A few months back, it was reported that Qualcomm has a handheld console similar to the Nintendo Switch in development, and it was also mentioned that the console will support 5G via a Snapdragon X55 modem. Now, new info has come in front of us that says the device won’t have a 5G modem.
Roland Quandt claims, Qualcomm‘s upcoming handheld game console will not have a 4G or 5G modem as it uses the APQ8350 (Application Processor) chipset and not the SM8350 (Snapdragon 888 Mobile Platform).
We do not know if this has always been the case from the beginning of Qualcomm remade its decision and decided to not accommodate a modem. There is also a chance that Qualcomm may be experimenting with two versions of these devices which means the first report may not be wrong but another version of the same device with a modem. The APQ8350 should have an identical architecture to the SM8350 conserve for a modem, though it will have a Wi-Fi module for connectivity.
So far, we know the Qualcomm gaming console will have separable controllers, a 6000mAh battery with support for Quick Charge, a USB-C port, and support for display output. It will run Android 12 out of the box and also have the Epic Game Store pre-installed.
While having a modem will be a nice thing, we can’t rule out that mobile connection will surely have a crucial impact on battery life. The Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite both connect via Wi-Fi and manage to have a battery life of between 4.5 to 9 hours and 3 to 7 hours respectively relying on usage. If Qualcomm’s priority is its device having longer battery life, then it is understandable as to why it is not including a modem in the device.
Assuming that the device is not expected to launch until another year, there is a chance that some of these features may change as progress goes on. Nonetheless, we are eager to see what Qualcomm has in store for mobile gamers.
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