Key Takeaways
1. Qualcomm is committed to the Snapdragon brand despite a rough start with AI-ready laptops last year.
2. The new Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 series is specifically designed for handheld gaming consoles.
3. The G3 Gen 3 series offers a 30% performance boost over the previous G3 Gen 2 and includes features like hardware-accelerated ray tracing.
4. Ayaneo will be one of the first to use the new Snapdragon SoC in its upcoming consoles, the Pocket S2 and Gaming Pad.
5. The OneXSugar Sugar1 will also debut soon, featuring a detachable second screen and a design similar to the Nintendo DS.
Qualcomm had a rough beginning last year with its AI-ready Snapdragon laptops, but they aren’t backing down from the Snapdragon brand. At this year’s GDC, the company announced the launch of the Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 series, along with several new handheld devices that will use this latest technology.
New Series for Handheld Gaming
The Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 series is different from other Snapdragon series like the 8, X, Elite, or XR2 because it is made specifically for handheld gaming consoles. This new series improves on the Snapdragon G3 Gen 2, which is already used in devices like the Ayaneo Pocket S, boasting a 30 percent performance boost and features like hardware-accelerated ray tracing and upscaling.
Exciting New Devices
Ayaneo will be among the first to adopt the new Snapdragon SoC in its upcoming consoles, the Pocket S2 and Gaming Pad, set to release in March and May, respectively. Soon after, the OneXSugar Sugar1 will make its debut, featuring a unique detachable second screen and a design reminiscent of the Nintendo DS.
Qualcomm’s push into the handheld gaming market seems promising, and many will be watching closely to see how these new devices perform.
