In a groundbreaking move, Qualcomm has unveiled a brand new line of chips specifically designed for gaming handheld devices. Among them, the Qualcomm Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 stands out as a powerhouse, claiming to be more than twice as fast as its predecessor. But can it really compete with the Steam Deck and AMD’s impressive Phoenix APU, as seen in devices like the Asus ROG Ally?
The Trio of Snapdragon Gaming Chips
The new Snapdragon gaming chip range introduces three models: the G1, G2, and the flagship G3x Gen 2. The G1 is tailored for ultra-low power, making it ideal for supporting game streaming on handheld devices. Meanwhile, the G2 performs at a mid-tier level, similar to a standard smartphone processor.
Unpacking the Power of G3x Gen 2
Now, let’s focus on the star of the show, the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2. But does it live up to the hype? How does it compare to its competitors like the AMD Aerith APU in the Steam Deck or the potent AMD Phoenix chip in the Asus ROG Ally?
A Battle of Architectures and OS Platforms
Comparing these devices becomes a complex task due to their varying architectures and operating systems. The G3x Gen 2 features an eight-core ARM CPU and consumes around 15 to 18 watts, positioning it closer to the Steam Deck in terms of power consumption. Its Adreno A32 GPU is reported to be more than twice as fast as the previous G3x Gen 1, found in devices like the Razer Edge. However, it’s designed primarily for game streaming, rather than running demanding AAA games locally.
Prioritizing Battery Life Over Raw Power
Qualcomm’s gaming director, Mithun Chandrasekhar, emphasized the chip’s focus on battery life over pure performance. This sets it apart from the latest AMD Phoenix-powered handhelds, which struggle with limited battery life, especially during demanding gaming sessions.
Qualcomm’s Reference Handheld Design
Qualcomm has also presented a reference handheld design built around the G3x Gen 2 chip, aiming to rival the Steam Deck. It features a 6.8-inch 1080p-plus OLED display running at an impressive 144Hz, 12GB of DDR5 RAM, and support for PCIe 4.0-spec SSD storage. It’s far from being a mere smartphone.
The Software Challenge
However, the real challenge for Qualcomm lies in software and game support. High-end games on Android are scarce, raising questions about Qualcomm’s plans for a transcoding platform that could enable Windows games to run on the chip, similar to Valve’s Proton and Apple’s Game Porting Toolkit. The answer is a promising “yes,” but details are yet to be revealed.
Conclusion – A Challenger on the Horizon
In conclusion, the new Qualcomm Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 chip, while impressive, may not immediately pose a threat to the Steam Deck or the Asus ROG Ally in terms of pure performance. It seems to target a performance level similar to the Steam Deck, leaving limited room for running non-native x86 Windows software in compatibility mode. As for the future of portable PC gaming, these Qualcomm chips might not have a significant impact, but they certainly make a compelling case for the gaming world to watch.