Qualcomm is showing development devices using the MSM7x30 chip family announced by Qualcomm last November. The MSM7x30 chips use the same ARM-based Scorpion applications processor as the QSD8250/QSD8650 Snapdragon chips, while adding 5.1 channel sound and more powerful graphics capabilities, including 12 megapixel camera support and 720p high-definition (HD) video encode/decode.

Meanwhile, Qualcomm’s second-gen MSM8x55 and QSD8x50A processors are already shipping in volume to OEMs, and are slated to appear in devices released by the end of this year, according to Kira Golin, a Qualcomm spokesperson. The QSD8x50A reportedly runs at 1.3GHz, with 30 percent less power consumption than the first-gen QSD8250/QSD8650 chips.

Now, two of Samsung’s third-gen, dual-CPU Snapdragon processors have just started sampling among manufacturers. Qualcomm expects that the third-gen chips will show up in smartphones and tablets which will reach commercial availability some time during the first half of next year.

Running at up to 1.2 GHz, the latest, third-gen Snapdragon chipsets — the MSM8260 for HSPA+ and MSM8660 for multi-mode HSPA + CDMA/2000 1xEV-DO Rev B — run at up to 1.2 GHz.

Combining two processors, each chipset includes integrated low-power GPS, a low-power audio engine, and an advanced GPU with support for 1080p high definition (HD) video encoding /decoding and Open GLES 2.0 and Open VG 1.1 graphics acceleration. The two chipsets support 24-bit WXGA 1280 x 800 resolution displays.

The QSD6672, another third-gen dual-CPU Snapdragon chipset from Qualcomm, runs at up to 1.5 GHz, according to Golin.

“[The third-generation Snapdragon technology] translates to much higher processing capabilities and more advanced functionality without sacrifices to size or battery life,” Qualcomm’s Golin contended.

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