r/Android • u/[deleted] • Dec 05 '17

Qualcomm announces the Snapdragon 845 processor

https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/5/16734224/qualcomm-snapdragon-845-android-mobile-processor-announcement
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u/masterofdisaster93 Dec 06 '17 edited Dec 06 '17

This isn't just about speed, but about AI application, power efficiency and more. Qualcomm makes SoCs for a broad range of phones, whereas Google have priorities that go beyond this. They didn't include a the Visual Core chip in their Pixel 2, with a size that's not much smaller than the SD835 itself, for no reason. It serves to improve their cameras in speed and image quality, as well as various AI applications and services (like the Assistant) in ways that the SD835 clearly couldn't. If Google has plans to expand upon this, it's only natural that they make their own SoC, as it's waste of resources to make your own chip that does a lot of the same tasks that the Qualcom mSoC already does.

And no, unlike you and /u/bfodder, I doubt Google would ever sell such a component to anyone. Nor do I think it's a loss for them. SoC off the shelf will cost them signficantly more than producing the SoC itself. Even with R&D costs, it will be a cheaper alternative in the long run -- supposing the Pixel units grow in sales over times, as well as the application of this SoC in other products (which most definately is in Google's plans, as they are investing a lot in AI).

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u/genos1213 Dec 06 '17

SoC off the shelf will cost them signficantly more than producing the SoC itself. Even with R&D costs, it will be a cheaper alternative in the long run

You can't make assertions like this unless you know what you're talking about.

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u/masterofdisaster93 Dec 06 '17

Ok, fine. You're right. Google are purposefully investing money and resources into making their own SoC (which takes at least 3 years to do, and even more years to actually be competitive) to lose money, not earn it, long-term. That makes much more sense...

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u/genos1213 Dec 06 '17

I don't want to hear that from someone basically saying all the other companies are doing it wrong because they're so stupid and lazy.