Qualcomm Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 Affordable 5G Chipset Launched To Rival MediaTek In Sub-Rs 10,000 Segment

This release is significant as it intensifies the competition between Qualcomm and its Taiwanese rival MediaTek in the Indian 5G chipset market, particularly for devices priced under Rs 10,000.

US chipset-making giant Qualcomm has unveiled its latest budget-friendly chipset, the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2, designed specifically for the Indian market. This new processor aims to enable manufacturers to produce 5G smartphones compatible with standalone (SA) networks at a price point of Rs 8,200 or less.

This release is significant as it intensifies the competition between Qualcomm and its Taiwanese rival MediaTek in the growing Indian 5G chipset market, particularly for devices priced under Rs 10,000.

Qualcomm In Talks With Xiaomi, Others To Launch Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 SoC

Qualcomm has partnered with Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi, with the first devices featuring the new Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 SoC expected to be available in India by October. The company is also in discussions with other device makers to introduce the processor.

“The Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 Mobile Platform is a significant step towards making 5G technology more accessible to millions of people at the entry tier,” Chris Patrick, senior vice president and general manager of mobile handsets, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., said in a statement.

“By balancing affordability and strong performance with all-day battery life, we are enabling widespread access to 5G for a smoother transition for consumers looking to upgrade from 4G. We are immensely proud of our engineering teams for their exceptional work in developing a solution that will significantly enhance mobile experiences for millions of people, not only in India but around the globe.”

Notably, Qualcomm faces strong competition from MediaTek, as its Dimensity chipsets are already powering 5G phones priced around Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 in the country.

MediaTek-powered devices in this range include the Lava Blaze 5G, Itel P55, and Poco M6 64GB, which are compatible with both SA (Reliance Jio) and non-standalone (NSA) 5G networks. In contrast, Qualcomm's new chipset will operate on NSA networks using 4G.

The newly introduced chipset boasts a sophisticated 64-bit architecture, featuring an octa-core Qualcomm Kryo CPU configuration. This setup comprises two high-performance cores reaching speeds of up to 2.0 GHz, complemented by six efficiency-focused cores operating at a maximum of 1.8 GHz. The integrated Adreno GPU supports advanced graphics APIs, including OpenGL ES 3.2, Vulkan 1.1, and OpenCL 2.0. Utilizing cutting-edge 4nm fabrication technology, this system-on-chip (SoC) aims to deliver enhanced performance and power efficiency.

According to Qualcomm, devices equipped with this chipset can incorporate LPDDR4x RAM with clock speeds up to 2133 MHz and use UFS 3.1 storage technology. The chipset's imaging capabilities are powered by a 12-bit Spectra Image Signal Processor (ISP), supporting single camera sensors up to 84 megapixels. Advanced photography features such as electronic image stabilization (EIS) and Multi Frame Noise Reduction (MFNR) are also supported.

In terms of display technology, the chipset can drive Full HD+ screens with refresh rates of up to 90Hz. Video playback is supported at 1080p resolution with frame rates reaching 60 fps. Audio enthusiasts will appreciate the inclusion of Qualcomm aptX Adaptive Audio technology, enabling high-quality 96kHz music streaming. This comprehensive feature set positions the new chipset as a compelling option for manufacturers looking to create capable yet affordable 5G-enabled devices.