Qualcomm is back at it again. After launching the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 as a slightly watered-down version of its flagship chip last year, the company is now preparing for the next iteration—Snapdragon 8s Gen 4.
If history is anything to go by, this new chip should land somewhere between Qualcomm’s top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 and the mid-range Snapdragon 7 series, offering premium performance without the full flagship price tag.
So, what can we expect? While Qualcomm hasn’t officially revealed anything yet, there are some educated guesses we can make based on past releases and industry trends.
1. A Tweaked Core Layout, But No Custom Cores
One of the biggest shifts in Qualcomm’s chipset lineup has been the introduction of its custom Oryon cores, designed to compete with Apple’s high-performance silicon. But don’t expect them here.
If anything, the 8s Gen 4 is likely to continue using stock ARM cores rather than Qualcomm’s in-house solution. That alone sets it apart from the premium-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, which will be pushing the Oryon branding hard.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Qualcomm’s ARM-based cores have been solid performers, and sticking with them likely helps them keep costs down.
At the heart of the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is a new CPU core arrangement that leans on a single Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.21GHz. This is backed by three Cortex-A720 performance cores running at 3.01GHz, two more A720 cores at 2.80GHz, and two efficiency-focused A720 cores at 2.02GHz.
Notice something missing? The Cortex-A520 cores that handled efficiency in previous generations are nowhere to be found, replaced by a full lineup of A720 cores.
2. Same 4nm Process, But More Efficiency?
Qualcomm’s been sticking with TSMC’s 4nm process for a while now, and there’s little reason to believe that will change with the 8s Gen 4. While the move to 3nm would have been ideal for improved power efficiency, that technology is still expensive and reserved for only the absolute best chips.
Instead, Qualcomm is likely optimizing the existing 4nm process to squeeze out better thermal performance and efficiency, even if the raw power numbers might not be a dramatic leap from last year’s model.
3. GPU
The GPU side of things sees a minor downgrade from its flagship counterpart. While the Snapdragon 8 Elite packed the Adreno 830, the 8s Gen 4 is expected to feature the Adreno 825. Qualcomm has a habit of slightly tweaking its GPUs for cost efficiency, and while the specifics of the Adreno 825 aren’t confirmed, expect it to be a capable performer for mobile gaming. However, don’t expect it to match the absolute top-tier performance of the flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite.
Memory and cache improvements are also worth noting. The 8s Gen 4 comes with 6MB of system-level cache (SLC) and 8MB of L3 cache—small but notable upgrades that should help in scenarios where multiple apps are running simultaneously.
4. AI and Camera Capabilities
AI has been the buzzword of every chipset launch in the last couple of years, and the 8s Gen 4 will likely be no different. While there’s no word on exactly how the AI performance will compare to the current flagship, we can expect upgrades in on-device AI processing, particularly in image recognition, voice commands, and real-time language translation over the predecessor.
Camera improvements could be another area where we see subtle but important changes. Qualcomm’s image signal processors (ISPs) have been among the best in the industry, and while the 8s Gen 4 won’t match the premium Snapdragon 8 Elite, it should still deliver solid computational photography improvements. Think better low-light performance, improved HDR processing, and possibly even 8K video recording support.
5. Where Does It Fit?
At the end of the day, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is all about positioning. Qualcomm wants to provide a step up from the mid-range without cannibalizing its flagship sales. That makes it a strong option for brands looking to make premium-feeling phones without crossing into true high-end pricing.
Phones powered by the 8s Gen 4 will likely target a specific segment of users—those who want flagship-like performance but don’t necessarily care about having the absolute best GPU, camera, or AI capabilities. Think of devices in the $500–$700 range, where brands like Xiaomi, OnePlus, and iQOO thrive.
6. Should You Care?
That depends. If you’re using a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 phone or even something from the previous generation, the improvements here may not be game-changing. However, if you’re looking for an upgrade and don’t want to shell out for a top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 4-powered device, this could be the sweet spot.
As always, the real-world performance will depend on how manufacturers implement the chip—thermals, software optimizations, and cooling solutions will all play a role.
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