Qualcomm’s shock Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 takes a web page from Apple

Replace: September 26, 2025 (1:15 AM ET): Qualcomm has now confirmed some particulars in regards to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5. The corporate revealed to journalists, together with Android Authority, that the chip has a 3nm TSMC design with customized Oryon CPU cores (3.8GHz Prime core and three.32GHz Efficiency cores). The language suggests we’re taking a look at a 1+7 CPU structure versus the 8 Elite household’s 2+6 setup.

In any other case, the corporate stated this chip has a “next-gen” Adreno GPU, a “highly effective” NPU, and a “superior AI-ISP powered digital camera.” That doesn’t inform us a lot, so we’re nonetheless eager to see precisely what this chipset is able to in comparison with its Elite stablemates.

Unique article: September 24, 2025 (10:06 PM ET): At its annual Snapdragon Summit, Qualcomm launched its anticipated flagship cell processor for the subsequent yr, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. The processor is predicted to energy next-gen premium Android smartphones just like the Galaxy S26 collection. However the firm additionally threw in a shock on the finish of its presentation, asserting a second premium-tier processor: the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5.

“We developed this chipset to offer you extra decisions and adaptability, whereas nonetheless delivering flagship options,” Qualcomm stated on stage. Whereas particulars are scarce, the brand new processor will seemingly sit just under the Elite mannequin. The thought is to create two distinct efficiency ranges inside Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 8 household.

In a bunch interview the place Android Authority’s C. Scott Brown was current, Alex Katouzian, Group GM of Cellular, Compute, and XR at Qualcomm, defined why the corporate took this step.

“What’s going to occur is we’re type of bifurcating the premium tier into two. And you realize you we’ve this Elite expertise and we’re giving prospects (telephone makers) and a chance to tier within the premium tier. And I feel they’re asking for that as nicely.”

Katouzian in contrast Qualcomm’s transfer on to Apple’s ongoing technique. “For those who have a look at Apple, you will have the identical factor. You’ve gotten two totally different chipsets,” he stated.

Apple began providing totally different chips in its flagship iPhones beginning with the iPhone 15 Professional lineup in 2023, when it launched the A17 Professional chip, distinguishing it from the usual A16 Bionic chip used within the base iPhone 15 fashions. This yr, Apple is providing the A19 chip in the usual iPhone 17 whereas the iPhone 17 Professional fashions ship with the A19 Professional. Qualcomm appears to be taking an analogous break up method, giving smartphone makers and consumers extra flexibility relating to creating and selecting flagship telephones.

Katouzian stated Qualcomm had prevented this break up prior to now as a result of its cores have been already very environment friendly.

“We received away with it for some time as a result of our cores when it comes to efficiency per sq. millimeter are very environment friendly. On the finish of the day, you simply maintain including capabilities and increasingly more person experiences are going to demand much more when it comes to the place your efficiency is and the way it advantages itself to your person expertise, and so, we appeared into bifurcating the premium tier, in a means the place folks can modify what they wish to put out into the market doable.”

Qualcomm has but to share any technical particulars in regards to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, however OnePlus China president Li Jie Louis says the chip has a 3nm design and Oryon CPU cores. There’s no phrase on different data, so we’ll have to attend and see the way it differs from the Elite expertise. Both means, OnePlus says it’ll be first to supply a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 telephone.