Qualcomm Technologies Announces World's First Commercial 64-bit Octa-Core Chipset with Integrated 5 Mode Global LTE

BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., has added the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 610 and 615 chipsets to the Snapdragon 600 tier for high-end mobile computing devices. Both new chipsets integrate Qualcomm Technologies' 3^rd Generation LTE modem, supporting Category 4 data rates for new requirements such as LTE-Broadcast and LTE Dual SIM Dual Active (DSDA). The Snapdragon 610 and 615 chipsets are designed to work with Qualcomm Technologies' RF360 Front End solution, enabling OEMs to ship a single 5-mode global LTE SKU across all major bands and modes worldwide – a requirement for this highly competitive handset tier. In addition to LTE support, both chipsets also integrate critical 3G technologies, including HSPA+ (up to 42Mbps), CDMA, and TD-SCDMA.

The Snapdragon 615 chipset is the mobile industry's first commercially announced octa-core solution with integrated LTE and 64-bit capabilities, while the Snapdragon 610 chipset supports LTE and 64-bit capabilities using quad-core processing. With the launch of the Snapdragon 610 and 615 chipsets, and recently announced Snapdragon 410 chipset, the Qualcomm Technologies portfolio contains a compelling lineup of 4G LTE solutions with 64-bit capabilities.  The Snapdragon 615, 610 and 410 chipsets also support ARMv8, the latest instruction set for ARM compatible devices.  The ARMv8 architecture offers the most power-efficient implementation while maintaining compatibility with existing 32-bit software.  Together, the Snapdragon 615, 610, and 410 chipsets are designed to minimize OEM development costs while accelerating ramp time and adoption.  All three chipsets are pin compatible, including support of the same Qualcomm power management, audio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RF, and RF360 solutions to enable scalable, yet consistent hardware designs.  Scalability also extends to software, with identical software used across each of three chipsets, including 64-bit ARMv8 CPU support.  Additionally, each chipset integrates an identical LTE modem, utilizing the same core technology that has already shipped in hundreds of millions of prior chipsets used in handsets and certified by operators across the globe.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 610 and 615 chipsets also feature Qualcomm Technologies' Adreno™ 405 GPU, bringing an Adreno 400 series GPU from the Snapdragon 800 premium tier to the Snapdragon 600 high-end tier for the first time. The Adreno 405 GPU distinguishes itself by not only enabling superior graphics performance, but also in supporting the latest mobile graphics APIs like DirectX 11.2 and Open GL ES3.0 with added support of hardware accelerated geometry shading and hardware tessellation for more detailed, realistic mobile games and visually stunning user interfaces. The Adreno 405 also supports Full Profile Open CL for superior GPGPU compute, video and image processing.   The display engine supports up to Quad High Definition (2560x1600) displays and offers Miracast support for wireless streaming of multimedia content.  Wireless content can be sent with high efficiency through the use of the embedded H.265 hardware decoder and integrated Qualcomm^® VIVE™ 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.1 solutions.

"Qualcomm Technologies is redefining the user experience for high-end mobile devices by amassing the unparalleled trilogy of an industry-leading LTE modem, 64-bit multicore processing, and superior multimedia," said Murthy Renduchintala, executive vice president, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., and co-president, QCT. "64-bit processing capabilities are now an industry requirement for this tier, and we are meeting our customers' needs with both octa- and quad-core configurations, as well as bringing our superior Adreno 405 graphics and powerful suite of connectivity technologies to the Snapdragon 600 family of chipsets."

Qualcomm Technologies anticipates releasing a Qualcomm Reference Design (QRD) version of the Snapdragon 610 and 615 processors, expanding the broad QRD portfolio of Snapdragon 200 and 400 processors to support a new family of devices. The QRD program offers Qualcomm Technologies' leading technical innovations, differentiated hardware and software, easy customization options that enable customers to save engineering costs and development time, access to an ecosystem of hardware and software providers, and testing and acceptance readiness for regional and leading operator requirements. This allows for OEMs to rapidly deliver differentiated, high-end smartphones to value-conscious consumers. The QRD versions of Snapdragon 610 and 615 chipsets are expected to be available in the fourth quarter of 2014.

The Snapdragon 610 and 615 processors are anticipated to begin sampling in the third quarter of 2014 and the first commercial devices are expected in the fourth quarter of 2014. For more information about these new products as well as the newest devices powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets, please visit Qualcomm during MWC 2014 (Exhibit Hall 3, Exhibit # E310), Feb, 24 -27 in Barcelona, or visit www.qualcomm.com/snapdragon.

Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including Qualcomm Technologies' ability to successfully design and have manufactured significant quantities of Qualcomm Snapdragon 610 and Snapdragon 615 processors on a timely and profitable basis, the extent and speed to which the Snapdragon platform is adopted, the timely release of the Qualcomm Reference Design version of the Snapdragon 610 and 615 processors, the extent and speed by which 4G LTE is adopted and rolled-out in various regions, the extent of the demand for 64-bit processing capabilities, the anticipated launch date of the first commercial devices incorporating the Snapdragon 610 and 615 processors, change in economic conditions of the various markets Qualcomm Technologies serves, as well as the other risks detailed from time to time in Qualcomm Incorporated's SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2013, and most recent Form 10-Q.  Qualcomm Incorporated undertakes no obligation to update, or continue to provide information with respect to, any forward-looking statement or risk factor, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise."

About Qualcomm Incorporated
Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) is a world leader in 3G, 4G and next-generation wireless technologies. Qualcomm Incorporated includes Qualcomm's licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of its patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, substantially all of Qualcomm's engineering, research and development functions, and substantially all of its products and services businesses, including its semiconductor business, QCT. For more than 25 years, Qualcomm ideas and inventions have driven the evolution of digital communications, linking people everywhere more closely to information, entertainment and each other. For more information, visit Qualcomm's website, OnQ blog, Twitter and Facebook pages.

Qualcomm Contacts:
Tina Asmar, Corporate Communications
Phone: 1-858-845-5959
Email: [email protected]

Warren Kneeshaw, Investor Relations
Phone: 1-858-658-4813
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Qualcomm Incorporated