Skip to main content

Qualcomm rumored to be adding AV1 support with next flagship Snapdragon chip

Google is a big proponent of the open AV1 video codec, especially on the YouTube and streaming device front. On Android, Qualcomm is a notable holdout and has so far not supported AV1 on its Snapdragon chips, but that might be changing this year.

Protocol, in its Entertainment newsletter, shared today that Qualcomm is “planning to add support for AV1 to its upcoming flagship Snapdragon mobile processor.” The publication is specifically referring to the Adreno GPU of the “SM8550,” with today’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 being the SM8450. 

This chip was presumably called the Gen 2, per Qualcomm’s new naming strategy, and should follow the same end of year announcement for early 2023 adoption. Android’s main chipmaker has long been a holdout, and today only supports the following

Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG, H.264 (AVC), H.265 (HEVC), VP8, VP9

Samsung added support for AV1 decoding with the Exynos 2100 in 2021 and continued this year. The company cited its inclusion in the Exynos 2200 as allowing for longer playback time. 

Qualcomm previously cited long (two to three years) product roadmaps, and made its addition sound like an inevitability. Meanwhile, AV1 features a royalty-free licensing model that’s attractive to companies. Besides YouTube, Netflix is adopting the codec for higher quality streaming at reduced bandwidth.

More on Qualcomm

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Google — experts who break news about Google and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Google on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

Author

Avatar for Abner Li Abner Li

Editor-in-chief. Interested in the minutiae of Google and Alphabet. Tips/talk: abner@9to5g.com