Qualcomm is gearing up for its much-anticipated 2025 Snapdragon Summit, where it is expected to unveil the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chipset. Alongside this, rumors suggest the launch of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, a new addition that aims to solidify Qualcomm’s flagship dominance in the smartphone processor market. Today, a leak from tipster Digital Chat Station has shed more light on what to expect from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 5: Not Just an Iteration
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, which carries the model number SM8845, is reportedly neither an iteration of the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (SM8735) nor a mere rebranded version of any existing Snapdragon 8 series chip. Instead, it is positioned as a true flagship Snapdragon 8-series processor, designed to push performance and innovation to new levels.
This marks a significant departure, as many previous Snapdragon releases were iterative updates. The 8 Gen 5 is expected to bring fresh architecture and capabilities, showcasing Qualcomm’s next-generation technology.
Process and Architecture
According to the tip, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 is built on the same TSMC N3P process node as the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2. This node promises significant efficiency and performance improvements over predecessors.
Additionally, the 8 Gen 5 features Qualcomm’s proprietary Oryon CPU architecture and supports the SME (Scalable Matrix Extension) instruction set, designed to boost on-device AI acceleration. This integration underlines a growing trend of AI-centric enhancements in flagship processors, promising smarter, faster, and more power-efficient AI-driven functionalities on smartphones.
Industry Adoption and Model Variants
The leak also notes that many leading smartphone manufacturers are already readying devices powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, indicating its critical role in the upcoming flagship smartphone landscape.
From the current leaks, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 family will not include a model numbered SM8835. Instead, the lineup will consist of:
- SM8850 (Snapdragon 8 Elite 2)
- SM8850s (expected to debut later, possibly as a leading or enhanced version)
- SM8845 (Snapdragon 8 Gen 5)
Potential Devices Powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 5
Reports suggest that the Redmi K90 could be among the first smartphones to launch with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset. Other rumored devices include the Honor GT 2 and the Realme Neo 8, both positioned as widely anticipated flagship killers.
The architecture is rumored to follow a 2+6 core setup, borrowing some features from the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 but slightly trailing last year’s Snapdragon 8 Elite in raw power. Despite being a notch below the Elite 2, the Gen 5 promises a superb balance of performance, power efficiency, and AI capabilities.
What to Expect at the Snapdragon Summit
With Qualcomm’s official Snapdragon 2025 Summit on the horizon, enthusiasts and industry watchers will be eagerly awaiting confirmation of these chipsets. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 and Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 are shaping up to be pivotal components of next year’s flagship smartphones, where enhanced AI performance, efficient processing, and innovative architecture will define competitive advantages.
The launch of Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 represents Qualcomm’s continued commitment to leadership in the mobile chipset space, introducing new CPU architectures and AI accelerators that will undoubtedly impact the capabilities and experiences of future flagship smartphones worldwide.