Feature phones are coming back, packed with 4G LTE connectivity, VoLTE for HD voice calls and other 4G services. Bring 4G connectivity to low-end feature phones, global chipmaker Qualcomm has announced Qualcomm 205 Mobile Platform.
The Qualcomm 205 Mobile Platform, in a nutshell, includes Qualcomm 205 SoC and various hardware components. This includes dual-core CPU and Qualcomm Adreno GPU. It also features support for Wi-Fi and advanced 4G LTE data services like Voice over LTE (VoLTE) and Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWi-Fi). This whole package will bring high-quality, affordable 4G connectivity to the masses.
Qualcomm 205 SoC features
Talking about the chipset, it brings a 4G LTE Cat 4 modem which can offer downloads up to 150Mbps and uploads up to 50Mbps. It will also support older network connectivity options 3G and 2G. The chipset carries support for Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.1, ANT+ and FM radio. The processor comes with dual core CPU clocked at 1.1 GHz. For graphic intense tasks, the chipset packs a Qualcomm Adreno GPU. The chipset can support rear cameras up to 3-megapixel and selfie cameras up to 0.3-megapixel. It can support video capture up to 480p at 60 frames-per-second. Further the chipset support VGA display, 720p HD video streaming, and dual SIM.
The chipset is designed for efficiency and extended use time, so devices need to charge less frequently. Necessary if you forget to charge, or don’t have immediate access to a charge source.
| Modem | Location | Video |
| Qualcomm Snapdragon X5 LTE modem | 720p@30fps decode | |
| 4G, 3G and 2G support | Satellite Systems Support | 480p@30fps encode |
| LTE Category 4 (downlink) | GPS | H.264, VP8, MP4 |
| Peak download speed, 150 Mbps | GLONASS | |
| Peak upload speed, 50 Mbps | Beidou | Camera |
| Supported cellular technologies: | Global Emergency Services Support | Up to 3MP rear camera |
| HSPA+, GSM, TD-SCDMA, DSDS | Assisted GPS | VGA selfie camera |
| Support for VoLTE and VoWIFI | OTDOA (LTE-based positioning) | |
| Advanced Location Features | Security | |
| Connectivity | Low Power Geofencing and Tracking | Qualcomm SecureMSM technology |
| Qualcomm Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n | Qualcomm Snapdragon StudioAccess technology | |
| USB 2.0 | Memory | |
| Bluetooth 4.1 | LPDDR2/3 @ 384MHz | Compatibility |
| eMMC 4.5 | Snapdragon 210 and 212 mobile platforms (pin–to–pin) | |
| CPU | ||
| Dual-core up to 1.1 GHz | Display | Optimized Software Solutions |
| MIPI DSI up to VGA | Linux based | |
| Graphics | ||
| Adreno 304 GPU | Process Technology | |
| OpenGL ES 3.0 | 28 nm LP |
Availability and Partners
So when you could see the device running the new Qualcomm 205 Mobile Platform? The platform will be available today with feature phones expected to reach you in Q2 2017. Qualcomm has already partnered with mobile vendors and telecom operators around the globe. Some key partners include Borqs, CKT, Flex, FIH/Megafone, HiPad, Huiye, LYF, Micromax, Reliance Jio, TCL, TSM, Uniscope, Viroyal/Feixun.
The three names in the list that pops out are Reliance Jio (telecom operator), LYF (Reliance’s mobile business) and Micromax. A few days ago Micromax CMO confirmed the existence of Bharat 1, a feature phone with 4G VoLTE support. While there have been strong rumours of Reliance Jio along with LYF to launch low-cost feature phones with 4G VoLTE connectivity.