Qualcomm unveils Adreno 530 GPU and Spectra ISP

The new GPU brings a 40 percent performance improvement as well as 40 percent energy consumption reduction over previous generation chip.

Arkadiusz Piasek, Published 08/12/2015

ARM

Qualcomm has finally started lifting the curtain from the upcoming and highly awaited Snapdragon 820 SoC. As an appetizer, the chipmaker has just unveiled some information about the new graphics processing unit as well as the new image signal processor that Snapdragon 820 will come outfitted with.

The Adreno 530, as the name implies, is the highest-end model of the new Adreno 5xx GPU range. Another model that we know of being in the works, is Adreno 510, which will be used in Snapdragon 618 and Snapdragon 620 chips.

Qualcomm claims that Adreno 530’s performance brings an impressive, 40 percent performance improvement over the previous generation Adreno 430 GPU. What’s more, it’s also desined to use 40 percent of energy less than its predecessor. Both improvements have been possible due to moving the Snapdragon 820 to 14 nm or 16 nm (according to various sources) FinFET production process.

With Adreno 530 on board, the Snapdragon 820 will support external 4K displays at 60 frames per second, thanks to compliance with the HDMI 2.0 standard.

Another novelty is the Spectra camera ISP (image signal processor). According to Qualcomm, it supports 14-bit sensors of up to 25 MP resolutions with 30 fps video capture at full resolution. It also comes with improved noise reduction and color reproduction, including more natural skin tones.

First devices powered by Snapragon 820 with Adreno 530 and Spectra ISP are expected to hit the market in the first half of next year with the chip itself allegedly launching in Q4 2015.