• Qualcomm Announces 64-Bit Snapdragon ARM Chip to Compete with Apple's A7 Chip

    by
    Akshay Masand
    Published on 2013-12-11 05:28 AM
    15 Comments Comments


    During the iPhone 5S unveiling, one of the many things Apple boasted about was their device touting the world’s first 64-bit smartphone chip. At the time, Qualcomm representative Anand Chandrasekher called a 64-bit ARM chip a “gimmick.” Ironically but unsurprisingly, three months later, Qualcomm seems to be announcing one as well – the Snapdragon 410, opening the door for 64-bit Android devices.

    According to Qualcomm, the new Snapdragon 410 will be manufactured using a 28nm process and feature “superior graphics performance with the Adreno 306 GPU, 1080P video playback and up to a 13 megapixel camera.” Furthermore, the process should run on every LTE network currently available while touting Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, FM and even NFC.

    It is quite funny that Qualcomm is announcing a 64-bit ARM chip of its own to compete with Apple’s A7 after the remarks that were made earlier. It should be noted that not only did Qualcomm public reprimand him for his stupid and “inaccurate” comments but they ended up firing him as well. This isn’t much of a surprise considering his comment on the processor being “gimmicky” was making fun of the same direction Qualcomm was heading in as well.

    Qualcomm isn’t the only company following Apple’s lead into the 64-bit mobile chips, Samsung also mentioned to be planning a 64-bit Galaxy-class device for next year.

    Source: Qualcomm (Press Release)
    This article was originally published in forum thread: Qualcomm Announces 64-Bit Snapdragon ARM Chip to Compete with Apple's A7 Chip started by Akshay Masand View original post
    1. Categories:
    2. iPhone,
    3. Apple,
    4. iPad
    Comments 15 Comments
    1. theDEVIN's Avatar
      theDEVIN - 2013-12-11, 06:01 AM
      He called it a gimmick because the iPhone has only a gig of RAM, and it takes 3 gigs to be able to overcome the weight of a 64 bit processor, and for there to be any improvement. Not only that, but the entire phone runs in 32bit compatibility mode, making it only hurt the phone's performance. Seeing as to how the Note 3 is the only main flagship phone with 3 gigs of ram, and the S5 and the Note 4 have already been confirmed to have 4 gigs of RAM and a 64 bit processor, I don't see how this is apple leading the way.

      That being said, don't expect this to be the chip found in those devices, seeing as to how the specs it supports are less than everything they've said they have planned for them.
    1. Zero Cool's Avatar
      Zero Cool - 2013-12-11, 06:03 AM
      I seem to be confused. Processors are the brain of computers, cell phones in this case. How is it the processor will feature video playback and a camera? Do they just mean that it's capabilities stop at those specified points? If so, wouldn't that make it inferior to that phone with the 41 megapixel camera? Obviously that phone can process an order of magnitude more in megapixels than a measly 13.
    1. Zokunei's Avatar
      Zokunei - 2013-12-11, 06:05 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by theDEVIN View Post
      the entire phone runs in 32bit compatibility mode, making it only hurt the phone's performance.
      I don't know where you're getting that from. The whole OS is 64-bit and almost all up-to-date applications are as well. Running code compiled for the iPhone's 64-bit processor has been proven to increase performance.
    1. dsg's Avatar
      dsg - 2013-12-11, 06:19 AM
      Android, fails in so many ways for me and a 64bit processor is not going to fix it
    1. politicalslug's Avatar
      politicalslug - 2013-12-11, 06:41 AM
      There seem to be a lot of negative misconceptions about what 64bit brings to the table. The strange thing here is that this is a tech website and it seems like stagnation is what many here are arguing.
    1. morbidpete's Avatar
      morbidpete - 2013-12-11, 06:51 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by politicalslug View Post
      There seem to be a lot of negative misconceptions about what 64bit brings to the table. The strange thing here is that this is a tech website and it seems like stagnation is what many here are arguing.
      Yup, the first post is also wrong on every point. But laying in bed and to busy to break it down.

      I'm an iPhone guy, but use an android tab in my car dash. I welcome the speed and battery saving offered by the x64 android. I have also noticed a huge improvement in speed and battery life in my 5s vs the 5. Older apps did crash a lot to be honest. But updates have fixed a ton
    1. slim.jim's Avatar
      slim.jim - 2013-12-11, 07:17 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by theDEVIN View Post
      He called it a gimmick because the iPhone has only a gig of RAM, and it takes 3 gigs to be able to overcome the weight of a 64 bit processor, and for there to be any improvement. Not only that, but the entire phone runs in 32bit compatibility mode, making it only hurt the phone's performance. Seeing as to how the Note 3 is the only main flagship phone with 3 gigs of ram, and the S5 and the Note 4 have already been confirmed to have 4 gigs of RAM and a 64 bit processor, I don't see how this is apple leading the way.

      That being said, don't expect this to be the chip found in those devices, seeing as to how the specs it supports are less than everything they've said they have planned for them.
      Everything you said is wrong and everything you think is confirmed is rumor.

      Please elaborate what you mean by "weight of the 64bit processor"...
    1. theDEVIN's Avatar
      theDEVIN - 2013-12-11, 08:30 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by Zero Cool View Post
      I seem to be confused. Processors are the brain of computers, cell phones in this case. How is it the processor will feature video playback and a camera? Do they just mean that it's capabilities stop at those specified points? If so, wouldn't that make it inferior to that phone with the 41 megapixel camera? Obviously that phone can process an order of magnitude more in megapixels than a measly 13.
      The processor has to process all these things. The display, the camera, those are all just sensors and parts. The processor makes them do what they're supposed to. That's why, for example, the US Note 3, with the snapdragon 800, can film in 4k, but the international version, with the exynos octa chip, can only do 1080p, even though they have the same camera.
    1. *T*'s Avatar
      *T* - 2013-12-11, 11:34 AM
      Message deleted
    1. fleurya's Avatar
      fleurya - 2013-12-11, 12:01 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by theDEVIN View Post
      He called it a gimmick because the iPhone has only a gig of RAM, and it takes 3 gigs to be able to overcome the weight of a 64 bit processor, and for there to be any improvement. Not only that, but the entire phone runs in 32bit compatibility mode, making it only hurt the phone's performance. Seeing as to how the Note 3 is the only main flagship phone with 3 gigs of ram, and the S5 and the Note 4 have already been confirmed to have 4 gigs of RAM and a 64 bit processor, I don't see how this is apple leading the way.
      Worst. Troll. Ever.
    1. BhadKarma's Avatar
      BhadKarma - 2013-12-11, 02:54 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by theDEVIN View Post
      He called it a gimmick because the iPhone has only a gig of RAM, and it takes 3 gigs to be able to overcome the weight of a 64 bit processor, and for there to be any improvement. Not only that, but the entire phone runs in 32bit compatibility mode, making it only hurt the phone's performance. Seeing as to how the Note 3 is the only main flagship phone with 3 gigs of ram, and the S5 and the Note 4 have already been confirmed to have 4 gigs of RAM and a 64 bit processor, I don't see how this is apple leading the way.

      That being said, don't expect this to be the chip found in those devices, seeing as to how the specs it supports are less than everything they've said they have planned for them.
      You have no idea by the sounds if it.... Bow your head in shame and research a little further before you try to show intelligence.
    1. bigboyz's Avatar
      bigboyz - 2013-12-11, 06:27 PM
      Just admit it. Apple led the way for 64bit technology for smart phones period. Now, moving forward it will be the standard within 5 years. Why? Apple leads the market nuff said. If you don't jump on what they do, you will be lost in the shuffle.
    1. DieselVexx's Avatar
      DieselVexx - 2013-12-11, 08:49 PM
      Devin may have a point. I remember the Nintendo 64 being so ahead of it's time with a 64 bit processor that it was behind. Mayoto said at the time we will never see games utilize the systems full capabilities in this consoles life cycle. He was right. I know there was more to it but I watched this kick butt system die a slow and painful death. Now about a decade or so later we are finally getting back to AMD 64 bit architecture with the new gaming consoles and smart phones but I'm still hesitant to jump on the band wagon until I see something like Mario 64 jump off from Apple.
    1. Scotty Manley Silberhorn's Avatar
      Scotty Manley Silberhorn - 2013-12-11, 10:50 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by DieselVexx View Post
      Devin may have a point. I remember the Nintendo 64 being so ahead of it's time with a 64 bit processor that it was behind. Mayoto said at the time we will never see games utilize the systems full capabilities in this consoles life cycle. He was right. I know there was more to it but I watched this kick butt system die a slow and painful death. Now about a decade or so later we are finally getting back to AMD 64 bit architecture with the new gaming consoles and smart phones but I'm still hesitant to jump on the band wagon until I see something like Mario 64 jump off from Apple.
      N64 for life!
    1. slim.jim's Avatar
      slim.jim - 2013-12-12, 12:17 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by Scotty Manley Silberhorn View Post
      N64 for life!
      Still have mine hooked up in my office

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