Snapdragon G3, G2, G1 Chips Launch as Qualcomm Enters Gaming
Qualcomm enters handheld gaming with Snapdragon G-Series chips, targeting high-end, mid-tier, and budget devices. See how it competes with AMD.
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Qualcomm is making a strategic move into the handheld gaming sector, unveiling three new processors under its Snapdragon G-Series lineup. The company’s latest chips—Snapdragon G3 Gen 3, G2 Gen 2, and G1 Gen 2—aim to deliver varying levels of performance for different price points, positioning Qualcomm as a competitor in a market currently led by AMD.
The Snapdragon G3 Gen 3, the most powerful of the series, improves CPU performance by 30 per cent and GPU performance by 28 per cent over its predecessor. The processor features eight Kryo cores—one prime, five performance, and two efficiency cores—along with the Adreno A32 GPU. Notably, it supports Wi-Fi 7 and QHD+ 144Hz displays, enhancing gaming experiences on high-end handheld devices. Companies such as AYANEO and OneXPlayer have already begun integrating this chip into their gaming hardware.
The mid-tier Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 offers a balanced configuration, maintaining a similar core setup to the G3 but increasing the number of efficiency cores. Qualcomm claims a 2.3x CPU performance boost and a 3.8x GPU improvement over its predecessor. Wi-Fi 7 compatibility makes it an appealing option for mainstream handheld gaming devices.
For entry-level gaming and cloud-based platforms, the Snapdragon G1 Gen 2 provides two performance cores and six efficiency cores. Qualcomm designed this chip with affordability in mind, focusing on cloud gaming applications rather than high-end standalone gaming devices.
AMD has long dominated the handheld gaming segment, particularly with its Phoenix APU lineup. Qualcomm’s entry introduces new competition, raising questions about whether it will challenge AMD on performance or prioritize aggressive pricing.
Early adopters of the Snapdragon G-Series include devices such as the AYANEO Pocket S2 and OneXPlayer’s SUGAR 1, which have already incorporated Qualcomm’s latest chips. The first wave of gaming handhelds powered by the new processors is expected to launch in the coming weeks, providing insight into Qualcomm’s potential success in this market shift.
