Qualcomm Announces its First 64-bit CPU For Cheap Smartphones

Qualcomm has announced that it will be producing a new version of the snapdragon processor that will support the new advanced computing architecture.

This move follows in the footsteps of Apple and Intel, who have already developed 64-bit CPUs. Apple’s is used in the iPhone 5S’s A7 processor and Intel is preparing its Bay Trail 64-bit architecture for Android smartphones and tablets.

Now Qualcomm’s very own Snapdragon 410 will also support a 64-bit CPU. However, these new chips are intended for use in lower-end smartphones, like cheaper Android phones. This may seem odd because the 64-bit architecture was designed to support high-end features like RAM beyond 4GB.

Nowadays the lower-end and mid-range phones are also supporting features, which previously were only found in high-end devices.

So far Google hasn’t made any announcements about supporting 64-bit computing for Android and Qualcomm don’t plan to ship the new chips until the second half of next year, so there is ample time for the 64-bit architecture to be rolled out across the whole of the Snapdragon line, whilst allowing the mobile industry the time to prepare for its arrival.

[Image via Xataandroid]

SOURCE: http://gigaom.com/2013/12/09/qualcomms-first-64-bit-cpu-targets-lower-end-smartphones/