The mobile processor race continues to heat up as new information emerges about Qualcomm's next flagship chipset. While the current Snapdragon 8 Elite has only recently made its way into premium Android devices, details about its successor are already beginning to surface, giving us an early glimpse into what could power next year's top smartphones.
Early Specifications Revealed
According to recent leaks from Digital Chat Station on Weibo, Qualcomm's next flagship processor, tentatively named the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 (with model number SM8850), will maintain the same CPU cluster configuration as its predecessor. The chip will reportedly feature a 2+6 layout with two prime cores and six performance cores, mirroring the arrangement found in the current Snapdragon 8 Elite. While the core layout remains unchanged, the new processor will utilize second-generation Oryon CPU cores, suggesting improvements in architecture and efficiency.
Reported Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 Specifications:
- Model number: SM8850
- CPU configuration: 2 prime cores + 6 performance cores
- CPU architecture: Second-generation Oryon cores (possibly ArmV9-based)
- GPU: Adreno 840
- Manufacturing process: TSMC N3P (3nm)
- Architecture extensions: Support for SME1 and SVE2
- Potential clock speed: Performance cores possibly tested at 5.00GHz (up from 4.47GHz)
Manufacturing Process Upgrade
One of the most significant upgrades for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 appears to be its manufacturing process. The leaks indicate that the chipset will be produced using TSMC's more advanced N3P process, a refined version of the 3nm technology. This represents an improvement over the current Snapdragon 8 Elite, which uses TSMC's N3E process. The move to a more advanced manufacturing node typically results in better power efficiency and potentially higher performance within the same thermal envelope.
Graphics Performance Boost
The graphics capabilities of the new chipset are also getting an upgrade. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 will reportedly feature an Adreno 840 GPU, succeeding the current Adreno 830 found in the Snapdragon 8 Elite. While specific performance metrics for the new GPU haven't been shared, the generational upgrade suggests improved graphics rendering capabilities for gaming and other visually demanding applications.
Architecture Advancements
Perhaps the most technically interesting aspect of the leak concerns the architectural foundations of the new chipset. Digital Chat Station mentions that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 will support both SME (Scalable Matrix Extension) and SVE2 (Scalable Vector Extension 2) instruction sets. These extensions are typically associated with the newer ArmV9 architecture and are designed to enhance operations related to machine learning, computer vision, and other complex computational tasks.
The support for SVE2 in particular suggests that the new chipset could be based on the ArmV9 architecture, which would mark a significant upgrade from the ArmV8 architecture used in the current Snapdragon 8 Elite. This architectural shift would bring Qualcomm's flagship processor in line with the latest Arm hardware in terms of security features and extensions.
Performance Expectations
While specific clock speeds haven't been mentioned in the leaks, there are indications that Qualcomm might push frequencies even higher than the already impressive 4.32GHz seen in the current Snapdragon 8 Elite. A previous rumor suggested that the performance cores in the new chipset could be tested at frequencies as high as 5.00GHz, which would represent a substantial increase from the 4.47GHz performance cores in the current model.
The addition of ARM's Scalable Matrix Extension could potentially provide up to a 20 percent boost in multi-core workloads, potentially allowing the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 to compete more effectively against Apple's latest processors.
Thermal Considerations
Given the high clock speeds of the current Snapdragon 8 Elite and reports of overheating in some devices using this chipset, there are hopes that Qualcomm will place greater emphasis on sustained performance and thermal management in the new generation. The move to a more advanced manufacturing process should help in this regard, but real-world performance will depend on how Qualcomm balances raw power with thermal efficiency.
Comparison with Current Snapdragon 8 Elite:
| Feature | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 (Leaked) |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Layout | 2+6 configuration | 2+6 configuration |
| CPU Cores | First-gen Oryon | Second-gen Oryon |
| Architecture | ArmV8 | Likely ArmV9 |
| GPU | Adreno 830 | Adreno 840 |
| Process | TSMC N3E (3nm) | TSMC N3P (3nm) |
| Prime Core Speed | 4.32GHz | Unconfirmed (possibly higher) |
Looking Ahead
With Qualcomm reportedly securing exclusive chip production with TSMC for this generation, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 could potentially come with a higher price tag due to being fabricated at a single foundry. Looking further ahead, the same leaker suggests that Qualcomm plans to move to TSMC's 2nm technology in 2026 for its future flagship processors, continuing the company's push to maintain competitiveness with Apple in the high-performance mobile processor space.
As with all leaks, these specifications should be treated with some caution until officially confirmed by Qualcomm. However, they provide an interesting early look at how the company plans to evolve its flagship mobile platform for the next generation of premium Android devices.