Qualcomm

Having 5G networks naturally isn't enough to get 5G adopted by the masses. More than just high-end premium phones, there is an even bigger need to cater to the mid-range market that comprises a large chunk of smartphone users around the world. That is one segment where Qualcomm may have slipped behind its biggest rival, MediaTek, but it won't be taking things sitting down, of course. Qualcomm has just announced three new 5G chipsets and one 4G processor that might power the next batch of smartphones later this year.

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Google's ousting of Qualcomm from its Pixel 6 smartphones doesn't just cover the main chipset, with news that the new Google Tensor SoC is paired with an unexpected modem supplier, too. Having relied on Qualcomm's Snapdragon series of mobile chipsets for previous generations of Pixel phone - and the Nexus range before that - Google opted to develop its own chip for 2021's handsets instead.

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With Google jumping on the mobile chipset bandwagon and OPPO reportedly following closely, Qualcomm is probably feeling some heat as new challengers try to infringe on its territory. Of course, the tech company has already been unseated for a few consecutive quarters by MediaTek, and the latter might be poised to make its biggest attempt yet. Early information about its upcoming Dimensity 2000 5G processor is starting to sound promising and, at the very least, could give the Snapdragon 888 some stiff competition next year.

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Oppo is set to join the growing list of smartphone makers designing their own chipsets, according to a new report, with the Chinese company said to be looking to trim its dependence on processors from Qualcomm and others. The move would follow Apple, Huawei, Samsung, Xiaomi, and Google's path to system-on-chip (SoC) independence, allowing Oppo to customize its hardware according to its specific needs for each device.

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It seems that the big game in the consumer tech market these days is for companies to design their own silicon in one form or another. Apple has, of course, been making the Apple A series of chips for iPhones and iPads far longer than its rivals, but Google has apparently started to catch on. Even Vivo jumped in on the game with its own V1 imagine signal processor. It's really no surprise that Microsoft might be joining the bandwagon, though its exact plans are still up for much speculation and debate.

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The Nokia G300 is the HMD Global's latest smartphone made to capture the low-cost 5G mobile market. This device has a 6.5-inch display with HD+ resolution and a v-shaped notch for its front-facing camera. Inside is a Qualcomm Snapdragon SM4350AB processor with 4GB RAM. This device's back-facing camera array includes 3x lenses and an LED flash.

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Today we're taking a peek at a leak of information about the next iPhone that'll likely be revealed in early 2022. This new iPhone would effectively be the iPhone SE 3, or iPhone SE (2022), but we cannot yet be certain of the name Apple will choose for the device. It seems likely that we'll see a new device with far more power and speed, but little in the way of physical shape change.

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For almost three quarters straight, MediaTek has managed to wrest the crown from Qualcomm in the mobile application processor (AP) market. Part of its winning strategy is to throw everything it has on a wall and see which ones stick, mostly targeting mid-range phones in both 5G and LTE categories. Qualcomm, of course, hasn't been absent there, and its upcoming Snapdragon 600 series chips are clearly its latest attempt to reclaim its throne in that mid-tier market, especially when it comes to gaming.

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There is an ongoing global chip shortage, but you might not think that's the case after hearing Counterpoint Research's latest market analysis report. At least as far as smartphones are concerned, the application processor (AP) and System-on-Chip (SoC) industry seem to still be on the rise, despite those economic odds. Perhaps more interesting is the revelation that, for yet another quarter, MediaTek has managed to wrest the top position from Qualcomm, though that lead might soon narrow or even be lost in the coming months.

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Despite its aggressive push in getting its own HarmonyOS and revamped EMUI skin to a large number of its current phones, Huawei may still be in trouble as far as making new devices go. It is crippled in its ability to buy the latest and greatest mobile processors from Qualcomm as well as making its own Kirin silicon. Huawei, however, is fond of finding loopholes and workarounds, and its latest strategy might be to simply drop 5G from the Snapdragon 778G and the upcoming Snapdragon 898 that it will be buying from Qualcomm.

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The launch of the Galaxy Watch 4 also brought with it a new Exynos chip designed for wearable devices. Built on a 5nm process, the Exynos W920 promises to be the most powerful and most energy-efficient platform for smartwatches today, though it is only available for Samsung smartwatches anyway. Qualcomm is expected to fire back soon with a Snapdragon Wear 5100, but, based on new yet unofficial information, it could end up being a bit of a dud in at least one aspect.

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Bluetooth audio has been around for years, but it has seen a significant increase in use thanks to Apple's initiative to remove headphone jacks in smartphones. Unfortunately, Bluetooth headphones, especially tiny earbuds, still lack some of the quality audio performance that wired headsets deliver. Apple has been working on fixing that situation with support for lossless audio in Apple Music, and now Qualcomm is doing the same for the general population with the new aptX Lossless feature coming soon to Snapdragon Sound certified smartphones and audio accessories.

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