Qualcomm plans its first foray into the consumer electronics market in years – with a device that looks a lot like Nintendo’s popular Switch game console. According to a source familiar with the company’s strategy, the Android gaming console will attempt to showcase the company’s Snapdragon chipsets in a less traditional format.
The device, from which we were able to view non-final images, but cannot share, is immediately familiar to anyone who owns a Switch. Detachable “joycon” controllers are on the left and right sides of the center console, which resembles a thicker and larger smartphone. There is a good reason for this: the company believes that the added thermal space that a thicker design offers will make its processor run faster and significantly more efficient than a modern ultra-thin smartphone. Qualcomm is also using this space to pack a large 6000mAh battery that will be equipped with its Quick Charge technology. According to our source, Qualcomm is using a premium vendor in the controller space to design and manufacture gamepads, although we have not been able to verify the name of that vendor. The exact dimensions of the console and its screen were also not made available to us (although friend of AP and XDA EIC Mishaal Rahman have reason to think that the screen is 6.65 “wide).
Like the Switch, the Qualcomm notebook will support video output capabilities to play on a TV or external monitor, although it is unclear whether this means a dedicated port such as a mini HDMI or whether the USB-C charging port would double . An SD card slot will also be provided for expandable storage. The console will run Android 12 with a custom launcher and offer full support for the Google Play suite of apps and services. In a promising sign for fans of the giant Fortnite Epic, Qualcomm currently hopes to support the Epic Games Store app on its laptop at launch – meaning that the long-awaited Android app may finally be close to launch. Qualcomm also has plans to build its own content portal. It was unclear whether Qualcomm was interested in partnering with cloud streaming providers like Google’s Stadia or NVIDIA’s GeForce Now, although the company’s pride in the graphics capabilities of its own silicon would obviously make the local game more of a feature of demonstration.
Qualcomm’s current goal is to launch the device in the first quarter of 2022 – meaning that it is likely to feature the next generation of Snapdragon silicon. We do not know whether the company will use a custom or tailored chip design, or whether Qualcomm plans to use it to demonstrate the flexibility of its ready-to-use solution. The typical set of sensors like Bluetooth, GPS, accelerometers and dual zone haptics are included. Sure, it wouldn’t be Qualcomm without 5G: the notebook will have connectivity to fifth generation wireless networks (interestingly, with Qualcomm’s oldest X55 modem), but it is not clear whether models with only Wi-Fi can be offered. The company’s target price is $ 300, but we are currently unsure whether that price includes the removable gamepads or the aforementioned 5G. We do not believe that any version of the console works as a standalone mobile handset (that is, it has telephony capabilities).
As for distribution, Qualcomm plans to offer direct sales to consumers, but it also wants to use its connections with US operators to reach store shelves. This could mean variants specifically with the operator’s brand, although, given the likely small volumes of products involved, I would not bet on any significant differences between them. Speaking of volume, according to our source, Qualcomm has no illusions about taking down Nintendo: the company’s expectations are not an overnight commercial success. Instead, Qualcomm hopes to inspire its partners to explore new form factors as the line between “mobile” and “console” games becomes increasingly blurred.
Like any product with a year or more between it and existence in retail, it is possible that Qualcomm may hinder the launch of its unannounced console due to concerns about commercial viability or any other reason.
Qualcomm was contacted prior to the publication of this story. A Qualcomm spokesman cited the company’s standard policy of not commenting on rumors or speculation.