The real AI revolution is coming with this new chip for Android

© Qualcomm

In order to offer new AI-based features on our smartphones, manufacturers need to rely on chips capable of supporting some of these features locally. For example, the premium models of 2024 rely, in the majority, on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 gen 3 processor, whose “AI Engine” component is capable of locally supporting AI models with 10 billion parameters.

A premium processor alternative

And the good news is that this ability to run complex AI locally will no longer be limited to premium models for long. In fact, Qualcomm now offers manufacturers an alternative processor which costs less, but which allows them to offer the same functionalities based on generative artificial intelligence. In other words, the AI ​​revolution will be available on slightly more affordable devices, thanks to this new component.

In a press release, Qualcomm presents this new processor, called Snapdragon 8s gen 3. And the positioning of this new chip is clear: allowing manufacturers to offer certain premium features, including those linked to generative AI, on more affordable smartphones. “We are excited to introduce the latest addition to our premium Snapdragon 8 series, our most premium mobile offering, bringing a host of exceptional features specially curated to more consumers”, Chris Patrick, senior vice president and general manager of mobile phones at Qualcomm.

Llama 2 and Gemini Nano on more affordable devices

In summary, the Snapdragon 8s gen 3 will come close to the performance of the Snapdragon 8 gen 3, used by models like the Xiaomi 14, the OnePlus 12 or the Galaxy S24 Ultra. And despite its lower cost, it will also be able to locally support AI models with 10 billion parameters. This capacity, in terms of artificial intelligence, will allow smartphones that use this chip to run assistants or image generators locally. Qualcomm also specifies that the Snapdragon 8s gen 3 will be able to support models like Baichuan-7B, Llama 2 (Meta), Gemini Nano (Google) and Zhipu ChatGLM.

Obviously, this new offer from Qualcomm is already of interest to smartphone brands. Among those that will use the Snapdragon 8s gen 3 are Honor, iQOO, realme, Redmi and Xiaomi. At the moment, it is not known how much smartphones using the Snapdragon 8s gen 3 chip will cost. But we can already assume that their prices will be between mid-range prices, and the prices of premium smartphones using Snapdragon 8 gen 3 or an equivalent.

Un first model from this month of March

Normally, the first device using this new chip will be announced this month of March. Furthermore, in addition to these capabilities in terms of generative AI, Qualcomm promises that the Snapdragon 8s gen 3 will also provide access to the main advantages of premium smartphones in terms of mobile video games.

• Qualcomm presents the Snapdragon 8s gen 3, a new processor that is positioned between the mid-range and high-end
• Although it costs less, this processor will be able to support AI systems with 10 billion parameters
• Qualcomm notably indicates that it will be possible, for smartphones using this chip, to exploit the Llama 2 models from Meta and Gemini Nano from Google
• Honor, iQOO, realme, Redmi and Xiaomi will launch smartphones under Snapdragon 8s gen 3

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