qualcomm today announced the Snapdragon 410 SoC, a new chipset geared for devices retailing at about $150 and below. The Snapdragon 410 will support 64-bit processing and 4G LTE “World Mode,” which the company boasts will function in all modes and frequency bands.

Apple this year debuted mobile 64-bit processing with the iPhone 5S and with the new Snapdragon 410, Android handsets will now also be able to leverage 64-bit architecture. Qualcomm’s new SoC boasts an Adreno 306 GPU, which can support up to a 13-megapixel camera, 1080p video and an assortment of familiar features like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and GPS.

“We are excited to bring 4G LTE to highly affordable smartphones at a sub $150 ( ̴ 1,000 RMB) price point with the introduction of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor,” said Jeff Lorbeck, senior vice president and chief operating officer, Qualcomm Technologies, China in a press statement. “The Snapdragon 410 chipset will also be the first of many 64-bit capable processors as Qualcomm Technologies helps lead the transition of the mobile ecosystem to 64-bit processing.”

As Android Central points out, while it’s certainly encouraging to see 64-bit architecture and 4G LTE in a midrange SoC, it will be up to device manufacturers to take advantage of the technology and utilize it to its full potential.

For Qualcomm, the Snapdragon 410 is very much about making further inroads in China, where the consumer market for mobile devices is enormous and telecoms are increasingly moving to adopt 4G LTE.  

“The delivery of faster connections is important to the growth and adoption of smartphones in emerging regions, and Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets are poised to address the needs of consumers as 4G LTE begins to ramp in China.”

Qualcomm says the Snapdragon 410 will begin sampling in the first half of 2014 and will begin appearing in devices by the second half.