From CNET: Chipmaker Qualcomm launched two new processors meant for lower-cost phones Thursday, adding support for the faster Wi-Fi 7 standard along with higher display refresh rates. The announcement is especially notable as the cost of electronics continues to rise amid the global RAM shortage, putting more focus on what phone buyers can still get at value-focused prices.
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 is the higher-end of the two, and will be the first for its series to include Wi-Fi 7 support. The newer wireless internet standard generally supports faster speeds and improved multitasking for networks powered by a newer Wi-Fi 7 router.
In addition to faster speeds, CNET Senior Writer Joe Supan notes in his Wi-Fi 7 analysis that these routers have also come down in price, making them more accessible to recommend when building out a home internet network (barring separate concerns relating to the recent US ban on foreign-made routers). The new processor also includes Bluetooth 6.0 support, which should improve pairing speed when connecting other devices and audio latency.
Meanwhile, the Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 adds a number of features that could improve gaming on lower-end phones, such as support for 144Hz refresh rates and 90 frames per second. Both of these are among the features I've seen on gaming phones that I've tested, and if something that cost around $300 were to support them, it would be quite the boost for phones in this price range.
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