Qualcomm is manufacturing its next-generation mobile processor, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, in a partnership with Samsung, the companies just announced. Seeing both rivals coming together is unprecedented as is.
This is due to the fact that the two are increasingly rivals when it comes to chips for smartphones and tablets, but Qualcomm said it chose Samsung to produce the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 in part because the Korean tech giant is the first to offer 10nm chip fabrication. Although Samsung uses Snapdragon processors in some of its devices, including the flagship Samsung Galaxy S7 for its US release, it is also well-known for making its own Exynos-series mobile chips.
"This collaboration is an important milestone for our foundry business as it signifies confidence in Samsung's leading chip process technology," Samsung's Chip Foundry Head, Jong Shik Yoon, said.
In using the 10nm fabrication process, mobile chips are able to deliver either 27% higher performance or 40% lower power consumption. Qualcomm said its newest Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 is in production now and expected to ship in commercial devices in the first half of 2017.
Qualcomm also revealed the next generation entry for its Qualcomm Quick Charge technology that is to be used for smartphones and tablets, one week after Google strongly encouraged Android manufacturers to ditch Quick Charge and other similar technologies over compatibility concerns.
Quick Charge 4 will be 20% faster at charging devices and includes new protections against battery overcharging. It will start to show up in consumer devices in early 2017, Qualcomm shared.
Last week, Google criticised third-party charging technologies for modifying the voltages of Android-powered devices beyond default levels, explaining that they may interfere with its own USB Type-C quick charging technology.
Google's USB Type-C specification requires between 4.45- and 5.25V, while Qualcomm Quick Charge typically uses 9- or 12V. Qualcomm also revealed how its new power-management controllers used in the Quick Charge 4 are compatible with any high-voltage power source, including USB Type-C.
There are more than 100 Quick Charge-compatible mobile devices and more than 300 unique accessory products such as wall and car adapters, battery packs, and docking stations. In total, Qualcomm revealed that over 600 million mobile devices and accessories support Quick Charge technology.
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For most devices, Quick Charge 4 will provide up to 50% battery charge in 15 minutes or less. By comparison, Google's own fast charging on the Google Pixel XL lets recharges up to 35% in 30 minutes, and fully in 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Qualcomm did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Google's advice to manufacturers to stop using Quick Charge and other third-party charging technology.
In April, it issued a statement that said it has "received no reports of user experience or device malfunction issues with or without USB Type-C connectors."