Exclusive: The Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 is a re-branded 670, coming to at least 2 Xiaomi devices

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Qualcomm’s highest-end Snapdragon series garners most of the attention from the press because it’s where Qualcomm boasts the biggest numbers and latest features. But phones running the high-end Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 won’t make up the bulk of new smartphone sales, in fact, it’ll be those smartphones with the company’s budget and mid-range system-on-chips that’ll sell like hotcakes. With each new generation system-on-chip, the improvements made in the fabrication process and other aspects eventually translate over to other SoC designs. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 was rumored to launch this year as a cheaper, downgraded version of the Snapdragon 845, but now it appears that Qualcomm is re-branding the Snapdragon 670 (sdm670) as the Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 (sdm710) and we can also confirm that it’ll launch on at least two upcoming Xiaomi devices.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 710, a SoC with 2 BIG + 6 LITTLE CPU Cores

A few days ago, I reported that two upcoming Xiaomi devices, code-named “sirius” and “comet,” would feature the unannounced Snapdragon 670. That information was based on firmware files obtained by @FunkyHuawei, the man behind the FunkyHuawei.club service, which allows users to update, unbrick, or rebrand Huawei and Honor phones for a fee. Since that initial report, I have been provided updated firmware files in which all references to the Snapdragon 670 have been replaced with the Snapdragon 710. Initially, I believed that Xiaomi simply decided on using a newer Qualcomm Snapdragon chip, but a reliable source reached out to me to inform me that the unannounced Snapdragon 670 is no more and is instead being re-branded as the upcoming 710.

Further evidence for this change can be found in a commit found on Qualcomm’s CodeAurora forums, as shown below.

Roland Quandt from WinFuture initially reported on the existence of the Snapdragon 710, though he was unable to share any further details at the time. Unfortunately, the reason for that is because all of the details have already been documented—by him. By digging through the kernel source code for sdm670, he discovered most of the specifications for the CPU and GPU. The 670, which is now known as the 710, will have a dual-core high-end CPU cluster (customized ARM Cortex-A75) and a hexa-core low-end CPU cluster (customized ARM Cortex-A55). We can also corroborate this unusual core configuration via our findings in Xiaomi device firmware, as shown below.

As for the GPU, it will be the Adreno 615, with frequencies ranging between 430MHz-700Mhz. Further details can be found here.

Xiaomi “Comet” and “Sirius”

We are now able to share some preliminary specifications and features of the upcoming, unannounced Xiaomi devices with code-names “comet” and “sirius.” We have listed our findings in bullet point format to make it easier to digest. We are unfortunately unable to share any information about the exact camera hardware or the devices’ marketing names at this time. Also, keep in mind that one or both of these devices may never make it to market—Xiaomi and other OEMs internally test devices all the time that are never sold.

Comet

sdm710

OLED with Always on Display feature

Android 8.1 Oreo

Xiaomi Mi device

Dual SIM

IR Blaster

3100 mAh battery

No NFC

No microSD card slot

Sirius

sdm710

OLED with Display Notch, Always on Display feature

Android 8.1 Oreo

Xiaomi Mi device

Dual SIM

IR Blaster

3120 mAh battery

No NFC

No microSD card slot

Portrait mode in camera

If we learn more about these devices or the Snapdragon 710, we’ll be sure to let you all know.