Qualcomm has launched its new Snapdragon G series chips for handheld gaming devices. The Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 is the most powerful of the lineup. It brings ray tracing, Unreal Engine 5’s Lumen support, and high refresh rate displays. Qualcomm has also introduced the Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 and Snapdragon G1 Gen 2 for midrange and entry-level gaming consoles.
Snapdragon G3 Gen 3: High-End Gaming Performance
The Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 is built for premium handheld gaming. It has an octa-core CPU with one prime core, five performance cores, and two efficiency cores. This is the first Snapdragon G-series chip to support ray tracing and Unreal Engine 5’s Lumen system for better lighting and reflections.
It comes with an Adreno A32 GPU and supports Quad HD+ displays with up to 144Hz refresh rate. The chipset also includes Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 for fast and stable wireless gaming. According to Qualcomm, the Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 is 30% faster in CPU performance and 28% better in GPU performance than its predecessor, the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2.
Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 & Snapdragon G1 Gen 2: Options for Budget Gamers
The Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 is designed for midrange handheld gaming. It has an octa-core CPU but with one less performance core and an extra efficiency core compared to the G3 Gen 3. It features an Adreno A22 GPU and supports Quad HD+ 144Hz displays, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.3.
For entry-level devices, the Snapdragon G1 Gen 2 is aimed at cloud gaming and basic handheld gameplay. It includes two performance cores, six efficiency cores, and an Adreno A12 GPU. It supports 1080p gameplay at 120Hz and features Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1.
Upcoming Handheld Consoles With Snapdragon G-Series Chips
Several gaming brands are set to release new handheld devices powered by these chips. Qualcomm confirmed that the Ayaneo Pocket S2 and OneXSugar Sugar 1 will use the Snapdragon G3 Gen 3, while the Retroid Pocket Classic will feature the Snapdragon G1 Gen 2. These devices will be available in the coming weeks.
Qualcomm’s Vision for Handheld Gaming
Qualcomm wants to improve handheld gaming with better performance and new features. The Snapdragon G series now supports everything from high-end gaming with ray tracing to budget-friendly cloud gaming devices.
Micah Knapp, Senior Director of Product Management at Qualcomm, said, “The Snapdragon G Series Gaming Platforms are redefining on-the-go gaming with advanced performance and immersive experiences.”
With better graphics, improved performance, and faster connectivity, the Snapdragon G series is set to power the next generation of handheld gaming.
