Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips are already found in many great gaming phones. But the chipmaker believes it has more to offer gamers in the form of a dedicated chipset platform built for portable gaming devices.

This is the thinking behind the new Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 system-on-chip that Qualcomm announced today (December 1). Qualcomm sees the G3x as a chip designed for next-generation gaming devices.

As such, Qualcomm is showing off more than just a new chipset. Unfortunately, the Snapdragon G3x Handheld Gaming Developer Kit will not be available to the public. Instead, it is aimed primarily at game makers so that they can create apps specific to the kinds of devices Qualcomm sees as the future of gaming.

However, according to one report, Microsoft is dabbling with the possibility of an Xbox handheld, and the Snapdragon G3x is mentioned as a possible chip.

Qualcomm executives claim that the Snapdragon G3x platform is a natural extension of what the chipmaker is already doing in smartphones, PCs, cars, wearable devices, and mixed reality devices. In these cases, Qualcomm identified a need and developed the chipset with a focus on performance and connectivity.

Learn more about the Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 and the handheld devices it will be used in.

The Snapdragon G3x will feature the Adreno GPU, which is also found in Qualcomm's cell phone chipsets; for the G3x, the Adreno GPU can support games running at 144 frames per second with 10-bit HDR. The chipset will integrate both a cooling system and gaming controller support.

The Snapdragon G3x, being a Qualcomm chip, supports both sub-6Hz and mmWave-based 5G connectivity, with a particular emphasis on connectivity. Wi-Fi 6 and 6E are also supported through Qualcomm's FastConnect 6900 Mobile Connectivity feature. In short, one can expect fast connections with minimal latency for online gaming.

On the audio side, the Snapdragon Sound feature should provide an immersive experience, and the chipset will have a video output for connection to 4K displays. the Snapdragon G3x will also have a mixed reality headset with Because it will allow tethering, the chipset will be able to promote a multi-screen experience. [The Snapdragon G3x will also support the Snapdragon Elite Gaming feature. This feature has been deployed in Qualcomm's silicon in recent years as part of the chipmaker's efforts to bring desktop-style gaming to mobile devices.

Past Snapdragon Elite Gaming additions have included desktop forward rendering for improved lighting and updatable GPU drivers. With this year's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 release, Qualcomm will add the Adreno Motion Engine to increase frame rates without increasing power consumption and volumetric rendering to more accurately display effects like fog and smoke in games. One could imagine the Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 supporting similar features.

The Snapdragon G3x silicon is found in the Handheld Gaming Developer developed by Qualcomm and Razer. This handheld device somewhat resembles the elongated Game Gear. The handheld device also looks like a Nintendo Switch squeezed between an Xbox Duke controller, as the 6.65-inch OLED panel is surrounded on either side by controllers.

Qualcomm did not create the handheld console to attract attention in the gaming arena. Instead, the idea is that game makers will use the developer kit to understand the capabilities of the Snapdragon G3x and redesign their games accordingly, optimizing them for future devices that are sure to run on Qualcomm's newly announced silicon.

The Handheld Gaming Developer Kit includes a 5MP webcam with two microphones capable of 1080p video recording, in addition to a 120Hz display. There is also a USB-C port for connecting headsets and other accessories, and DisplayPort over USB for connecting to an external monitor. There is also a 4-way speaker and the ability to pair the device with wireless earbuds; a 6,000mAh battery keeps the device powered up.

Qualcomm sees the prototype as a place to play all your games, whether they are in the cloud, stored on a PC, or part of a gaming console. It remains to be seen if game makers will be inspired by the Snapdragon G3x Handheld Gaming Developer Kit to optimize their games for such a handheld device.