Snapdragon 8s Elite To Feature An Advanced CPU Architecture
Qualcomm Product Line Expansion Qualcomm is expanding its chipset offerings to address more market segments and create new tiers. A recent report says they are working on the Snapdragon 8s Elite, a high end processor to fill the gap between the Snapdragon 8 Elite and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This will help them to cater to users who want near flagship performance at a lower price point, to fill the space between the Snapdragon 7 series and the premium Snapdragon 8 series. New Market Segments The Snapdragon 8s Elite is a new tier in Qualcomm’s lineup, high end performance at a more affordable price. According to Digital Chat Station, the chip with code name Qualcomm SM8735 is for niche markets and flexible for OEMs to target a wider audience. With this new SoC in the “s” category, Qualcomm is giving users who want performance but are budget conscious an option. Snapdragon 8s Elite The Elite chipset has the most advanced CPU design to find the perfect balance between performance and power consumption. The key specs are: *A single Cortex-X4 core for extreme performance, 3.21 GHz. *Three Cortex-A720 performance cores, 3.01 GHz. *Two Cortex-A720 efficiency cores, 2.80 GHz. *Two efficiency cores, 2.02 GHz for lighter jobs. This structured design allows the chip to do heavy tasks with best power efficiency on daily usage. Snapdragon 8s Elite vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Compared to the Snapdragon 8 Elite with two Oryon cores at 4.32 GHz and six performance cores at 3.53 GHz, the Snapdragon 8s Elite is a slight slowdown. So it’s a good option for users who want good performance without the flagship price or power consumption. Potential Partners and Market Impact According to the report this could be the first time Redmi or iQOO will launch with the Snapdragon 8s Elite and it could be a great option in the high end mid range smartphone segment. With this chip, the brands mentioned above can offer powerful devices at affordable price to performance ratio which could attract users who want value for money. Expected Launch Timeline No official release date for the 8s Elite yet but based on Qualcomm’s history this chip is coming. Its arrival will shake up the mid range and high end smartphone market with a more affordable yet powerful alternative to flagship chips. Conclusion The Snapdragon 8s Elite is an embodiment of innovation and market flexibility by Qualcomm. With this new chip they are filling a big gap in their product lineup – near flagship performance at more affordable price. This will further expand Qualcomm’s market share and also allow OEMs to produce devices for a wider audience. Source
Nintendo Switch 2: Leaked Clock Speeds and Technical Insights
There has been much speculation over the Nintendo Switch 2, and new leaks over the clock speeds continue to build upon that buzz. Recent analysis by Digital Foundry-a group of technical experts-shines light on those leaks, thus offering insight into the hardware and maybe even the performance of the new console. Leaked Clock Speeds: A Closer Look A digital foundry podcast discussed the leaked clock speeds of the Nintendo Switch 2. The system seemed to run on an 8nm chip, which is within the realm of possibilities for the NVIDIA T239 chip. While the clock speeds seem reasonable for this sort of system, there were a few caveats: GPU Clock Speeds in Handheld Mode: The GPU clock speed for handheld mode seems a bit on the lower side, especially considering how effectively the system can cool. CPU Clock Speeds Surprisingly, the CPU clock speeds-running on eight Cortex A78 cores-are actually higher when the console is in portable mode compared to when it is docked. This unusual configuration could indicate that Nintendo disables cores in portable mode to save battery or uses different CPU frequency modes for docked mode. Barring these quirks, the clock speeds are about where one would reasonably expect them to be with an 8nm chip, further solidifying that the T239 chip is indeed the backbone of the Nintendo Switch 2. Memory Bandwidth and Display Concerns Another possible limitation is the system’s memory bandwidth in portable mode. If the rumors about the Switch 2 featuring a 1080p screen prove true, this bandwidth might just become a bottleneck. Unfortunately, the reveal trailer didn’t confirm the screen resolution, leaving fans guessing about the display’s capabilities. NVIDIA DLSS and Graphics Potential The Switch 2 is supposedly rocking some form of NVIDIA’s Ampere architecture, but how it makes use of this tech is anyone’s guess. A short clip of Mario Kart in the reveal trailer didn’t indicate anything too new like NVIDIA DLSS or any other features Ampere can bring to the table. Digital Foundry noted that the console could include NVIDIA’s new Transformer Model for DLSS, but this model might be computationally too intensive for the more mobile-focused hardware of the Switch 2. Instead, it would be more plausible to use a more lightweight version of DLSS, as hinted at in a patent recently, which would let the system balance performance with its hardware limitations. What’s Next for the Nintendo Switch 2? It is now that an official at Nintendo has confirmed that the Switch 2 will hit the global market later this year. Fans won’t have to wait much longer for more information-the company is going to hold a dedicated Nintendo Direct event in early April. The event will dive deep into the console’s features, specifications, and game lineup. Final Thoughts The leak of the clock speeds and hardware details for the Nintendo Switch 2 hint at a promising, yet cautious, upgrade over its predecessor. With questions around performance in handheld mode and just how the system will make use of NVIDIA’s more advanced technologies, there is a great foundation with the 8nm chip and T239 architecture. As April approaches, anticipation builds for what could be Nintendo’s next big success. Source
Nubia Flip 2 Comes With Bigger Cover Screen
Last year we saw ZTE’s Nubia division shake things up with the Nubia Flip 5G-a foldable for a mere $499. That was a pretty bold undercut of competitors like the Tecno Phantom Z Flip and Moto Razr+ 2024, showing that foldables doesn’t need to be ridiculously expensive. Today, it’s pushing things even further by announcing the release of the Nubia Flip 2. The Nubia Flip Legacy The first Nubia Flip wasn’t a feature-set trendsetter, but it did the very important work of disrupting the foldable phone space with high prices. Up until recently, the term “foldable” was nearly synonymous with “expensive,” with prices sometimes more than $1,000. Products such as the Moto Razr 2024 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 continue this trend. Then foldables became more generally affordable when prices started to come down with devices like the Nubia Flip, Tecno Phantom Flip and entry-level versions of the Razr. In some ways, the 5G version of the original Nubia Flip was something of a harbinger of this trend because it showed foldable phones really could be rather competent without necessarily requiring too much cash being thrown at them. And now there’s the Nubia Flip 2. The Nubia Flip 2 Nubia has taken a fresh approach with the design of the Nubia Flip 2. Unlike its predecessor, which featured a prominent circular camera bump and a small external display, the new model goes for a sleeker, more practical design. That’s changed; the external display is now a rectangular 3-inch screen that dominates much of the front panel, even though it doesn’t quite match the expansive external displays on Samsung’s and Motorola’s foldables. Alongside the display, there’s space to place two separate camera sensors discreetly, as well as a ring light flash. It keeps the previous generation’s textured, matte-finished chassis that looks at once stylish and durable. However, one of the more obvious changes relates to the design of the frame. Whereas the first Nubia Flip had a completely flat frame – similar to the Galaxy Z Flip 6 -, the Flip 2 makes do with a rounded frame that may be easier to open and close. Display and Hardware The Nubia Flip 2 comes with excellent features considering its modest price. Outer Display: Size: 3 inches Resolution: 422 x 682 pixels (267 PPI) Inner Display: Size: 6.9 inches Technology: AMOLED Resolution: 1080p Under the hood, the phone is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7300X SoC which promises solid mid-range performance. Not intended for serious gamers, the chip still pushes out enough power for daily consumption. Driving the chipset is 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. Running on Android 14, the Nubia Flip 2 is quite competent in most regards. Camera Capabilities The camera on the Nubia Flip 2 is not particularly shabby. Headlined by a 50MP main sensor and a depth sensor with a resolution of 2MP, options for solid photography options are available. A 32MP selfie camera inside rounds out quality video calls and selfies. Additional Features and Battery It is fairly durable for day-to-day usage, thanks to the basic water and dust resistance provided by IP4X and IPX2 ratings. The 4,300mAh battery guarantees decent longevity, but specific details on charging speeds remain under wraps. Nubia also brings AI capabilities on the Flip 2 with features like a real-time call translator, call transcription, and a customizable voice assistant that boost its functionality further. Pricing and Availability Currently, the Nubia Flip 2 is only available in Japan for ¥64,080, which translates to approximately $410. If it were to ever come to other regions, it would be priced slightly different, but still the most unprecedented value for a foldable phone. A Gateway to Foldable Phones The Nubia Flip 2 is not positioned to compete with flagship foldables such as the Galaxy Z Flip 5 or Moto Razr+. It’s an entry-point device for people wanting to join the foldable phone market, and for less than $500, it does bring solid performance, stylish design, and some pretty useful features. Conclusion: The Nubia Flip 2 carries forward the brand’s tradition of democratizing foldable technology by offering impressive value at a price that’s hard to beat. Source
Nintendo Switch 2 Officially Announced!!!
After months of speculation, Nintendo has dropped the official Switch 2 announcement with a new trailer. A whole new era for the console has begun. Here’s everything we know so far. New Features Shown in the Trailer The trailer shows some of what the Switch 2 has in store. The new console takes the original Switch and adds to it by: Bigger Screen: A bigger screen for a better gaming experience. Redesigned Joy-Con: The Joy-Con have been redesigned but not much is known about the features. Backward Compatibility: The console will support physical and digital games from the original Switch library but not all games will be compatible which may be a concern for long time fans. It also showed what looked to be a new Mario Kart game but no official confirmation or additional game info was given. Release Window and Future Announcements The trailer did confirm the Switch 2 will launch in 2025 but no specific date. The wait won’t be long though since Nintendo has announced a Nintendo Direct for the new system on April 2, 2025. Global Hands-On Events After the announcement, Nintendo will be hosting hands-on events in select cities around the world where players can try out the new handheld before it launches. Cities: 1.North America 2.New York 3.Los Angeles 4.Dallas 5.Toronto 6.Europe 7.Paris 8.London 9.Milan 10.Berlin 11.Madrid 12.Amsterdam 13.Asia and Oceania 14.Tokyo 15.Seoul 16.Hong Kong 17.Taipei 18.Melbourne Registration opens January 17, 2025 and Nintendo account is required to attend. What’s Next for the Switch 2? The Switch 2 is launching globally later this year. What do you want to hear about-specs, exclusive games, how it will improve upon the original? There is much more to come. April’s Nintendo Direct should answer many of these questions. For now, Switch 2 is looking like the hottest gaming handheld of 2025.
Nintendo Switch 2: Computing Power Revealed Through Leaks
Data mining has potentially uncovered some key details about the Nintendo Switch 2’s computing power and GPU performance. It looks like the new console will have a balance of handheld convenience and docked power to stay relevant in the ever changing gaming landscape. Leaked GPU Performance According to Zachy at Famiboards, the Nintendo Switch 2 will have separate GPU clock speeds for handheld and docked modes. 561 MHz in handheld mode which is 1.71 TFLOPS. 1000 MHz in docked mode which is 3.1 TFLOPS. Its not as powerful as high end desktop GPUs like NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 3060 at 12 TFLOPS, but this isnt even a fair comparison as the RTX 3060 is a desktop GPU. A more relevant comparison would be to the Xbox Series S at 4 TFLOPS. It’s slightly less powerful but for developers the Switch 2 performance is close enough to use Xbox Series S configurations as a baseline for porting games. Hardware Specs and Benefits The Switch 2 is said to use NVIDIA’s Tegra 239 system-on-chip (SoC) which has an 8 core CPU and a GPU based on NVIDIA’s Ampere architecture with 2048 CUDA cores. This brings some big improvements especially in modern rendering capabilities. One big plus over the Xbox Series S is the claimed implementation of NVIDIA’s DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) Super Resolution and Ray Reconstruction on the Nintendo Switch 2. Ray tracing might not be used much since the GPU is not strong enough but DLSS will boost performance in games by upscaling low res graphics to higher res. This will give a more responsive gaming experience by saving system resources. Backward Compatibility and Release Date Another big plus of the Nintendo Switch 2 is its backward compatibility with the current Nintendo Switch library. This will give the new console instant access to a huge library of games so existing users can easily switch. Nintendo will release more info by the end of March 2025 which is at the end of their fiscal year. With leaks and rumors coming out daily the anticipation is building for an official announcement. 1 A Bright Future for the Nintendo Switch 2 The Nintendo Switch 2 is the bridge between portability and power. Maybe not as powerful as the Xbox Series S. But with a few features and DLSS support there’s hope for gamers around the world; so the world waits for Nintendo’s next move. Source Images: @91Mobiles
Intel Shows Off Next-Gen Modular Gaming Handheld
Modular has been a tech enthusiast’s dream for years because it promises to make upgrading and fixing things easier. The concept has never really taken off in practice. Maybe things will change as Intel takes the stage with its modular products at the “Innovation Showcase”. According to The Verge, Intel’s latest effort has a swappable component gaming handheld that has rekindled interest in modular tech. Intel’s Gaming Handheld: A Closer Look Details are scarce but from the leaked images sent to The Verge it looks like a sleek metallic handheld with a 7 inch Full HD display. The screen is swappable and attached via 3 separate connectors. This kind of modularity means customization options like different specifications of screens but that’s just speculation for now. The design looks futuristic and user friendly and promises flexibility for gamers who want a custom experience. Unlike previous modular devices like the AYANEO 3 which only allowed users to swap controller designs, Intel’s concept means a more comprehensive approach to modularity and potentially redefining how gaming handhelds are designed. Expanding Modular Innovation: Beyond Handhelds But Intel’s interest in modularity doesn’t stop at gaming handhelds. At the same showcase they demoed a “Lunar Lake” modular laptop, a product of its previously introduced “Compute Card” idea. This laptop has a motorized hinge that opens and closes the lid on its own, eye-tracking and a rather unusual “ring-based” mouse. It also has a Qi wireless charging pad in the palm rest-a feature that’s new and aimed at convenience. These modular devices developed with Quanta-a leading Taiwanese hardware manufacturer-show Intel’s willingness to innovate. Quanta has years of experience in AI and advanced hardware development so these designs are instantly credible. The AI8A Branding The “AI8A” branding was on the modular products at the event but what that means is anyone’s guess. Is this a new product line or a concept? Nobody knows. Whatever it is it shows Intel’s intention to lead in modular tech. The Road Ahead for Modular Devices While these are just prototypes, Intel hasn’t confirmed if these will hit consumer markets but the excitement around them shows there’s a growing appetite for innovation in the tech industry. Modular tech is one of the most promising ways for customization and sustainability especially in gaming handhelds where personalization and performance is at the core of the device. Conclusion Intel’s foray into modular tech especially with its gaming handheld is a big step forward in consumer electronics. These are still in development but the potential to disrupt the market is huge. For gamers and tech enthusiasts who have to wait a bit longer for more info, Intel’s showcase is a reminder that the best kind of innovation is the kind that pushes the boundaries. The future of modular gaming handhelds has never looked brighter. Source & Images: The Verge
Nintendo Switch 2 Renders Show A Familiar Design With An 8.4″ Display
First Look at Nintendo Switch 2: What to Expect Though this isn’t official, the gaming world has been hyping in a big way for the Nintendo Switch 2. The official announcements and teaser ads aside, leaks have gradually started to show what might finally begin to take shape with the next-generation console. Recently, high-quality renders and a 360-degree video of the purported console were presented by 91mobiles and OnLeaks, revealing for the very first time its design and other features. Larger Size and Display The Nintendo Switch 2 is said to be much larger in size compared to its predecessors, which include the Switch OLED and the standard Switch. If leaks are to be believed, the new console will boast an 8.4-inch display-a fair increase in screen size. Although the type of panel is not yet confirmed, many believe that it will use OLED for similar reasons to when the Switch OLED was introduced. Size Comparison With Joy-Cons attached, the Switch 2 can come with an increased footprint over its predecessor models. Specifically, the device is tipped to measure around 200.5 x 116.4 x 14mm-considerably bigger than both. That should go to hold up a bigger screen and even add functionality that creates an even deeper experience. Design and Features It highlights some key new design features. Layout: Power and Volume Controls: Located on the right side. Game Card Slot:On the left, indicating backwards compatibility with existing Switch games. 3.5mm Headphone Jack: A godsend for those who prefer to use wired headsets. USB Type-C Port: Alongside the headphone jack, this is presumably a nice addition to make charging easier whether the console is in handheld or tabletop mode. Bottom and Back Improvements Docking Mechanism: A center dock with guide pins on either side to help the console go in smoothly and securely. Speakers: Openings on either side of the dock suggest better audio output. Kickstand: The U-shaped design appears to be redesigned for stability, given the Switch OLED’s improved stand fixed the weak design of the original Switch. Joy-Con Improvements The Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Cons appear to retain the layout but with a few easily noticeable changes: Larger Size: Slightly larger for a better, more ergonomic grip. New Button: Located above the ‘Home’ button on the right Joy-Con; however, its function is still just speculation. Trigger Buttons: Additional buttons alongside the ‘ZL’ and ‘ZR’ triggers, assumedly for detaching magnetic Joy-Cons. These changes confirm that Nintendo plans to make improvements to the Joy-Con experience without changing the overall iconic look and feel of it too much. Legacy of Innovation While highly innovative upon its release in 2016 for packing the power of a console into one portable body, the original Nintendo Switch finds its hegemony up for contest from handheld Windows consoles and cloud-based gaming services launched since then. Back in October, a new hardware announcement by Nintendo hinted at the Switch 2 but instead came out with an alarm clock they call “Alarmo.” Meanwhile, the audience was still pretty keen to at least hear from or have a tease on the next-gen console. Final Thoughts The Nintendo Switch 2 promises to build on the success of its predecessor with a larger screen, improved design, and backward compatibility. While fans await confirmation, the leaks and renders have already set high expectations. It’s time for Nintendo to break the silence and officially unveil what could be another game-changing device. Source
Microsoft Gaming Handheld Will Be The Best Of Xbox And Windows Together
When Microsoft jumped into the portable gaming space the gaming world went wild. At CES 2025 they gave us a sneak peek into the long awaited Xbox handheld-a device that combines console and PC gaming. Xbox Handheld: A Look into the Future So when Jason Ronald, VP of Xbox Gaming Devices and Ecosystem-and the architect of the Xbox One X and Xbox Series S|X-said this on stage about the upcoming Xbox handheld: this thing is going to be the best way to keep playing PC gaming-pretty much the ultimate portable gaming console from anywhere. Or at least that’s what’s going to be another big change in this ever changing world of gaming. He didn’t give a date on that but he said more info later this year so fans are hyped. A Long-Awaited Project A Microsoft gaming handheld has been rumored for years. Speculation grew when the Head of Gaming for Microsoft, Phil Spencer, said recently that his company was interested in portable gaming. *But he clarified that the project is still in early stages and “a few years” away. Given the timelines, many insiders think the Xbox handheld will be out in late 2026. That also lines up with the rumors of a new Xbox home console coming out then. Competition in the Gaming Handheld Market That’s after several new handhelds with AMD’s Ryzen Z2 processor have been announced. The Valve Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally just dropped and now Microsoft is joining the party with a serious attempt to carve a big slice of the growing handheld gaming market. The Xbox handheld will tap into Microsoft’s vast ecosystem with features like Xbox Game Pass, cloud gaming and PC gaming. That’s a smart play to make the device competitive in a crowded market. But until more is said we’re excited. This could be another case where Microsoft raises the bar in portable gaming and puts high tech into user friendly design. What’s Next? More info by the end of the year and 2025 will be the big test of Microsoft’s handheld ambitions. For now we can only speculate on what this thing might bring. Microsoft is going big into the handheld gaming space. The release is years away but the rumored Xbox handheld has already got gamers hyped. As the gaming landscape shifts a Microsoft handheld would not only change how we play our existing games but maybe even create new ones. “We’ve been really innovating for a long time in the console space, and as we partner across the industry it’s really about how do we bring those innovations that we’ve incubated and developed in the console space and bring them to PC and bring them to the handheld gaming space. I would say it’s bringing the best of Xbox and Windows together,because we have spent the last 20 years building a world-class operating system, but it’s really locked to the console. What we’re doing is we’re really focused on how do we bring those experiences for both players and developers to the broader Windows ecosystem. We’re focused on really simplifying that and making it much more like a console experience. Our goal is to put the player and their library at the center of the experience and not all the Windows work that you have to do today.” Source
Latest Nintendo Switch 2 Leak: New Dock Details Revealed
Partial Image of the Dock Shows Up Online The rumors of the Nintendo Switch 2 continue to go around, and it seems another leak has just cropped up. The partial image of the console’s dock has popped up online, detailing some crucial features about the console that will supposedly release. This leak comes from Laura Kate Dale, who shared this image today. The picture shows input and output voltage specifications, while other details were blurred out for reasons of securing the identity of a trusted source providing the leak. One of the more interesting pieces of information is that the Nintendo Switch 2 will include a 60W charger that is specifically made for use with the dock. This would imply that charging cables designed to work with the current Nintendo Switch will not work with the new system while it’s docked-a surefire sign that a change in hardware design is occurring. Leaks Continue to Reveal Major Hardware Features Leaks surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2 have been relentless in recent weeks, with most aspects of the console being exposed well ahead of its announcement. So far, images showing off the design of the system, motherboard, dock, and even its new Joy-Con controllers have surfaced. The Joy-Con controllers are a bit more interesting, though, with rumors that they can double as a PC mouse to cement Nintendo’s innovative drive. Images of the motherboard meanwhile have confirmed that the console will indeed feature a T239 chip from Samsung. The exact process node is currently unknown, but analysts feel that an 8nm SoC feels more likely due to how complex an architecture NVIDIA Ampere would be to work with on other nodes. What’s Left to Be Discovered? Given the fact that so much has already been leaked, the only major thing left to be revealed about the Nintendo Switch 2 is its game lineup. Many are eager to hear about what games will launch with the new system. But given the pace at which leaks have been coming out, an official reveal can’t be too far away. Official Announcement on the Horizon Although Nintendo has kept mum over the Switch 2, these last few weeks have seen more leaks, meaning it’s about time the announcement happens. Until then, leaks about the console will continue to emerge from under the woodwork. We’ll keep updating as we continue to track the latest happenings on the Nintendo Switch 2. With so many speculations doing the rounds, the official unveiling is bound to be a big event for gamers. Source
AMD Unveils Next-Gen Ryzen Z2 APUs for Gaming Handhelds
Expanding Gaming Handheld Market AMD has announced the latest in game tech with the Ryzen Z2 APU series. This next gen series is for everything from entry level to high end handheld gaming with this next step. The line up will have three models: Z2 Extreme, Z2, and Z2 Go; these are for console quality gaming in a portable form factor. Building on the Success of the Z1 Series The Ryzen Z2 APUs are the follow up to the successful Z1 series which powered some of the most popular gaming handhelds in the industry like ASUS ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go and Valve’s Steam Deck. With the Z2 series AMD is looking to further solidify its position in the portable gaming space by offering more performance, longer battery life and better software support. Features and Tech The new AMD Z2 APUs will bring console gaming to handheld form factors. Some key features of these APUs include: Extended Battery Life: These APUs are optimized for hours of unplugged gaming so you can play for longer with fewer recharges in between. Enhanced Gaming Fidelity: With the implementation of cutting edge tech like AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution you can have maximum gaming quality on smaller devices. Performance Leadership: With more hardware and software integration AMD ensures better performance than competitive solutions. This will allow handheld gamers to tackle computationally intensive gaming loads at record efficiencies so you can game on the go with more flexibility. Marketing Reach One of the main goals of AMD with the Z2 series is to increase its TAM. To do that AMD is releasing multiple variants of the Z2 APU so it can hit different price points and user needs. This will likely appeal to a wider audience from casual gamers to enthusiasts who want top tier performance in a portable form factor. Timeline and Availability The first devices with the Ryzen Z2 APUs will be available in Q1 2025 so rest assured the new generation of handheld consoles with Z2 tech will be here soon. With this AMD is redefining the benchmark for portable gaming and making it more real. Conclusion: The Next Generation of Gaming Handhelds AMD Ryzen Z2 is big for handheld gaming. Developing top end tech while taking user centric steps like more battery life and higher performance means AMD is not leaving any grass to grow around portable gaming devices. Well at least that’s the future of handheld gaming-to look so good-first devices expected early 2025. Via