Qualcomm has unveiled its next generation Snapdragon G Series for handheld gaming devices as the successor to last year’s devices at the Game Developers Conference.
This portfolio is designed to power handheld gaming devices, targeting a diverse range of players. The new platforms include the Snapdragon G3 Gen 3, Snapdragon G2 Gen 2, and Snapdragon G1 Gen 2, each tailored to deliver specific levels of portable gaming performance.
The Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 is presented as the flagship platform within this series. It is the first Snapdragon G Series platform to incorporate support for Lumen, Unreal Engine 5’s dynamic global illumination and reflections system, on Android handheld devices.
Performance enhancements over the previous generation include a reported 30% increase in CPU performance and a 28% improvement in graphics capabilities. Power optimization and energy efficiency are also cited as key features. The platform supports Wi-Fi 7, aimed at reducing latency and increasing bandwidth for wireless connectivity.
The Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 is positioned as a platform for gaming and cloud gaming at 144 frames per second on dedicated gaming devices. It is designed to offer a balance between performance and efficiency, with Qualcomm stating a 2.3x performance increase and a 3.8x improvement in GPU capabilities compared to the Snapdragon G2 Gen 1. This platform also includes support for Wi-Fi 7.
The Snapdragon G1 Gen 2 is designed to provide performance for cloud gaming on dedicated handheld Android devices. It targets a broader audience with the capability to deliver up to 1080p resolution at 120 frames per second over Wi-Fi. The platform is reported to offer an 80% increase in CPU performance and a 25% improvement in GPU performance for cloud-based gameplay.
Availability
OEMs including AYANEO, ONEXSUGAR and Retroid Pocket will begin releasing devices powered by the newest Snapdragon G Series product line starting Q1, 2025.