Qualcomm's next-generation mobile chipset is generating significant buzz in the tech world as new leaks reveal substantial upgrades over its predecessor. The upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 is shaping up to be a powerhouse with improved architecture, advanced manufacturing processes, and support for cutting-edge memory standards, potentially positioning Qualcomm to challenge Apple's dominance in mobile silicon performance.
TSMC's Advanced 3nm Manufacturing Process
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 is reportedly being manufactured on TSMC's third-generation 3nm process (N3P), marking a significant upgrade from the N3E process used in the current Snapdragon 8 Elite. This advanced fabrication technology is expected to deliver substantial improvements in both power efficiency and raw performance capabilities. The move to a more refined manufacturing process aligns with Qualcomm's strategy of pushing mobile computing boundaries while maintaining reasonable power consumption profiles for flagship smartphones.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 Rumored Specifications:
- Manufacturing Process: TSMC's third-generation 3nm process (N3P)
- Cache: 16MB per cluster (up from 12MB in previous generation)
- Memory Support: LPDDR6 with LPDDR5X backward compatibility
- CPU: Improved "Pegasus" cores tested at 5.00GHz
- CPU Configuration: Two Prime cores and six Performance cores
- GPU: Adreno 840 clocked at 1.35GHz (up from 1.1GHz)
- Performance Improvement: Approximately 30% based on initial testing
- Rumored AnTuTu Score: 3.8 million points (compared to current top score of ~2.7 million)
- Additional Features: Support for ARM's Scalable Matrix Extension (SME)
Significant Cache Size Increase
According to information shared by Digital Chat Station on Weibo, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 will feature a notable increase in cache size compared to its predecessor. While the current Snapdragon 8 Elite includes 12MB of L2 cache per cluster (totaling 24MB), the upcoming chipset is rumored to boost this to 16MB per cluster, potentially resulting in 32MB of L2 cache overall. This 33.3% increase in cache size should significantly improve data access speeds and overall system responsiveness, particularly for memory-intensive applications and multitasking scenarios.
Next-Generation Memory Support
In a forward-looking move, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 will reportedly support LPDDR6 RAM, the next evolution in mobile memory technology. This addition would make it one of the first mobile platforms to embrace this newer, faster, and more efficient memory standard. However, maintaining backward compatibility with LPDDR5X memory gives device manufacturers flexibility in their component selection, allowing them to balance cutting-edge performance against production costs depending on their target market and price point.
Performance Improvements and Benchmark Expectations
Early testing results suggest the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 could deliver approximately 30% better performance compared to current offerings. While the specific comparison point isn't explicitly stated, separate benchmark rumors paint an even more impressive picture. Previous leaks mentioned potential AnTuTu scores reaching 3.8 million points, which would represent a roughly 40% improvement over today's leading devices that score around 2.7 million points with the current Snapdragon 8 Elite.
Enhanced CPU Architecture
The performance gains appear to stem from multiple architectural improvements. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 is expected to utilize improved Pegasus cores, reportedly tested at speeds reaching 5.00GHz. The chipset will likely maintain a similar CPU cluster arrangement as its predecessor but with significantly enhanced capabilities. Additionally, the SoC is said to support ARM's Scalable Matrix Extension (SME), potentially delivering up to 20% better performance in multi-core workloads—possibly enough to challenge Apple's M4 chip in certain scenarios.
GPU Advancements
Graphics processing is also receiving attention in this upgrade cycle. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 is expected to feature the Adreno 840 GPU, clocked at approximately 1.35GHz—a notable increase from the Adreno 830's 1.1GHz in the current generation. Combined with the improved manufacturing process and larger cache, mobile gaming and computational tasks should see substantial performance improvements.
Release Timeline
While these leaks provide an exciting glimpse into Qualcomm's next flagship mobile platform, official confirmation remains pending. Industry observers expect Qualcomm to unveil the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 at its annual Snapdragon Summit later this year, where complete specifications and performance metrics will be formally announced. Until then, these rumors, while promising, should be approached with appropriate caution.