Qualcomm Reveals Snapdragon G Series Processors for Handheld Gaming
Qualcomm has a robust portfolio of computing solutions for gaming. Now, the company has released a new family of SoCs, broken into three tiers to meet different handheld gaming needs.
This week, Qualcomm unveiled a new series of Gaming Platforms, the G Series, in three distinct families: the G1, G2, and G3x Gen 2. The company designed each tier to cater to specific gaming needs and performance levels.
Qualcomm has released three new gaming platforms. Image (modified) used courtesy of Qualcomm
With the launch of the Snapdragon G Series, Qualcomm is targeting a diverse spectrum of gaming experiences, from casual play on compact devices to high-end enthusiast gaming.
| G1 | G2 | G3x Gen 2 | |
| GPU | Adreno A11 GPU | Adreno A21 GPU | Adreno A32 GPU |
| CPU | Kryo CPU (8 cores) | Kryo CPU | Kryo CPU (8 cores) |
| Connectivity Specs |
Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5 |
Wi-Fi 6/6E, Bluetooth 5 |
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 |
G1 Family
The Snapdragon G1 Gen 1 Gaming Platform is a new SoC for compact and low-power gaming devices.
Built specifically to support fanless, handheld gaming devices, the Snapdragon G1 product optimizes battery life and power efficiency. To do this, the G1 features an architecture based on an 8-core Kryo CPU alongside an Adreno A11 GPU. From a connectivity standpoint, the device supports connectivity to 802.11ac 11x1 standards as well as Bluetooth 5.
The G1 tier can support full HD 1080p video playback at 60 frames per second. Qualcomm envisions the G1 family for remote console gaming and cloud-enabled gaming services.
G2 Family
Unlike the G1 tier, which focuses on lighter gaming options, Qualcomm's Snapdragon G2 Gen 1 Gaming Platform is designed for heavier workloads such as PC gaming and Android gaming. A major differentiator between the two families is G2’s inclusion of a Snapdragon X62 5G modem. Supporting mmWave sub-6GHz technology, Qualcomm FastConnect 6700, 802.11ax 2x2, and Bluetooth 5, the G2 family is more heavily equipped for low-latency connectivity.
The G2 family is built around an 8-core Kryo CPU and an Adreno A21 GPU. Together, these processors allow the device to support video capture features of 4K30 and a max on-device FHD+ of up to 144 FPS.
G3x Gen 2 Family
Finally, Qualcomm has rolled out its Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 Gaming Platform, building on the experience of the G3x Gen 1 Platform.
Qualcomm claims the new G3 family doubles GPU speed and improves CPU speed by 30%. Image (modified) used courtesy of Qualcomm
Dubbed an “enthusiast-class” gaming solution, the G3x Gen 2 family is the highest-performance offering of Qualcomm’s most recent releases. It features an 8-core Kryo CPU alongside an Adreno A32 GPU. According to Qualcomm, these computing resources speed up CPU performance by 30% and double GPU speed compared to its predecessor. The device also features support for dual cameras and includes new high-end gaming features like hardware-accelerated ray tracing, game super-resolution, and XR glass tethering.
The G3x Gen 2 features a 300 MHz sub-6 GHz cellular modem offering peak 5G download speeds of up to 10 Gbps, peak upload speeds of 5.8 Gbps, and support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3.
Targeting a Diverse Gaming Market
In a rapidly growing and competitive gaming market, Qualcomm sees its latest releases positioning it at the forefront of handheld gaming. With three offerings, each catering to different use cases and consumer groups, Qualcomm demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the diverse spectrum of gaming experiences.
