Qualcomm promises quarterly GPU driver updates, releases GPU Inspector Tool

Posted on Friday, March 27 2020 @ 10:44 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
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While Android smartphones are great, one of the continuing issues is that regular updates remain an issue for a large fraction of users. Things have improved a bit versus years ago but a lot of devices still barely receive any support.

Now AnandTech reports Qualcomm is trying to do its part by sticking to a quarterly driver update cycle for its Adreno GPUs. The first quarterly update is set to arrive any day now and the firm also teamed up with Google to create an Android GPU Inspector tool that can help developers to spot issues:
In addition to drivers set to be updated quarterly, Qualcomm has also teamed up with Google to create the Android GPU Inspector tool, which promises to help discover performance optimization opportunities. According to Qualcomm, the tool helped Google and an unnamed game developer find an optimization that ‘saved the game 40% in GPU utilization’ on the Pixel 4 XL, which enabled smoother gameplay and longer battery life.
The current-generation Snapdragon 865 and Snapdragon 765/765G, as well as previous-generation Snapdragon 855 are the first to receive a quarterly GPU driver update. Unfortunately, users still have no way to automatically get these patches. Qualcomm sends the drivers to smartphone OEMs, who in turn need to push the update to the Google Play Store.

The Samsung Galaxy S10, Samsung Galaxy Note 10, and Google’s Pixel 4 series will receive the update soon. Other smartphones will follow later.


About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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