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Qualcomm unveils Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 chipset for portable consoles

The best gaming smartphones use Snapdragon SoCs, but Qualcomm has decided to enter the handheld game console market, which currently has no dominant players. These are devices like the Nintendo Switch that are positioned between a smartphone and a computer. The first chipset for such devices is called the Snapdragon G3x Gen 1, and it borrows a lot not only from its mobile counterparts, but also from the Snapdragon XR2, which is used in the Oculus Quest 2 VR headset. It is configured with an exclusive Adreno GPU that can run games at up to 144 frames per second.

Qualcomm wants to provide developers with a platform for which they can first create content, and only then will offer manufacturers to release portable consoles. That is why the company has created a development kit based on the Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 platform in partnership with Razer, which has a long history of creating hardware for gamers. Qualcomm has no intention of selling the development kit as a consumer device. It’s more of a demonstration of what can be done with the G3x chip.

The device features a 6.65-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR support. There’s also a 5MP front-facing camera, built-in 6,000mAh battery, and active cooling for consistent performance. The device is designed with ergonomics in mind, so it can be used for extended gaming sessions.

Qualcomm is currently focusing on Android as the operating system for its new hardware platform, but does not rule out support for other systems in the future, such as SteamOS. The company is currently working with partners to map on-screen controls to hardware joysticks, buttons, and triggers. The G3x platform will natively support a variety of controllers and offer some advanced features such as tactile stereo. There will also be built-in support for streaming games.

The development kit uses a wireless connection using the 5G mmWave and Wi-Fi 6E communication standards. There is also the option to connect to external 4K displays or mixed reality headsets via the USB-C port.

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