As we approach Qualcomm's annual Summit, scheduled for October 21-23, 2024, leaks about the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip are intensifying. This next-generation processor, expected to power flagship Android devices like the Samsung Galaxy S25 series, is shaping up to be a powerhouse - but at a significant cost.
Leaked Specifications
Recent leaks suggest the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will come in two variants: SM8750 and SM8750P. The key difference appears to be 5G support, with the P-variant lacking mmWave capabilities. Other notable features include:
- Oryon CPU with Hexagon Tensor Processor for AI applications
- Adreno 8-series GPU supporting up to 3840x2560 resolution and 144Hz refresh rate
- Adreno 8-series VPU with 8K video processing
- LPDDR5 RAM support (contrary to earlier LPDDR6 rumors)
Performance and Pricing
While early benchmarks suggest performance improvements over its predecessor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 may still lag slightly behind Apple's A18 chips found in the iPhone 16 lineup. However, the real shock comes from the reported pricing.
Industry insiders suggest the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 could cost manufacturers between $190 and $240 per chip, with $240 being the more likely figure. This represents a 20% increase over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and is significantly higher than competing chips:
- MediaTek Dimensity 9400: $155
- Apple A18 Pro: $45 (for Apple's internal use)
Reasons for the Price Hike
Several factors contribute to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4's hefty price tag:
- TSMC's second-gen 3nm process: Wafer costs have reportedly doubled from $15,000 to $30,000.
- Qualcomm's custom CPU cores: Development costs for in-house designs vs. licensing Arm cores.
- Profit margins: Unlike Apple, Qualcomm needs to price the chip for sale to third-party manufacturers.
Implications for Smartphone Makers
The high cost of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 could force smartphone manufacturers to make tough decisions. Samsung, for instance, is rumored to be considering the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 for its base Galaxy S25 model in many markets.
As we await official confirmation at the upcoming Qualcomm Summit, it's clear that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will bring impressive performance - but at a premium that may reshape the Android flagship landscape.