The Snapdragon 855 is already official: 5G, computational photography and more power for the high-end

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 During the presentation of the new Snapdragon 855, Qualcomm has placed the focus on Artificial Intelligence, a label that we see more and more repeated in the mobile panorama. In this generation they promise us triple the power in calculations related to artificial intelligence tasks.

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On the other hand, the Snapdragon 855 has an ISP chip with computational photography algorithms , an upward trend now that the fight for the best camera is gaining more weight in the software than in the hardware itself. For example, functions such as the Pixel portrait mode or some night modes integrate this type of algorithm to solve very complex scenes.

With respect to the graphics part, the Snapdragon 855 GPU has what Qualcomnm calls "Elite Gaming" and, as its name suggests, is focused on gaming performance. Of this we do not have specific details either, but this function could be in the line of improvements like Huawei's Turbo GPU. 

 Another detail that incorporates the new chip is the support for the ultrasonic fingerprint reader of the brand that is integrated under the screen. Currently we have seen this technology in several flagship and everything points to 2019 will be the year in which it is established more broadly, so it makes sense to incorporate this option.

Speaking of 2019, a key detail is missing, perhaps the most important of all. Next year aims to be the definitive takeoff of the 5G and the new Qualcomm chip is ready for modern life. The Snapdragon 855 will hit the market with the Qualcomm X50, the modem that will allow access to 5G networks and that makes it the first commercial chip with this capability.