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Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 Chipset Launched, Featuring Upgrades for Gaming and Generative AI

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Qualcomm has unveiled its latest mobile processor, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4, bringing significant upgrades to the mid-range chipset category. Designed to power affordable smartphones, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 promises improved performance, advanced gaming features, and the addition of generative AI capabilities. This new platform marks a major milestone as the first in its series to support Snapdragon Game Super Resolution for enhanced gaming experiences, along with a range of other improvements, such as enhanced low-light photography and faster 5G connectivity. The chipset is positioned to meet the growing demands of mobile users while maintaining efficiency for budget-conscious devices.

The Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 is manufactured using Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSMC) 4nm process technology, marking a shift from Qualcomm’s previous use of a 4nm node from Samsung. This transition to TSMC’s advanced process technology is expected to improve the overall performance and power efficiency of the chipset. By leveraging the latest fabrication methods, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 aims to deliver a more responsive and energy-efficient experience for users.

Under the hood, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 is powered by ARMv9-based CPU cores, with the Cortex-A720 serving as the prime core, clocked at 2.3GHz. Additionally, the chipset features three A720 performance cores, each clocked at 2.2GHz, and four Cortex-A520 efficiency cores running at 2.3GHz. These configurations ensure that the chipset can handle demanding tasks while maintaining power efficiency. For graphics, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 is equipped with the Adreno GPU, which is optimized for smooth gaming and media experiences. The platform also includes the Qualcomm Hexagon NPU, which is dedicated to AI processing and enables the use of generative AI applications on affordable smartphones.

The inclusion of Snapdragon Game Super Resolution (GSR) brings upscaled gaming visuals to a new level, enhancing the gaming experience on devices powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4. The chipset also improves wireless audio sharing via Bluetooth, offering higher quality sound with less latency. Additionally, it offers faster 5G connectivity across more global networks, ensuring that users can take full advantage of next-generation mobile networks. With these upgrades, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 is set to provide an optimized mobile experience for both gaming enthusiasts and users who rely on AI-powered features.

Qualcomm Shares Fall on Downbeat Forecast for Licensing Business

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Qualcomm’s (QCOM.O) shares dropped by around 5% in early trading on Thursday following a disappointing forecast for its patent licensing business, despite strong expectations for quarterly sales and profits. The chipmaker revealed that its licensing business, which contributed 14.8% to its total revenue in the reported quarter, would experience no sales growth this year due to the expiration of its agreement with Huawei Technologies (HWT.UL).

TD Cowen analysts had initially expected the removal of Huawei’s royalty payments to have a mild impact, but they noted that the development adds to the “wall of worry” surrounding Qualcomm’s stock. However, analysts pointed out that Qualcomm has secured licensing agreements with two other Chinese smartphone manufacturers, which may help mitigate some of the losses.

The company’s first-quarter performance exceeded expectations, driven by strong demand for AI features in mobile devices, and is often seen as a barometer for broader smartphone industry trends. Qualcomm’s second-quarter sales forecast of $10.75 billion, with adjusted profits of $2.80 per share, surpassed analysts’ estimates of $10.34 billion and $2.69 per share, respectively, as reported by LSEG data.

While Qualcomm credited growth in its smartphone division to strong sales from China, powered by government subsidies and flagship smartphone launches, it also highlighted positive performance across other business segments, including handsets, autos, and IoT.

Despite gains in 2024, Qualcomm’s stock has underperformed AI chip leader Nvidia (NVDA.O), whose shares surged by 171%. Qualcomm’s stock has increased by 6% this year, far surpassing the losses seen by competitors like Intel (INTC.O), which saw a 60% decline, and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD.O), which dropped by 18%.

As a result of the company’s outlook, Qualcomm’s median price target decreased slightly to $192, down from $199 prior to the report, according to LSEG data. The company’s forward price-to-earnings ratio stands at 15.02, significantly lower than Nvidia’s 27.64 and Intel’s 32.21.

 

Arm Lowers Full-Year Forecast, Shares Fall 6%

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Arm Holdings has revised its full-year revenue guidance downward, announcing that it will no longer meet the top end of its previous forecast. The chip technology provider, which has benefitted from the AI boom, reported a slight miss on its broader revenue expectations, sending its shares down by about 6% in extended trading.

Arm narrowed its revenue guidance for the full year to a range of $3.94 billion to $4.04 billion, down from the previous range of $3.8 billion to $4.1 billion. The company also adjusted its earnings per share forecast. Despite this, the company surpassed Wall Street’s expectations for the current quarter, with a forecast of $1.23 billion in revenue for the fiscal fourth quarter, compared to an analyst estimate of $1.22 billion.

CEO Rene Haas explained that the downward revision was due to the company being near the end of its fiscal year, providing more visibility on its final figures. Investors had been hoping for a more optimistic outlook, particularly with Arm’s technology being adopted for AI server chips and the increasing use of its higher royalty rate Armv9 design for smartphones.

Arm’s third-quarter revenue rose by 19% to $983 million, exceeding analysts’ expectations. The company continues to benefit from its widespread use in smartphones, including Apple’s latest iPhone, where its Armv9 chips are used. However, Arm faces challenges as it attempts to compete with its largest customers by raising prices and increasing royalties. Recently, the company encountered a setback in its attempt to secure higher royalties from Qualcomm, with the dispute culminating in a court case.

Arm’s participation in the U.S. government’s $500-billion AI infrastructure venture, Stargate, highlights its significance in the AI space. However, the company’s strained relationship with major customers like Qualcomm remains a challenge as it seeks to grow in new markets such as data centers.