Qualcomm launches chipset for low-cost smartphones

Also adds to HSPA+ chipset range to boost performance and multimedia functionality

Qualcomm is launching a range of mobile chipsets

Wireless technology provider Qualcomm today announced a new chipset for low-end smartphones, and new additions to its HSPA+ chipset portfolio designed to enhance the user experience with improved processing power and multimedia functionality.

The MSM7227 chipset is aimed at supporting the sub-$150 (£100) smartphone market. It features HSDPA/HSUPA for broadband data speeds over 3G networks, and support for all leading mobile operating systems including Android, Symbian S60 and Windows Mobile.

The chipset features a 600MHz applications processor with a floating point unit, a 400MHz modem processor, hardware-accelerated 3D graphics, integrated Bluetooth 2.1 and GPS, an 8-megapixel camera and 30fps WVGA video encode and decode and display support, said Qualcomm.

The firm expects smartphones based on the chip to ship later this year.

Qualcomm also announced the new Mobile Station Modem (MSM) MSM8260, MSM8660 and MSM8270 chipsets for mobile handsets, and the Mobile Data Modem (MDM) MDM8220 for data applications.

The mobile handset models are designed with a Scorpion 1.2GHz processor and 600MHz DSP for high levels of web application and multimedia performance, alongside support for 3D/2D user interfaces and console-quality gaming via dedicated, high-performance graphics engines, said the firm.

There is also integrated Assisted GPS, support for 24-bit WXGA (1,280 x 800) displays and 45nm process technology for reduced power consumption.

The MDM8220 solution for datacards features support for Release 8 dual-carrier HSPA+ for up to 42Mbit/s on the downlink and 11Mbit/s on the uplink. The HSPA+ technology effectively doubles the end user's bandwidth from 5MHz to 10MHz by aggregating two HSPA carriers in parallel to enhance web 2.0 experiences, Qualcomm said.

"As HSPA+ becomes an increasingly popular option for network operators looking to maximise their investments in 3G networks, Qualcomm has expanded its HSPA+ product roadmap to include a comprehensive family of chipsets covering multiple tiers of the wireless market," said Alex Katouzian, vice president of product management at Qualcomm CDMA Technologies.