Qualcomm’s new Mobile Platform brings 4G connectivity to low-end feature phones

Qualcomm Technologies has introduced Qualcomm 205 Mobile Platform to enable 4G LTE for feature phones.

‘Snapdragon’ rebranded to ‘Platform’ for lower-end devices

Last week, Qualcomm Technologies rebranded its “Snapdragon” terminology by referring to Snapdragon as a “platform” instead of a processor. The company stated, “Snapdragon is more than a single component, a piece of silicon, or what many would misinterpret as the CPU; it’s an anthology of technology, comprising hardware, software, and services that are not fully captured in a word like “processor.””

The premium mobile platforms (quad-core, octa-core etc.) will retain the Snapdragon brand, while processors in the 200 tier (e.g dual core) will fall under the new Qualcomm Mobile name. The goal is to help differentiate entry-level and high-volume solutions from flagship and high-end Snapdragon premium mobile experience platforms.

The Qualcomm 205 Mobile Platform is designed primarily to bring 4G connectivity to feature phones, with the SoC featuring the X5 Category 4 LTE modem with a download speed of 150Mbps.

What is a Feature Phone?

A feature phone is a type of mobile phone that has more features than a standard cellphone but lacks the advanced functionality of a smartphone. These phones have limited processing and storage capacity and lack advanced multimedia and internet connectivity options.

Local impact of 4G

Qualcomm 205 Mobile Platform is specifically designed for developing areas like India, Latin America, and Southeast Asia (including Pakistan) that previously were unable to gain access to high-quality, consistent, and affordable mobile connectivity. It states,

“Bringing 4G and other advanced connectivity features to more people can have a profound effect on both an area’s residents and its businesses… Fast downloads and strong encryption features may result in new opportunities for small businesses and micro-entrepreneurs who can gain new ways to accept and send payments, access bank accounts, and track expenses. Multi-day battery life means a reduced need to charge, an important factor for individuals and businesses who may not always have access to a reliable power source.”

Specifications

• Dual-core CPU & Qualcomm Adreno 304 GPU
• Features support for Wi-Fi and advanced LTE data services such as Voice over LTE (VoLTE) and Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWi-Fi)
• Peak Download Speed: 150 Mbps
• Peak Upload Speed: 50 Mbps
• Up to 3 MP camera support
• Up to 480p video capture @30 FPS
• Up to 720p video playback
• Supported Cellular Technologies: WCDMA (DC-HSPA+), TD-SCDMA, GSM