Qualcomm's latest chip, the Snapdragon 4S Gen 2, aims to bring 5G connectivity to some of the most affordable phones on the market, including those priced under $100. Announced on Tuesday, this new platform is designed to support fast 40-watt wired charging and enhance gaming experiences in budget smartphones, with initial releases expected later this year, starting with a model from Xiaomi.

Carina Affinito, Qualcomm's staff manager of Product Marketing, highlighted that the Snapdragon 4S Gen 2 will enable gigabit 5G performance in smartphones priced below $99. This chip is a step down from last year's Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, targeting lower-end devices and providing an option for phone makers seeking to offer newer features at a reduced cost.

While Qualcomm's Snapdragon 4S Gen 2 may not be adopted by US phone manufacturers immediately, it presents an alternative to the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1, which powers devices like Motorola’s $200 Moto G 5G. Unlike Qualcomm’s more advanced chips, which are updated annually, the 4S Gen 2 provides an opportunity for newer features in more affordable phones.

Currently, Samsung and TCL often use MediaTek processors in their budget 5G phones, such as the $200 Galaxy A15 5G and TCL's 50 series, which can be as low as $100 but are often restricted to a single US carrier. With many phones under $150 still lacking 5G connectivity, the introduction of the Snapdragon 4S Gen 2 could make 5G more accessible, ensuring that even budget-conscious users can benefit from the fast speeds and high bandwidth of 5G networks.