Snapdragon is a family of mobile systems on a chip (SoC) from Qualcomm. It includes processor cores based on ARM architecture, Adreno graphics cores, DSP Hexagon[en] and a number of communication modules. The line is positioned as a platform for smartphones and tablets (originally - also for smartbooks).
The family consists of a number of chipsets, which are divided into two branches of series generations: S1/S2/S3/S4 and 2xx/4xx/6xx/7xx/8xx.
Generation S1 (2007) uses single-core Scorpion CPUs developed by Qualcomm based on modified Cortex-A8 architecture with up to 1 GHz or ARM11 with up to 600 MHz. The processors use a set of instructions ARMv7 and ARMv6. In addition, the S1 uses Qualcomm Adreno graphics core up to Adreno 200. Supports 720p HD-video recording and playback, a camera up to 12 megapixels, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, DDR1 memory and more. The S1 generation includes chips: QSD8650, QSD8250, MSM7627, MSM7227, MSM7625, MSM7225[2].
Generation S2 (2010) uses single-core Scorpion CPUs up to 1.9 GHz with the ARMv7 instruction set, Adreno 205 GPU, support DDR2 memory. The S2 generation includes chips: MSM8655, MSM8255, APQ8055, MSM7630, MSM7230[3].
Generation S3 (2011) contains dual-core Scorpion CPUs up to 1.7 GHz (based on ARM Cortex-A9) with ARMv7 instruction set, Adreno 220 GPU. Supports cameras up to 16 megapixels, recording and playing back video quality up to 1080p, shooting 3D. The S3 generation includes chips: MSM8660, MSM8260, APQ8060[4].
Generation S4 (2012) is represented by dual- and quad-core Qualcomm CPUs called "Krait" with the ARMv7 instruction set. S4 chips include 2 or 4 CPU Krait, Adreno 225, 305, 320 or 330 GPU, built-in multi-mode (2G/3G/4G) modem, GPS modules, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, FM and other components. Supports 3 cameras up to 20 megapixels, 1080p video recording and playback, 3D shooting. For the first time, a 28nm process is used to produce chipsets that use the ARMv7 instruction set. The S4 chipsets include the APQ8064, APQ8064T, APQ8060A, MSM8960, MSM8660A, MSM8260A, APQ8030, MSM8930, MSM8630, MSM8230, MSM8627, MSM8227, MSM8625, MSM8225. Some S4 generation processors use Cortex-A5 CPUs manufactured using 45 nm technology instead of "Krait" CPUs[5].
In January 2013, Qualcomm proposed a new classification of its products: Snapdragon 200, 400, 600, 700 and 800. These series included both current products, as well as new products that are about to be released
The first cell phone to use the Snapdragon chipset was the Toshiba TG01. Also using it Acer S200 and HTC HD2 phones went on sale in November 2009.
In June 2009 was presented netbook built on the Snapdragon ASUS Eee PC with the Android operating system. Subsequently, it was announced that ASUS has refused to release this model.
Publications in 2007 noted the similarity of the processor core used in Snapdragon Scorpion with the Cortex-A8.
QSD8x50 chipsets were released in late 2008, the QSD8672 release was planned for the second half of 2009 but was postponed. Devices on the QSD8x50 chipsets are capable of decoding (playing) 720p video. Devices on the QSD8672 chipset were claimed to be capable of decoding 1080p video. In addition, devices built on the QSD8672 chipset showed the best performance at that time for 3D graphics.
In 2018, the 7xx lineup was introduced to fill the niche between flagship and mid-budget devices.
In 2021, the Ingenuity robotic exploration helicopter arrived on Mars aboard the Perseverance rover, the "heart" of which is a modified Snapdragon 801.
