Qualcomm targets entry-level smartphones and tablets with Snapdragon 200 chips

Snapdragon 200 line delivers dual and quad-core ARM chips for entry level devices

Chipmaker Qualcomm has added six new chips to its Snapdragon 200 lineup comprising dual and quad-core designs to deliver improved performance and advanced multimedia features for high-volume smartphones and tablets.

One of the biggest players in the mobile chipset industry, Qualcomm said the new additions to its Snapdragon 200 line are set to be available in late 2013. The new chips are intended to deliver an optimal balance of multimedia features and modem technologies with extended battery life in entry-level smartphones and tablet devices.

Qualcomm senior vice president of product management Jeff Lorbeck said: "With the expanded line of Snapdragon 200 processors, Qualcomm Technologies is building on its dual and quad-core processor portfolio for entry-level smartphones and tablets, bringing key process technology and modem features to all Snapdragon tiers."

Manufactured on a 28nm fabrication process, the new chips feature support for HSPA+ mobile network connectivity up to 21Mbps, and interfaces for 8MP rear and 5MP front-facing cameras.

Based on ARM's Cortex-A5 core technology operating at up to 1.4GHz, the Snapdragon 200 line also features Qualcomm's Adreno 302 GPU and support the latest Android, Windows Phone and Firefox operating systems, the firm said.

The news comes as Qualcomm is rumoured to be considered for us in the next Microsoft Surface RT tablet, to bring 4G connectivity to the device.