Qualcomm just announced a new chip for entry-level devices called Snapdragon 690. But, what makes it interesting is the support for sub-6GHz frequencies of 5G. Sub-6, for the uninitiated, happens to be better at coverage and scalability.
So, with the new chipset, Qualcomm seems to be democratizing 5G. Let’s have a deeper dive into the silicon specification and glance over the potential devices.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 SoC Specs
Starting off with 5G, as aforementioned, the SD690 brings Sub-6GHz 5G (the lower frequency bands). But has left out the higher Millimeter-wave (mmWave) bands, which are found with Snapdragon 765 and 865 series of chips. Moreover, SD690 can also leverage from dual-mode 5G, i.e., both SA and NSA infrastructure.
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Architecturally, this one’s based on an 8nm node with Cortex A77 design. And when compared to the 11nm based Snapdragon 675, you could expect 20% faster CPU speeds and 60% faster graphics gains.
As for features, SD690 comes with:
- 5th gen Qualcomm AI engine and Hexagon Tensor Accelerator. What this means for you is smoother real-time AR filters on Snapchat and Instagram.
- 4K HDR videography with new enhancements on the encoding front and still photos up to 192MP. Also, you could expect a faster zooming transition between ultrawide, wide, and telephoto lenses.
- Support for up to 120Hz high refresh rate FHD+ display
- Wi-Fi 6 on Qualcomm’s FastConnect 6200 system
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Lastly, you could expect…
Phones with Snapdragon 690 SoC
1. OnePlus Nord N10
OnePlus Nord N10 marks the intro of the budget Nord series in the North American market. The phone ships with Snapdragon 690 5G along with Android 11 based OxygenOS 11.
On the front, it has got a 6.49” FHD+ 90Hz LCD screen. The left cornered punch hole is home to a 16MP selfie snapper. By the back, there is a quartet comprising a 64MP leader, followed by an 8MP ultrawide, 5MP depth, and 2MP macro lens. Rest, it comes with a 4300mAh battery, 30W fast charging support, micro SD storage expansion, a 3.5mm jack, and stereo speakers.
2. LG K92
LG K92 is the Snapdragon 690 wielder which will jostle against the likes of Nord N10 in the US. It runs on Android 10 software with LG’s quirky custom UI. The phone is available in a 6GB RAM + 128GB storage configuration. You get to further expand up to 2TB via a microSD card.
The fascia is an LCD stretching 6.7in with FHD+ resolution. The central cutout houses a 16MP shooter. As for the back, a 64MP sensor leads the pack. Other constituents include a 5MP ultrawide lens, a 2MP macro lens, a 2MP depth module.
3. Sharp Aquos Sense 5G
Sharp Aquos Sense 5G has Snapdragon 690 silicon at the core. Internally, it also beds a 4570 mAh battery, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB storage. The 5G variant is said to bring Android 11 out of the box.
The frontier flaunts a 5.8-inch FHD+ IGZO display with a waterdrop notch. The camera sensor here is 8 megapixels. Flip to the rear and there sits a triple camera setup including a 12MP primary one, a 12MP 121-degree ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto unit.
4. Nokia 7.3
Nokia was one of the earliest brands to announce a Snapdragon 690 phone. The upcoming Nokia 7.3 model is said to be the SD690 bearer.
Among the list of expected specs, there’s a 6.5” FHD+ LCD panel, a 24MP front camera, 48MP quad rear cameras, and a 4000mAh battery with an 18W charger support. Also since it’s a Nokia, you should be getting a stock-ish Android software too.
Besides these, phones from brands such as TCL, Motorola, and Wingtech are expected to arrive with Snapdragon 690 5G chipset. We’ll be updating the list as new phones launch.
