Qualcomm is one of the leading manufacturers of chips for smartphones, tablets, laptops and other devices. But the company isn’t content with just running these devices; They also wanted to create a new class of gaming gear that could deliver immersive gaming experiences and high performance on the go. That’s why Qualcomm launched the Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 gaming platform, its first chipset dedicated to mobile gaming.
What is Snapdragon G3x Gen 1?
Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 is a SoC based on the same architecture as Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, which was announced in December 2021 as Qualcomm’s flagship chipset for high-end smartphones. However, Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 has some major differences and improvements that make it more suitable for gaming.
Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 has an octa-core design, with four Cortex A55 cores, three Cortex A78 cores, and two Cortex X1 cores. They have clock speeds of 1.8GHz, 2.42GHz, and 3GHz respectively, matching the Snapdragon 888+. The software identifies this chipset as the SM8350, which is the part code for the Snapdragon 888.
The main difference between Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is in the GPU department. The previous version features a more powerful Adreno GPU that can deliver 40% more performance than its predecessor. The exact model and specifications of this GPU have not been revealed by Qualcomm but it is expected to be based on a newer architecture than the Adreno 660 found in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.
The Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 also supports upgradable GPU drivers, which means users can download and install new drivers from Qualcomm or game developers to optimize their games for performance and compatibility. This feature was first introduced by Qualcomm with the Elite Gaming initiative in 2019.
The slide also includes features such as Variable Rate Ball (VRS), In-Game Quick Touch, Game Smoothing, and more. The platform also supports 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and Qualcomm aptX adaptive audio.
The Razer Edge 5G tablet is the first to use the Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 chip. It features a stunning 6.8-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. It also has dual front-facing speakers with Dolby Atmos sound, a four-microphone array with noise cancellation, a back-lit RGB logo, and a massive 8,000mAh battery with Qualcomm Quick Charge 5 technology. The tablet comes with it. It comes with a detachable Razer Kishi controller that connects via USB-C and provides a full set of controller-like controls for gaming.
The Razer Edge 5G tablet is not only a powerful gaming device, but also a versatile work tool. It runs on Android 12 with Razer’s own UI improvements and improvements. It also supports Google Play Store apps as well as cloud gaming services like Google Stadia and NVIDIA GeForce Now. Users can also connect the tablet to an external monitor or TV via HDMI or wireless display for a larger screen experience.
The Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 platform and Razer Edge 5G tablet are the result of a close partnership between Qualcomm and Razer, which began with the release of the first developer kit powered by the platform. End of 2022. The Developer Collection is an exclusive offer created solely for select developers who want to explore the potential of Qualcomm’s mobile gaming vision.
Qualcomm and Razer have delivered on their promise by creating one of the most impressive gaming laptops ever. The Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 platform and Razer Edge 5G tablet deliver performance, graphics, features and connectivity,
and battery life for gamers who want to enjoy their favorite games anywhere.
For now, we can only speculate about what Qualcomm plans to do with the Snapdragon G3x Gen 1. It doesn’t appear to be much more powerful than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, if at all. Qualcomm describes it as a “next level” device for mobile gamers. And given that the company also announced a partnership with ESL (E-Sports League) and more in the coming year, we could see similar devices at the forefront of the esports arena of the mobile future. Even with a device in hand, it looks like a single chipset would make more sense with future iterations.
The device comes in two variants: Razer Edge Wi-Fi and Razer Edge 5G. The Wi-Fi version connects to your home network or any public online gaming hotspot. The 5G version provides access to Verizon’s ultra-fast wireless network for cloud gaming. Both versions support Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) via the Razer Kishi V2 Pro controller.
The Razer Edge is expected to launch at $699 for the Wi-Fi version or $799 for the 5G version.