The Motorola XT1058, or better known as the “XFON,” is fully expected to launch on AT&T some time in the very near future. We’ve seen benchmarks with AT&T in the name, an FCC filing with model number that points towards AT&T bands, and pictures of the device in the wild with AT&T logos in the notification bar. But what about the other carriers? If the XT1058 is only headed to AT&T, does that mean the XFON is another AT&T exclusive or is there another model coming to carriers like Verizon? 

According to an .ini file pulled from leaked Motorola USB drivers, the XT1058 will be accompanied by a device XT1060, which appears to be the CDMA variant of the XFON. The .ini file lists out chipsets and models numbers for devices to be picked up when using Motorola’s RSD lite application. For the XT1060 we’re seeing a chipset labeled “MSM8960CDMA,” a Snapdragon 4 Pro dual-core variant, similar to what we saw in the benchmark for the XT1058. We’re assuming it’s the Pro here clocked at 1.7GHz with the Adreno 320 GPU, and not the lower-regular version with the Adreno 225 GPU.

Here is a clip from the .ini file:

////////////////////////////

So this news shouldn’t surprise anyone, since manufacturers almost always try to keep phones as similar as possible these days when launching them on multiple carriers. This just means that Verizon (or even Sprint) isn’t going to see a wild change in processor when compared to the AT&T XFON.

Cheers ___!

Verizon’s “XFON” Likely the XT1060, Also Runs a Snapdragon S4 Dual-core MSM8960 is a post from: Droid Life

According to Pacific Crest analyst Michael McConnell, the next version of the Nexus 7 will feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro (APQ8064) processor instead of NVIDIA’s next-gen Tegra 4. Because of Qualcomm’s tighter integration with modem technology, McConnell figures that a Snapdragon chip will simplify the supply and essentially lower costs. 

As you all know, the current Nexus 7 runs NVIDIA’s Tegra 3 processor. However, thus far, no version of the Nexus 7 contains an LTE chip, something that has become somewhat commonplace when it comes to Tegra 3 devices. If Google were to go with Qualcomm, they will have no issues taking the next Nexus 7 into LTE territory, should that be one of their goals.

McConnell states that the new Nexus 7 will ship in Q2 of this year. This matches up to a previous rumor which suggested that Google and Asus would unveil the next-gen tablet at Google I/O in May.

The latest spec chatter pegs the device has having a full HD (1080p) display, smaller bezel, and dropping in at the same $199 and $249 prices we are seeing from the current model.

Thoughts on the lack of a Tegra 4? Qualcomm over NVIDIA, OK with you?

Via:  CNET

Analyst Claims New Nexus 7 Will Ditch Tegra Chip in Favor of Qualcomm, Arrives in Q2 of This Year is a post from: Droid Life

The folks at Qualcomm reached out to us this afternoon to pass along their latest contest. It’s developer-focused, meaning they want to give away three (3) Snapdragon S4 Mobile Development Platform Tablets. As you all know, the Snapdragon S4 Pro is the quad-core beast processor that’s in many of the top phones these days like the Nexus 4 (review) and DROID DNA (review). In this tablet, you’ll find the processor clocked at 1.5GHz, an Adreno 320 GPU, and a world of development at your fingertips. 

Here are the instructions for entry:

Enter to win now, by following us on Twitter at @Qualcomm_Dev and tweet using the hashtag #QualcommDevs or Like QDevNet on Facebook and submit an entry form. Good luck!

You can enter to win once per week, through February 1st.

Via:  Qualcomm [Rules]

Developers – Qualcomm is Giving Away Three Snapdragon S4 Pro Developer Tablets is a post from: Droid Life

LG introduced the Optimus G back in November, but before the paint could even dry, its successor was already being rumored as the Optimus G2. With a 5.5″ 1080p display and new Snapdragon S4 “Prime” processor, the MSM8974 (quad-core with speeds of 2.0 – 2.5GHz), it’s certainly a step up on the spec front. The original rumor for this phone pegged it for a May 2013 release, but famed rumor monger DigiTimes thinks that LG will show it off at CES, next week. This matches up to a report out of GSMArena last week. 

The move makes sense for LG, even if they just released the Optimus G and Nexus 4 within the last couple of months. 1080p is going to be the standard in 2013, something we are already seeing evidence from with companies like Huawei and ZTE. Both companies are expected to show off 1080p phones next week, so if LG wants to continue to try to come back in the smartphone industry, they better get a phone ready with the latest and greatest specs. And let’s not forget that HTC already has a 1080p phone out and is planning to launch more, if rumors are true.

The good news is that we’ll know in a matter of days. LG has a CES press event on Monday at 8AM.

Via:  DigiTimes | GSMArena

LG Optimus G2 Showing Up at CES With Snapdragon S4 Prime Processor and 1080p Display? is a post from: Droid Life

Rigonauts, an award winning ship building puzzle game, has landed in the Google Play store. Well, for some. If you own a Verizon device that is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, then you can grab the game today and play it exclusively for two weeks before it goes public to all Android smartphones.  

I have to admit that I’m not all that familiar with the game, but after watching the preview, I can see how this could be addicting. Your goal is to build a ship that can go to battle and withstand a barrage of bombs and gunfire. If you can take down the enemy ship before your ship is destroyed, you win. It’s just too bad that my RAZR M isn’t showing as being compatible.

On a related note, the message that Verizon sent to us said that they have the exclusive on the game from 10/9 – 10/23, so that it can show off the “driving capabilities” of the Snapdragon processor in the DROID RAZR HD. Wait a minute! I didn’t think we had an official release date for it yet? October 18 looking more likely by the day.

Play Link ($2.99)

Click here to view the embedded video.

Rigonauts Launches Exclusively for Verizon Snapdragon Devices for Two Weeks, Including the RAZR HD is a post from: Droid Life

Now that we know the codename for LG’s Nexus phone is Mako, we can start the usual searches for it across the web. One of the first things we almost always do is search NenaMark, as testers tend to benchmark their devices on this site well before they are ever released. After doing a quick “find on page” in the results section, you will definitely find a device by the name Mako that runs a similar “JellyBeanMR1″ to the devices we saw last night in pictures. 

There isn’t a lot to learn, but we do get confirmations on the Snapdragon S4 Pro processor thanks to the Adreno 320 GPU note. We can also see that the screen resolution is an HD screen at 1196×768. At full resolution, without the on-screen navigation keys, that would read 1280×768.

The device is showing in AnTuTu as well, but there isn’t much to gather from it other than the clock speed of the quad-core processor which is 1.5GHz.

Via:  Nenamark | Android and Me

NenaMark Benchmark Confirms Snapdragon S4 Pro Processor of the LG Nexus, Screen Resolution Too is a post from: Droid Life

With news of Texas Instruments pulling their OMAP line of mobile processors out of the game, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to find out the preferred processor for your smartphones and tablets. Clearly, the strongest player in 2012 has been Qualcomm and their Snapdragon S4 that has been thrown in just about every LTE device. NVIDIA with their Tegra 3 and Samsung with their Exynos have lagged behind a touch because of LTE, but things are about to change on that front. We also have Intel as a new player that will eventually make some noise.

Is there a chipset in particular that you prefer? Are you thrilled with the efficiency and power of the Snapdragon S4, especially when paired with LTE? What about the gaming and graphics processing beast, the Tegra 3? Or are you more interested in finally getting the quad-core Exynos processor and LTE in something like the Galaxy Note 2?

And processor gurus, we would love for you to geek out on this one in the comments.

Wednesday Poll: Preferred Mobile Processor? is a post from: Droid Life

Today, Texas Instruments has come out and announced that they will be looking to “shift focus” away from their mobile processor business. In a market that has become increasingly dominated by Qualcomm, NVIDIA and Samsung, Texas Instruments has not found the wiggle room to keep their business going. This could mean that we won’t see their new OMAP5 processor either.

While the OMAP Platform may have powered some of our most beloved phones like most of Motorola’s DROID line, the Galaxy Nexus, and the Kindle Fire, we won’t be seeing much out of them anymore. They do plan to continue to support current devices for the time being, but will mostly focus their efforts on a broader and more stable market, like cars.

The good news for us is that we are still getting great chips like the Snapdragon S4 and Tegra 3 in our mobile devices. At the same time though, we always love competition, and this means one less player is in the game.

Sad to see TI go?

Via:  Reuters

Texas Instruments Gives up on OMAP Platform for Phones, Looking to Shift Focus is a post from: Droid Life

At the end of August, and just before the start of IFA in Berlin, LG announced the Optimus G. At the time, I referred to it as a “beast” because of its insane specs and the fact that the phone is the first to sport Qualcomm’s new quad-core Snapdragon S4 with an Adreno 320 GPU. Beyond the processor, it also has a 4.7″ True HD IPS display with 320ppi and will look equally as good as the new iPhone 5 display because it’s full sRGB. Not only will it look brilliant, but is the first to use LG’s G2 Touch Hybrid technology which means the display itself is ultra thin and cuts down on reflections. We’re talking a serious phone here, folks. 

So when LG invited us to their September 19 event in NYC where they have partnered up with Qualcomm, we immediately thought, “Optimus G for the U.S.?” We don’t have confirmation on that being the case or anything, but what else could it be? Qualcomm wouldn’t be headlining another dual-core Snapdragon S4 phone event, right?

We’ll know for sure next week when our man Kover is on the scene.

Who isn’t excited to see this?

LG and Qualcomm Holding Event on September 19, Ready for a Snapdragon S4 Quad-core? is a post from: Droid Life

HTC apparently wasn’t ok with people calling the One X the best Android phone they’ve ever used; they saw more room for improvement. The above screenshot is from the rumored One XXL that takes the original and bumps the specs even more. Not to be out done by Samsung, this new phone will have the same 4.7″ LCD2 screen packed in, but will feature 2GB of RAM and a quad-core Snapdragon S4 processor that will play friendly with LTE.

This sounds like an amazing bump in specs to a phone that already blew people’s minds when they purchased it. This certainly matches up with HTC’s promise to focus on high-end phones, the question is: is any of this rumor true? The One X only officially launched a few months ago so we don’t expect to be seeing this anytime soon, although that doesn’t mean we’re not excited.

Via:  SmartDroid

Cheers Denny!

HTC One XXL on the Way With Snapdragon S4 Quad-core Chip, 2GB of RAM, and LTE? is a post from: Droid Life

Could this be a NenaMark 2 benchmark for a new Pantech (model number ADR910L) device headed to Verizon? From looking over the benchmark, we can see it sports the Adreno 225 GPU which points to a Qualcomm S4 chip, Ice Cream Sandwich, and we assume it will have 4G LTE aboard since VZW has stated that they would be only launching devices with 4G LTE capability in 2012. So, could this be the next iteration of the Breakout which was model number ADR8995?

The S4 and ICS do make it sound nice, but with a reported resolution of just 480×800, we shouldn’t expect this to be the next superphone everyone is dying to get their hands on. For those interested in mid-range devices, having the S4 processor for a much more affordable price will be a major draw though. Our ears are officially perked for more info on this handset.

Via: NenaMark

Pictured Benchmark Belongs to New Snapdragon S4 Powered Pantech Device, Complete with Ice Cream Sandwich is a post from: Droid Life