Qualcomm introduces 64-bit mobile device processors

Mobile chip developer Qualcomm today unwrapped its new high-end 64-bit Snapdragon processors, in 810 and 808 variants, both of which feature built-in Category 6 Long Term Evolution (LTE) broadband support with three 20MHz band carrier aggregation for 300Mbps downloads.

The new Snapdragons use 20 nanometre technology, and the 810 features support for 4K video with gyro-stabilised camera hardware. Image sensors up to 55 megapixels are supported by the 810.

The 810 and 808 come in four and two core configurations, and follow the 64-bit 615, 610 and 410 series Snapdragons that were unveiled in February this year.

Qualcomm and other mobile device chip makers were caught on the back foot last year when Apple introduced its advanced A7 system-on-a-chip with 64-bit processor, which the company said provides desktop class performance.

At the time, Qualcomm chief marketing officer Anand Chandrasekher wrote off the Apple A7 as meaningless.

“I think they are doing a marketing gimmick. There's zero benefit a consumer gets from that,” Chandrasekher was reported to have said in October.

Apple is likely to lead in the 64-bit field this year and most of next, as Qualcomm says commercial devices built around the new Snapdragon processors won't be available until the first half of 2015.

Meanwhile, Apple is rumoured to launch a new 64-bit SoC this year for its expected iPhone 6.