Ask Me Anything - Official Qualcomm Representatives

[8350rocks]

Evidently my first question didn't get much love, though I have another one:

As the ever increasing demand for mobile broadband bandwidth increases for consumers on portable devices, what innovations is Qualcomm looking toward in order to continue to increase mobile device bandwidth on it's current astronomical trajectory toward massive amounts of data transfer?

Additionally, in regards to the venture into windows phone compatible hardware, was that hardware actually x86 CISC hardware, or was the software adapted to run on ARM architecture? Do you see yourselves entering into competitive x86-64 space in the future?

 

[SNA3]

Hi,

I understand that your Snapdragon 800 works at 5Watt TDP ? I read some where (correct me if I am wrong , and please put the TDP specs in your site

the point here is , this Chip is 2.3 GHz Quad-core Krait 400 , and my Question is , why dont you release which each Generation a minimum clock of the cpu possible ? with the lowest TDP possible ?

if this thing runs at 5Watts , then a 800mhz quad core should work well below 2 watts?

I guess android does not need more than 800mhz in quad cores if the programmers optimize it for 4 cores. and more over this woud give us double the battery life and less heat ?

pleae make such a thing happen , I hate the warm phone , and I want a small 4 ich phone with 24 hours usage !

you should allways make a low voltage lower frequency model of your CPU ... If I want 2.2ghz Quad I would buy a tablet to take advantage of the 4 cores. and for gaming and etc.

but for a phone ? give me COLD phone with 24 hours usage.

and a second thing ...

2- is it possible by today standard to make a chip that can be powered by solar cells only ? and at what frequencey and how many cores?

third ,

3- Can you please invade the Desktop market we have windows 8 RT now , and I want to see ARM replace X86 .. and for missing power , make multi CPU Sockets motherboards ... like 4/2 ARM chips per motherboard ... 16 cores at 2.3 ghz

 

[hotice]

One advantage of many newer phones with Qualcomm chipsets is the integration of the radios, keeping all the essential electronics small (28nm) and close to each other. Are all current (S4 Pro, 600, 800) Snapdragons like this or do some have separate, non-integrated radio's. From some of the information I've seen it looks like some of the phones do not have the radio's integrated. If the radio's are not integrated, do they at least use a seperate Qualcomm 28nm radio so it's still low power?

 

[jpishgar]

Some more from the hive-mind that is our social media channels:

Would you be able to share with us the process on how the Snapdragon SoCs are selected by OEMs for their smartphones and tablets? Is it a competitive process where the best chip wins?

I caught the DTS theatre demo at CES this year. It was certainly impressive, but I don't see myself using my tablet as the centre of my entertainment system. What else has to change about the industry before a high-end SoC is viewed as a viable replacement for a home theatre setup?

 

[hotice]

Some more from the hive-mind that is our social media channels:
I caught the DTS theatre demo at CES this year. It was certainly impressive, but I don't see myself using my tablet as the centre of my entertainment system. What else has to change about the industry before a high-end SoC is viewed as a viable replacement for a home theatre setup?

I think this makes a lot of sense. I hook up my Maxx HD to the TV using MicroHDMI (which I think all Android devices should have). This would allow high-def video and multi-channel audio. Also, I have a cordless USB mouse I use via a MicroUSB adapter to control it when connected. While this may not be as practical with a phone I can see someone doing this with an Android tablet to watch video and other content on a regular basis. Especially if they have a tablet with an HDMI dock that provides power too. I'm really not sure anything would have to change my dual core 1.5GHz S4 Plus handles media very well and the Snapdragon 800 does 4k. I don't think my Maxx HD supports more than two channels but I wouldn't be surprised if the chipset itself is capable of that.

 

[Michelle Leyden Li]

What does your new Krait 400 architecture bring to the table over designs like ARM's Cortex-A15 and Apple's Swift?

Our Krait 400 is our latest custom-built CPU architecture that can be clocked up to 2.3GHz and fabricated on a 28nm Hpm process node. Our strategy encompasses the CPU but we also innovate on the other 80-85% of technology content that is critical to delivering great mobile experiences. Only Qualcomm technologies, Inc. purpose builds our own GPUs, DSPs, multimode modems, connectivity and CPUs and integrates them into balanced, high-performance, low-power systems.

 

[Michelle Leyden Li]

A couple more coming down the pike from FB/Twitter:

The issue with AnTuTu seemed to be a lack of attention to the x86 ISA. At the same time, Qualcomm has its Vellamo benchmark suite. What work went into that test to ensure Intel’s architecture is evaluated fairly, and that Qualcomm isn’t favored automatically?

How interconnected are Qualcomm SoC design teams and your OEM partners? For example, Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processors are standard for Windows Phone 8. How much involvement did Microsoft have in the development of the S4?

Vellamo includes industry and reviewer (Tom's hardware included)-recognized benchmarks in it's results. Tests are device and processor neutral. Please check out the full list here.

We work closely with all our partners on both hardware and software design and testing. OEMs can take advantage of the featured available on Qualcomm Snapdragon processors to optimize and customize their products.

 

[Michelle Leyden Li]

Evidently my first question didn't get much love, though I have another one:

As the ever increasing demand for mobile broadband bandwidth increases for consumers on portable devices, what innovations is Qualcomm looking toward in order to continue to increase mobile device bandwidth on it's current astronomical trajectory toward massive amounts of data transfer?

Additionally, in regards to the venture into windows phone compatible hardware, was that hardware actually x86 CISC hardware, or was the software adapted to run on ARM architecture? Do you see yourselves entering into competitive x86-64 space in the future?

Here's some background from the source directly for your second question around Windows Phone compatible hardware. We'll hold comment on your last question.

 

[Peter Carson]

Evidently my first question didn't get much love, though I have another one:

As the ever increasing demand for mobile broadband bandwidth increases for consumers on portable devices, what innovations is Qualcomm looking toward in order to continue to increase mobile device bandwidth on it's current astronomical trajectory toward massive amounts of data transfer?

Additionally, in regards to the venture into windows phone compatible hardware, was that hardware actually x86 CISC hardware, or was the software adapted to run on ARM architecture? Do you see yourselves entering into competitive x86-64 space in the future?

Qualcomm modems support the latest communication technologies, including the latest advancements in LTE. With the introduction of Qualcomm Snapdragon 800, Qualcomm is shipping its 3rd generation LTE modem and was first to launch LTE Advanced with Carrier Aggregation (CA), a key feature that effectively doubles data rates for typical LTE users up to a peak data rate of 150 Mbps. Technologies like CA and other LTE-A features such at heterogeneous networks will help bring the LTE experience to the next level.

 

[8350rocks]

Evidently my first question didn't get much love, though I have another one:

As the ever increasing demand for mobile broadband bandwidth increases for consumers on portable devices, what innovations is Qualcomm looking toward in order to continue to increase mobile device bandwidth on it's current astronomical trajectory toward massive amounts of data transfer?

Additionally, in regards to the venture into windows phone compatible hardware, was that hardware actually x86 CISC hardware, or was the software adapted to run on ARM architecture? Do you see yourselves entering into competitive x86-64 space in the future?

Here's some background from the source directly for your second question around Windows Phone compatible hardware. We'll hold comment on your last question.

Thanks for the response, what about my bandwidth question? I am sure you guys are cooking up some crazy data transfer technology...is there anything forthcoming?

EDIT: Scooped!! Thanks Peter for the answer!!

 

[Peter Carson]

One advantage of many newer phones with Qualcomm chipsets is the integration of the radios, keeping all the essential electronics small (28nm) and close to each other. Are all current (S4 Pro, 600, 800) Snapdragons like this or do some have separate, non-integrated radio's. From some of the information I've seen it looks like some of the phones do not have the radio's integrated. If the radio's are not integrated, do they at least use a seperate Qualcomm 28nm radio so it's still low power?

Our second and third generation LTE modems (radios) that are part of our integrated Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, such as the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Plus, Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 and 800, or used in connection with discrete Qualcomm Snapdragon processors like the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro or the Qualcomm Snapdragon 600, are all 28nm modems and have all the latest power optimizations available.

 

[Michelle Leyden Li]

The S4 Pro Quad SoC was very exciting when it was announced. It then took forever to actually get into the market in devices and only made it into a small handful of devices before being obsoleted by the new Snapdragon 600 parts. Are we going to see better OEM adoption of your parts this round - or was this an issue of Qualcomm getting parts out the door for OEMs to use in their designs? The 8960 pretty much dominated the US market for 2012 while the APQ8064 was only in a few US handsets (3 really - Nexus 4, Droid DNA, Optimus G). Should we expect to see 8960 levels of adoption for Snapdragon 600 while Snapdragon 800 is quickly replaced by the time it is shipping in any meaningful volume in devices?

Today, there are more than 850 Snapdragon devices announced/commercially available and more than 475 Snapdragon designs in development. Of the more than 475 Snapdragon-based designs in development, 200+ designs in development are using Snapdragon 600/800 processors. There also are a number of leading Snapdragon 600 based devices, such as the HTC One and LG Optimus G Pro, available today. As mentioned earlier, the first Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 device has already launched in Korea with Samsung. You will start to see more Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 devices this summer. LG and Sony have recently announced devices based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processors, so keep an eye out for those.

Keep in mind, that we have a wide range of processors for different price points and experiences that are meant to address different market segments, including low, mid and high-tier devices. For example, we are continuing to see new devices based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processors, such at the Nokia Lumia 1020.

 

[Michelle Leyden Li]

Some more from the hive-mind that is our social media channels:

Would you be able to share with us the process on how the Snapdragon SoCs are selected by OEMs for their smartphones and tablets? Is it a competitive process where the best chip wins?

I caught the DTS theatre demo at CES this year. It was certainly impressive, but I don't see myself using my tablet as the centre of my entertainment system. What else has to change about the industry before a high-end SoC is viewed as a viable replacement for a home theatre setup?

We won't comment on the OEM selection process, as that is determined by each OEM.

The theater demo shows not only the capabilities of the theater use-case but also the experience you can get from your mobile device and taking that theater-quality audio with you wherever you go on your device.

 

[Michelle Leyden Li]

My understanding is that Qualcomm quad-core processors can operate on any number of cores. If that's correct and they can operate on a single core to save power when that core is sufficient for the current does that mean your quad-core processors actually require less power, at minimum than your dual core processors? Asked another way, does your dual-core S4 Plus in the GS3 for Razr HD actually have a higher minimum power usage than your S4 Pro, Snapdragon 600, or Snapdragon 800? I'm wondering because that means a newer phone with your quad-core processor has the potential to get better battery life with the same size battery. Of course that doesn't take into consideration other factors but we'll assume the same screen and other things which I realize is unlikely.

Qualcomm Snapdragon processors leverage our Asynchronous Multi-Processing (aSMP) design. Select a task and one the four cores will snap into action. Each core can throttle up and down depending on the task. The result is increased battery efficiency and a whole lot of performance. Check out this video explaining how aSMP works.

 

[Michelle Leyden Li]

Hi,

I understand that your Snapdragon 800 works at 5Watt TDP ? I read some where (correct me if I am wrong , and please put the TDP specs in your site

the point here is , this Chip is 2.3 GHz Quad-core Krait 400 , and my Question is , why dont you release which each Generation a minimum clock of the cpu possible ? with the lowest TDP possible ?

if this thing runs at 5Watts , then a 800mhz quad core should work well below 2 watts?

I guess android does not need more than 800mhz in quad cores if the programmers optimize it for 4 cores. and more over this woud give us double the battery life and less heat ?

pleae make such a thing happen , I hate the warm phone , and I want a small 4 ich phone with 24 hours usage !

you should allways make a low voltage lower frequency model of your CPU ... If I want 2.2ghz Quad I would buy a tablet to take advantage of the 4 cores. and for gaming and etc.

but for a phone ? give me COLD phone with 24 hours usage.

and a second thing ...

2- is it possible by today standard to make a chip that can be powered by solar cells only ? and at what frequencey and how many cores?

third ,

3- Can you please invade the Desktop market we have windows 8 RT now , and I want to see ARM replace X86 .. and for missing power , make multi CPU Sockets motherboards ... like 4/2 ARM chips per motherboard ... 16 cores at 2.3 ghz

The Krait 400 is clocked “up to 2.3GHz.” That does not mean it is fixed at the max frequency. Qualcomm Snapdragon processors leverage our Asynchronous Multi-Processing (aSMP) design. Select a task and one the four cores will snap into action. Each core can throttle up and down depending on the task. The result is increased battery efficiency and a whole lot of performance. Check out this video explaining how aSMP works. This is one of the ways Snapdragon phones are designed to remain cool, check out.

I cannot comment about solar cells, but we can power phones with bugs.

 

[sna]

Hi,

I understand that your Snapdragon 800 works at 5Watt TDP ? I read some where (correct me if I am wrong , and please put the TDP specs in your site

the point here is , this Chip is 2.3 GHz Quad-core Krait 400 , and my Question is , why dont you release which each Generation a minimum clock of the cpu possible ? with the lowest TDP possible ?

if this thing runs at 5Watts , then a 800mhz quad core should work well below 2 watts?

I guess android does not need more than 800mhz in quad cores if the programmers optimize it for 4 cores. and more over this woud give us double the battery life and less heat ?

pleae make such a thing happen , I hate the warm phone , and I want a small 4 ich phone with 24 hours usage !

you should allways make a low voltage lower frequency model of your CPU ... If I want 2.2ghz Quad I would buy a tablet to take advantage of the 4 cores. and for gaming and etc.

but for a phone ? give me COLD phone with 24 hours usage.

and a second thing ...

2- is it possible by today standard to make a chip that can be powered by solar cells only ? and at what frequencey and how many cores?

third ,

3- Can you please invade the Desktop market we have windows 8 RT now , and I want to see ARM replace X86 .. and for missing power , make multi CPU Sockets motherboards ... like 4/2 ARM chips per motherboard ... 16 cores at 2.3 ghz

The Krait 400 is clocked “up to 2.3GHz.” That does not mean it is fixed at the max frequency. Qualcomm Snapdragon processors leverage our Asynchronous Multi-Processing (aSMP) design. Select a task and one the four cores will snap into action. Each core can throttle up and down depending on the task. The result is increased battery efficiency and a whole lot of performance. Check out this video explaining how aSMP works. This is one of the ways Snapdragon phones are designed to remain cool, check out.

I cannot comment about solar cells, but we can power phones with bugs.

ok another Question , if you can charge by bugs , can you charge by human movement ? it is more than bugs power .oh and chargning is another thing , you chargre the battery , not run ahe device .. I asked about powering the device using solar cells.

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Hi,

I understand that your Snapdragon 800 works at 5Watt TDP ? I read some where (correct me if I am wrong , and please put the TDP specs in your site

the point here is , this Chip is 2.3 GHz Quad-core Krait 400 , and my Question is , why dont you release which each Generation a minimum clock of the cpu possible ? with the lowest TDP possible ?

if this thing runs at 5Watts , then a 800mhz quad core should work well below 2 watts?

I guess android does not need more than 800mhz in quad cores if the programmers optimize it for 4 cores. and more over this woud give us double the battery life and less heat ?

pleae make such a thing happen , I hate the warm phone , and I want a small 4 ich phone with 24 hours usage !

you should allways make a low voltage lower frequency model of your CPU ... If I want 2.2ghz Quad I would buy a tablet to take advantage of the 4 cores. and for gaming and etc.

but for a phone ? give me COLD phone with 24 hours usage.

and a second thing ...

2- is it possible by today standard to make a chip that can be powered by solar cells only ? and at what frequencey and how many cores?

third ,

3- Can you please invade the Desktop market we have windows 8 RT now , and I want to see ARM replace X86 .. and for missing power , make multi CPU Sockets motherboards ... like 4/2 ARM chips per motherboard ... 16 cores at 2.3 ghz

The Krait 400 is clocked “up to 2.3GHz.” That does not mean it is fixed at the max frequency. Qualcomm Snapdragon processors leverage our Asynchronous Multi-Processing (aSMP) design. Select a task and one the four cores will snap into action. Each core can throttle up and down depending on the task. The result is increased battery efficiency and a whole lot of performance. Check out this video explaining how aSMP works. This is one of the ways Snapdragon phones are designed to remain cool, check out.

I cannot comment about solar cells, but we can power phones with bugs.

ok another Question , if you can charge by bugs , can you charge by human movement ? it is more than bugs power .oh and chargning is another thing , you chargre the battery , not run ahe device .. I asked about powering the device using solar cells.

Charging the battery is powering the device - if you're charging the battery faster than the device is discharging it, battery level is constant/increasing.

Or does your wall charger not power your phone?

 

[_TuxUser_]

Will we see Qualcomm to support the worlds most used operating system or will it just be that you support microsoft?

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Will we see Qualcomm to support the worlds most used operating system or will it just be that you support microsoft?

Huh? If you mean Android, that's where they likely get most of their revenue.

The version of the S4 sold in the US has a Qualcomm chip, as does the HTC One.

 

[jpishgar]

Hey there all!

As it is now been 24 hours, the "official" AMA is concluded!

Epic thanks to the Qualcomm representatives who took the time out of their schedules to come and answer all the great questions our community had for them. We know this was a lot of work on their end, and we're greatly appreciative of the time taken to engage with the community here at Tom's Hardware.

For answering so many questions, an epic thanks goes out to Peter Carson, Dan Novak and Michelle Leyden Li for the quick responses. Also, last but not least, a mega-thanks to Yelena Durmashkin at Qualcomm for helping to put this together on their end and securing the time and info required to make this happen.

As a heads-up, stay tuned to news and articles for the announcement of our next AMA which will be coming next week on Wednesday! We're on a roll with these!

Thanks again to all for making this a great success!

-JP