Qualcomm unveiled its latest and most powerful smartphone processor, Snapdragon 8 Elite, at the annual Snapdragon Summit event in Hawaii. The chip is expected to usher in a new era for mobile devices, with Samsung’s Galaxy S25 already confirmed to be using this new Qualcomm processor.
Qualcomm renames its line of processors.
Qualcomm recently renamed its range of processors, moving away from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 to Gen 3 nomenclature to better align with the successful Snapdragon X Elite used in PCs. The new name emphasizes the concept of “Elite,” symbolizing top-tier innovation and performance in the processor market.
Snapdragon 8 Elite introduces the next version of Oryon cores designed for mobile devices, offering enhanced performance and energy efficiency compared to its predecessors. The new architecture boasts up to 46% improved energy consumption efficiency, with Prime cores running at speeds of up to 4.32 GHz and Performance cores at speeds of up to 3.53 GHz. This surpasses rival processors like MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400, elevating smartphone performance to unprecedented levels.
Cache memory was rearranged, with 12 MB of L2 cache allocated to each group of cores, totaling 24 MB. This leads to faster command execution and an improved user experience.
Snapdragon 8 Elite, made using the TSMC 3 nm N3E process, contains more than 40 elements in its SoC, such as a new Adreno GPU. This new GPU offers a 40% increase in efficiency and performance, as well as enhancements in ray tracing and CPU cooperation. The synergy among these components enables mobile devices to surpass the performance of numerous desktops.
The chip’s NPU Hexagon in artificial intelligence (AI) excels by providing 45% higher AI performance. It allows for the use of multimodal language models, enabling users to work with text, images, voice, and video on the device without needing the cloud. This innovation transforms how smartphones handle information, adjust to user context, and prioritize privacy.
Camera and connectivity capabilities
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Image processing on Snapdragon 8 Elite has been significantly enhanced, with the new AI ISP Spectra providing high-quality photo and video capture capabilities. This includes the ability to capture photos with three 48 MP cameras simultaneously at 30 fps and record 4K videos at 60 fps with AI assistance, improving detailing and enabling real-time adjustments for tasks like lighting correction and object removal.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite is notable for its advanced connectivity features, including Wi-Fi 7 support reaching speeds of up to 5.8 Gbps and 5G Advanced capabilities with a second-generation 5G processor integrated with AI. Additionally, it introduces NB-NTN satellite connectivity, enabling smartphones to stay connected in remote locations.
Availability of goods
The upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite will be accessible on ASUS, Samsung, Xiaomi, and OnePlus devices. The initial launch of smartphones featuring this chip is planned for the upcoming weeks.
