The new Snapdragon 865 Plus packs Wi-Fi 6E, 10% higher clocks

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Qualcomm is announcing its midcycle chip upgrade today: the Snapdragon 865 Plus. Like always, these "Plus" chips are higher-clocked versions of the major designs that were released earlier in the year, but new for the 865 Plus specifically is Wi-Fi 6E compatibility.

First, the speed increases: Qualcomm is promising a 10-percent faster CPU and GPU, thanks to faster clock rates. The CPU is officially up to 3.1Ghz now, and since the GPU on the Snapdragon 865 runs at 600MHz, the Plus version should be up around 660MHz.

Wi-Fi 6E

• The new Snapdragon 865 Plus packs Wi-Fi 6E, 10% higher clocks
• The FCC ratified Wi-Fi 6E this morning
• Wi-Fi 6E becomes official-the FCC will vote on rules this month
• Wi-Fi 6E isn't here yet-but Broadcom is clearly banking on it
• Tired of hearing about Wi-Fi 6? Great, let's talk about Wi-Fi 6E

View more storiesThe big news, though, is the addition of Qualcomm's "FastConnect 6900" connectivity chip, which, along with peak speeds of up to 3.6 Gbps, will bring Wi-Fi 6E to smartphones. Currently, Wi-Fi works in the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies, but 6E will extend Wi-Fi into the 6GHz spectrum. Theoretical top speeds won't increase, but the extra spectrum will help Wi-Fi work better in crowded areas. You can only fit so many bits into the current 2.4GHz and 5GHz airways, and if you and all your neighbors are filling the airwaves and causing a traffic jam, everyone will have to slow down. Six gigahertz Wi-Fi will add more lanes for traffic.

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