Qualcomm is preparing to expand its premium mobile processor lineup with a more affordable option for upper mid-range smartphones. Following the success of the flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, the company is now poised to introduce the Snapdragon 8s Elite, a sub-flagship SoC designed to bring high-end performance to more accessible price points.
Launch Timeline
According to reliable tipster Yogesh Brar, the Snapdragon 8s Elite is set to launch soon with the first phones featuring this new chip expected to hit the market in April 2025. This timeline represents a slight adjustment from earlier rumors that suggested a March 2025 launch for the processor. Brar indicates there will be plenty of phones sporting it in the initial wave of releases, suggesting strong manufacturer adoption of this new chipset.
Technical Specifications
The Snapdragon 8s Elite is expected to utilize ARM architecture rather than Qualcomm's custom Oryon cores found in the flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite. According to leaks from January 2025, the processor will likely feature an eight-core configuration with a Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.21GHz, three Cortex-A720 performance cores running at 3.01GHz, two efficiency-oriented Cortex-A720 cores at 2.80GHz, and two additional efficiency cores operating at 2.02GHz.
Expected Snapdragon 8s Elite Specifications:
- Prime core: 1× Cortex-X4 @ 3.21GHz
- Performance cores: 3× Cortex-A720 @ 3.01GHz
- Efficiency cores: 2× Cortex-A720 @ 2.80GHz + 2× efficiency cores @ 2.02GHz
- Performance positioning: Between Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- Expected first device launches: April 2025
- Rumored initial manufacturers: iQOO and Redmi
Performance Expectations
In terms of performance positioning, the Snapdragon 8s Elite is anticipated to slot between the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processors. This strategic placement in Qualcomm's lineup would provide manufacturers with a compelling option for devices that need significant processing power without the premium price tag associated with the top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite chip.
Manufacturer Adoption
While Qualcomm has not officially confirmed which smartphone brands will implement the new chipset, industry rumors suggest that iQOO and Redmi may be among the first manufacturers to release devices powered by the Snapdragon 8s Elite. These brands typically focus on delivering high-performance specifications at competitive price points, aligning well with the positioning of this new processor.
Market Impact
The introduction of the Snapdragon 8s Elite represents Qualcomm's continued strategy to segment its high-end processor lineup, providing options at various price points. This approach allows smartphone manufacturers to create more diverse product portfolios with different performance-to-price ratios, potentially expanding the availability of near-flagship experiences to more consumers.
Official Confirmation
It's worth noting that all details regarding the Snapdragon 8s Elite remain unofficial at this time. Neither Qualcomm nor its OEM partners have formally announced the chip's specifications, performance capabilities, or release timeline. The industry will likely receive official confirmation in the coming weeks as the reported April device launches approach.