Qualcomm 205 SoC is Designed for Entry-level 4G LTE Feature Phones Running Linux

Qualcomm has just introduced Qualcomm 205 “Mobile Platform” designed to bring 4G LTE connectivity and services to entry-level feature phones to emerging regions, such as India, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. The SoC features a dual core ARM CPU, an Adreno 304 GPU, and an LTE Cat 4 modem.

Qualcomm 205 SoC specifications

  • CPU – Dual Core ARM Cortex A7 processor at 1.1 GHz
  • GPU – Qualcomm Adreno 304 GPU supporting OpenGL ES 3.0
  • Memory I/F – LPDDR2 & LPDDR3 up to 384 MHz
  • Storage I/F –  eMMC 4.5 flash
  • Display – MIPI DSI up to 480p60
  • Cellular Connectivity
    • X5 LTE modem supporting LTE Cat 4 with up to 150 Mbps download, 50 Mbps upload;
    • Dual SIM card
    • 2G, 3G and 4G support
    • VoLTE support
  • Connectivity – Support for 802.11 b/g/n & VoWIFI, Bluetooth 4.1, ANT+, FM radio,  GPS/GLONASS/Beidou
  • Camera – Dual 3MP camera support (rear + front) up to 480p60
  • Video Codecs –  H.264 (AVC),  MP4, VP8 decoding up to 720p
  • Security –  Qualcomm SecureMSM hardware and software;  Qualcomm Snapdragon StudioAccess content protection
  • Process – 28nm

The processor is pin-to-pin compatible with Qualcomm Snapdragon 210/212, and Qualcomm provides support for a Linux based OS.

Qualcomm 205 SoC is already in mass production, and retail devices are expected in Q2 2017. You’ll find a few more details on the product page.

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9 Replies to “Qualcomm 205 SoC is Designed for Entry-level 4G LTE Feature Phones Running Linux”

    1. Sure, Qualcomm charges you for A7’s like mediatek for A53’s, or even more. Where is that saving?

  1. @cnxsoft
    I think you gave the answer already why it’s still A7 above in the description: ‘pin-to-pin compatible with Qualcomm Snapdragon 210/212’. Obviously this chip is for smartphone vendors wanting to provide a low-end/low-price version of existing designs so it would be rather stupid to exchange CPU cores since this would require significantly more software efforts which renders the low-price approach useless (especially when switching from 32-bit ARM to 64-bit)?

  2. “Qualcomm provides support for a Linux based OS.” Brrr, how vague! That “a Linux based OS” could be Android 4.x. 🙁
    And that could make the title of the post a bit too optimistic.

  3. I would suggest the market aimed at aids understanding the design goals.

    Quote ”

    The Qualcomm 205 Mobile Platform is designed for OEMs and ODMs that service consumers who may otherwise be unable to gain access to high quality, affordable, reliable mobile devices. This includes emerging regions, such as those in India, Latin America, and Southeast Asia

    ” End quote

    Also ”

    Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “Feature phones are a lifeline in many emerging countries and the Qualcomm 205 Mobile Platform allows us to bring 4G connectivity and services to the masses with devices at price points never seen before.”

  4. @Sander
    When I read “Linux based feature phone”, I also implicitly read 128 to 256 MB RAM… but that’s just my assumption…
    I could just find an Android LTE smartphone for $70 on Aliexpress, so I’m hoping for maybe $60 LTE phones with Qualcomm 205.

  5. A safe bet for ‘Linux-based OS’ would be Android. On the plus side, that would also enable Ubuntu Touch. On the minus side, Canonical may never step up from ARMv7.. Oh well.

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