Qualcomm announced two new Snapdragon S4 mobile processors: the MSM8225Q and MSM8625Q, offering OEMs both dual-core and quad-core CPUs and performance for new generation of entry-level smartphones. In addition, the company also unveiled the Snapdragon S4 Plus MSM8930, a single platform that supports all China operators with UMTS, CDMA and TD-SCDMA, as well as LTE-TDD.
The quad-core variants will support LPDDR2 memory, increasing the bus bandwidth to enable such features as 720p display and 720p video encode and decode. The S4 Play MSM8625Q also comes with Qualcomm’s integrated multimode UMTS/CDMA modem, while the MSM8225Q has an integrated UMTS modem. In addition, both processors enable Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and FM connectivity using the Qualcomm Atheros AR6005 and WCN2243 chips.
Finally, Qualcomm will also be releasing Qualcomm Reference Design (QRD) versions of all three processors, enabling OEMs to bring their products to market as quickly as possible.
Qualcomm’s new processors will be ready for customer sampling by end of 2012 and are expected to be shipping in commercial devices in the first quarter of 2013. And in case you wonder, these are not as fast as the Snapdragon S4 Pro found in the new LG Optimus G.