According to a recent tear down by iSuppli, the Samsung Galaxy S4 powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 600 quad-core processor, which is found primarily here in the U.S., is very much different from the International models. Reported in their findings is an extra image processor, manufactured by Fujitsu, which allows the Galaxy S4 to perform some its more process-intensive tasks such as eye tracking. In the Octa core-powered variants of the device, that extra processor is not needed. 

While we have already seen Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 600 processor making its way into this year’s top Android devices, we have been awaiting news on when we can start seeing the Snapdragon 800, their crème de la crème. At a media event in Beijing, the company’s senior product manager confirmed that they are to start mass production of the chip this May, but was adamant on not specifying any devices it would be seen in. 

According to a report out of Reuters this evening, Google will launch a new version of its popular Nexus 7 tablet this July. The tablet will be made by Asus once again, but will use one of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors this time around in favor of NVIDIA’s Tegra line, “for power reasons,” one of their sources said. The new N7 will also sport a display with a higher resolution and a casing with a much smaller bezel than the current model. 

Benchmarks were recently filed through GL Benchmark that point directly towards the upcoming LG Optimus G2 for T-Mobile. Previously, we discussed this device for two main reasons – first that it would be launched possibly running Android 5.0 aka Key Lime Pie, and that it would come powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 800 processor. Today, we can start the process of confirming at least one part of that, as the device has shown up as the LG D801, sporting the MSM8974 (800). 

According to Korean media outlet Digital Times, Samsung may have to use a different processor in the Galaxy S4 other than the Exynos Octa processor that was unveiled during CES. Instead, they could use one of Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon processors, which wouldn’t be surprising after the benchmark we saw for the Samsung SCH-I545, a device that could be Verizon’s version of the GS4. The processor listed in that benchmark was a Qualcomm Snapdragon 600, the same beast that resides in the new HTC One. By no means would this be some sort of a disappointment, you just wouldn’t be able to run around bragging to friends that your phone has a faux octa-core processor.

This report claims that the Octa is having power consumption issues that may not be resolved in time.

All is rumor or speculation until it becomes official.

Via:  Digital Times

This morning, Qualcomm dropped two brand new features on us that we will see featured in their upcoming Snapdragon 800 chipsets. Remember Quick Charge 1.0? Well, say hi to Quick Charge 2.0. With 2.0, devices can now receive a full charge up to 75% faster than a device without it. The specially designed chargers, which are backwards compatible, provide enough power and voltage safely to make sure you are spending less time plugged into the wall and more time out and about with your smartphone. 

In a recent press release, Qualcomm felt like it would be a good idea to remind folks that having a Snapdragon processor in your mobile device is a good thing. If you have noticed that while charging your Snapdragon-powered smartphone/tablet that it charges quicker than your previous non Snapdragon-powered device, then you aren’t hallucinating. In fact, newer Snapdragon devices come equipped with Quick Charge 1.0, a technology that helps charge your device up to 40% quicker.

From what we can see, either you love the idea of NVIDIA’s Project SHIELD or find it to be the biggest waste of resources ever. According to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Product Manager’s recent comments, I think we know where they stand on that one.

In a recent chat with The Verge, Raj Tulluri said that these devices will find a way to come out to market on their own, which gives Qualcomm little reason to compete with their customers in the hardware-making game. In essence, he feels that they would be stealing business from themselves if they made a rival to Project SHIELD.