Qualcomm has confirmed that its next-generation flagship chipset (previously dubbed Snapdragon 8 Gen 4) for mobile devices will debut at its annual Snapdragon Summit, taking place from Oct. 21 and Oct. 23. In June 2024, Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon X Elite, a processor designed for Windows laptops. It offers significantly improved AI processing, utilizing an on-chip Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capable of running a generative AI Large Language Model (LLM) at blazing speeds. Recent reports suggest that Qualcomm may change the name of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 to align with its Windows processor lineup; the mobile chipset may be called the Snapdragon 8 Elite. This moniker was spotted in a leaked poster related to the launch date of the Xiaomi 15.
1. Snapdragon 8 Elite specifications
According to reports, the Snapdragon 8 Elite will feature six CPU cores clocked at 3.53GHz and two CPU cores operating at 4.32GHz. For graphics, it will utilize the Adreno 830 GPU, which has a clock speed of 1.1GHz. A recent leak claimed that the Snapdragon 8 Elite could offer around a 46% to 53% improvement in the GPU department compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
Qualcomm recently introduced Snapdragon X80 modem is expected to be part of their upcoming chip. Key features include built-in satellite support (NB-NTN) without additional components, 10% less power usage for mmWave, 30% improved location accuracy, and the ability to combine six 5G carriers for faster speeds. With AI being a significant trend in the smartphone industry, the Snapdragon 8 Elite is expected to arrive with substantial enhancements in this area.
On Geekbench, the upcoming OnePlus 13 has been seen with impressive benchmarking scores, achieving 3,216 in single-core tests and exceeding 10,000 in multi-core tests with a score of 10,051. However, it’s important to note that the Snapdragon 8 Elite name has not been officially confirmed yet.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite is expected to deliver exceptional performance, with significant enhancements in CPU and GPU capabilities, alongside advanced AI processing power that enhances overall device efficiency and user experience.
2. Price Increase
Readers should note that improved performance will also accompany the higher cost, making the Snapdragon 8 Elite a premium offering in the market. According to a recent report, acquiring the Snapdragon 8 Elite from Qualcomm will be costlier for smartphone brands compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The increase is attributed to TSMC’s expensive N3E manufacturing process, with a price hike of about 20% expected. The Snapdragon 8 Elite is anticipated to cost around $190, compared to $152 for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite will compete with MediaTek’s next-generation Dimensity 9400, which is scheduled to launch on October 9. It is speculated that the Dimensity 9400 may also be priced around $155, up from $124 for last year’s Dimensity 9300.
The increase in the price of the Snapdragon 8 Elite suggests that smartphones featuring the new chip will also come with a higher price tag. Last year, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 debuted at a price of 3,999 Yuan (~$570) in China, and the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite phones could see a price increase of around 500 Yuan for the base model.
3. Upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Phones
The Xiaomi 15 and 15 Pro, expected to launch on October 23, could be the world’s first smartphones featuring the Snapdragon 8 Elite. Other devices anticipated to debut by the end of this month in China include the Honor Magic 7, Magic 7 Pro, Magic 7 Ultimate, Magic 7 RS Porsche Design, OnePlus 13, and iQOO 13.
Next month, some Snapdragon 8 Lite phones are expected to launch in early November to be available for purchase during the Singles’ Day (November 11) shopping festival in China. The Realme GT 7 Pro and Redmi K80 Pro are among the Snapdragon 8 Elite phones expected to be officially launched in early November.
Before the end of this year, the Red Magic 10 series, Nubia Z70 Ultra, and OnePlus Ace 5 Pro are also expected to go official with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. Additionally, the new chip will power the Samsung Galaxy S25 lineup, Oppo Find X8 Ultra, Xiaomi 15 Ultra, and Vivo X200 Ultra, which are anticipated to debut in the first quarter of 2025.
4. Snapdragon 8 Elite phones: Should you wait for them?
While several Snapdragon 8 Elite phones are expected to launch in the remaining months of this year in China, the first global Snapdragon 8 Elite phones are anticipated to be released in the first quarter of 2025. It is likely that the Galaxy S25 series could be the first phones to feature this chipset worldwide.
If you’re willing to pay a premium, waiting for the Snapdragon 8 Elite phones could be worthwhile. This chipset is expected to deliver exceptional CPU and GPU performance, ideal for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking. Additionally, new flagships are set to be equipped with silicon carbon batteries, offering larger capacities while maintaining a slim profile, which will be one of the major attractions of Snapdragon 8 Elite phones.
However, there are downsides to consider when deciding whether to wait for these new devices. Snapdragon 8 Elite phones are anticipated to carry a higher price tag due to increased manufacturing costs, which could be a significant factor for budget-conscious consumers. As mentioned above, initial availability is likely to be limited to China, with global releases potentially taking several months. This means your preferred brand or model may not be available right away, resulting in a limited selection at launch.
If you’re not willing to wait or pay a premium for the Snapdragon 8 Elite, there are still plenty of excellent smartphones powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 available now, offering great performance and features at a more affordable price.
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