Snapdragon Processors Boost Capabilities of Nexus 5 Smartphones

The Nexus 5 will be the first smartphone released with global LTE support and Android 4.4. The smartphone is Google’s thinnest phone yet, made possible by a combination of advanced features. For example, the device is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 800 processors.  Those processors enable the Nexus 5 to provide an optimal user experience including faster performance, rich graphics, and better battery efficiency. The processor’s imaging capabilities enable the Android Camera’s new hardware abstraction layer (HAL), which uses color-science algorithms to create new imaging experiences with burst-mode computational photography.

The Snapdragon 800 processors feature a Krait 500 central processing unit (CPU), which provides performance capabilities beyond 2 GHz. A Hexagon QDSP6 CPU allows it to target ultra-low-power applications while providing customized programmability. The low-power Snapdragon Sensor Core increases both sensor accuracy and efficiency. It provides support for up to a 2560x2048 display and Miracast 10809 high definition (HD). That sensor core uses the IZat Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) for use with three Global Positioning System (GPS) constellations.

The Nexus 5 also leverages Qualcomm’s QFE1100, which is part of the RF360 front end. The comprehensive, system-level solution allows OEMs to develop a single, global 4G LTE design. The QFE1100 uses envelope-tracking (ET) technology for 3G and 4G LTE devices, offering performance improvements and reducing heat by up to 30% and power consumption by up to 20%. This feature helps to enable the thinner form factor and longer battery life.