QUALCOMM, INC. IFA 2020: Laptops powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 5G can deliver superior performance and battery life, 5G and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, camera and audio technology, plus AI acceleration and enterprise-grade security in thin and light form factors.
Sep 3, 2020
Qualcomm products mentioned within this post are offered by Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.
As we continue to work, learn, and entertain ourselves remotely, the demand for mobile PCs is increasing. To meet this need we're continuing to innovate in computing, and today, we're introducing a new generation of mobile PC technology.
Qualcomm President Cristiano Amon kicked off the first day of IFA 2020 with his opening keynote, where he announced our new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 5G Compute Platform for Always On, Always Connected PCs (ACPCs). The platform, which brings what we love best about our smartphones to mobile PCs, features improved performance and an enhanced feature set compared to the previous generation. With 5G and Wi-Fi 6 support, battery life that can last for days, immersive camera and audio, and improved AI acceleration and security, mobile PCs offer users the capabilities they need to stay connected and productive from virtually anywhere.
Here's a closer look at the new technologies the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 offers:
Better performance and battery lifeThe Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 5G Compute Platform delivers advanced performance without sacrificing power efficiency, supporting multiple-day battery life on a single charge*. To be exact, it offers up to 18 percent faster system-wide performance than Intel's 10th Gen i5 at about half the power consumption**. Our compute platform is even more compelling than Intel's new product with a comparable power envelope, delivering up to 50 percent more total system performance and battery life**. This means that Windows 10 PC users can stay productive without constantly worrying about the location of the nearest plug.
5G and Wi-Fi 6 connectivityAs 5G continues to roll out across the world, Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 brings this next generation of wireless to Always On, Always Connected PCs. The platform supports both sub-6 GHz and mmWave for blazing-fast, multi-gigabit 5G speeds with incredibly low latency for rapid responsiveness. 5G also comes in handy for accessing files from the cloud while on the go or on congested home networks.
When developing the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2, we kept Wi-Fi connectivity top of mind as well. The compute platform utilizes the benefits of Wi-Fi 6, including reliable connectivity and massive capacity, to alleviate crowded home networks that are packed with connected devices. Combined, these connectivity technologies help enable users to enjoy high speeds in their homes or wherever they may be.
Remote office featuresThe remote work benefits of Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 go way beyond flexible connectivity. The platform's Qualcomm Spectra ISP, for example, enables mobile camera technology up to 4K HDR video capture, so coworkers can see each other clearly on those ever-present video calls and meetings. The Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 also supports rear- and front-facing cameras of up to 32 MP, so users can easily capture meeting notes on whiteboards as well. What's more, integrated Qualcomm Aqstic technology with Echo Cancellation and Noise Suppression (ECNS) supports crystal clear audio, so coworkers on a video call can distinctly hear each other, despite any distracting background noises.
Built-in artificial intelligence further strengthens work-from-home experiences through the integrated Qualcomm AI Engine. It delivers exceptional, power-efficient AI for various applications such as AI-accelerated Eye Contact. This capability, recently demonstrated on the Microsoft Surface Pro X can detect and subtly shift a user's eyes to establish a more personal connection during a video call.
For another custom virtual meeting experience, we collaborated with Loom.ai on its LoomieLive application, which taps the Snapdragon compute platform for its advanced AI capabilities. Together, LoomieLive and Snapdragon can enhance video conferencing with expressive avatars and enhanced privacy.
Enterprise-grade securityAll of these advanced features would mean nothing if the devices aren't protected. The Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 is designed to help devices remain highly secure for users' and businesses' increasingly remote needs. The Snapdragon compute platform is engineered to make it easier for IT administrators to provide necessary support and security from virtually anywhere in the world.
Every Snapdragon compute platform can support the Microsoft Secured-core PC, which is the most secure Windows 10 device in the Microsoft lineup. Armed with deeply integrated hardware, software, firmware, and identity protection, this PC is prepared to prevent advanced malware from tampering with the system and attacking at the firmware level.
We also worked with cybersecurity leader Sophos to optimize security solutions to help detect threats on the device 7x faster than our competition. With 5G Always Connected PCs, this can enable rapid threat analysis across corporate devices via the cloud as well. We're very excited to see the launch their Intercept X solution for Windows on Snapdragon devices expected in Q4.
Software ecosystemWhile Windows on Snapdragon has already been receiving great consumer reviews - a testament to the amazing experience of using a Snapdragon-powered ACPC - we're committed to working with the Windows 10 software ecosystem and continuing to deliver new and exciting applications that are optimized for the Snapdragon compute platform.
During Cristiano's IFA keynote, Microsoft's Chief Product Officer Panos Panay virtually took the stage, to discuss the company's App Assure Program. The program pairs Microsoft engineers with customers, developers, and ISVs to help fix any application compatibility issues at no cost.
For more support for Windows 10 on Snapdragon, we recently published new website pages dedicated to answering any questions consumers, IT administrators, and developers may have about app compatibility. We're also running pilot programs in the commercial segment and have received positive feedback from customers and ISVs. We're looking forward to rolling this out broadly and Microsoft will be sharing more information in the coming weeks.
Upcoming Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2-powered launchesDuring the keynote, Acer co-COO Jerry Kao shared a sneak peek of the company's first Windows on Snapdragon Always On, Always Connected 5G PC, which will also be Acer's first 5G device.
We also teased an HP device that's based on Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 and designed for businesses craving speed and mobility for their teams. HP will be revealing more details about this PC later this year.
The Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 Compute Platform is just one of the ways we're making the world more intelligent, productive, and connected. When we innovate, our customers are able to compete and deliver the kind of game-changing solutions we announced today. Businesses deserve the best, and that's Snapdragon.
Learn more about the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 Compute Platform.
Engage with us on
Twitter and LinkedIn
Opinions expressed in the content posted here are the personal opinions of the original authors, and do not necessarily reflect those of Qualcomm Incorporated or its subsidiaries ('Qualcomm'). Qualcomm products mentioned within this post are offered by Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. The content is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant to be an endorsement or representation by Qualcomm or any other party. This site may also provide links or references to non-Qualcomm sites and resources. Qualcomm makes no representations, warranties, or other commitments whatsoever about any non-Qualcomm sites or third-party resources that may be referenced, accessible from, or linked to this site.
Miguel Nunes
Senior Director, Product Management, Qualcomm Technologies
More articles from this author
About this author
Attachments
- Original document
- Permalink
Disclaimer
Qualcomm Inc. published this content on 03 September 2020 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 03 September 2020 12:59:03 UTC
