Qualcomm has officially unveiled its latest smartphone chip, the Snapdragon 8 Elite. This new chipset, succeeding the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 found in phones like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and OnePlus 12, brings significant advancements and improvements.
While discussions about smartphone chips may not always excite everyone, Qualcomm has introduced compelling features and enhancements with the Snapdragon 8 Elite that are worth noting and anticipating. Let’s delve into the details.
Qualcomm’s new chip has a new name
The new mobile chip from Qualcomm, previously expected to be named Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, has been introduced as the Snapdragon 8 Elite. This naming aligns it with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite laptop chipsets. While the change may seem a bit perplexing moving from Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 to Snapdragon 8 Elite, Qualcomm believes it signifies a substantial upgrade this year. According to Qualcomm’s Chris Patrick, this year’s chip marks a significant milestone for Snapdragon, with a clear distinction before and after its introduction.
Significant Performance Improvements
The Snapdragon 8 Elite showcases significant performance improvements compared to its predecessor. With a focus on performance cores, the new chip ditches efficiency cores in favor of six performance cores and two prime cores, boasting faster clock speeds. The prime cores can reach speeds up to 4.32GHz, a substantial leap from the previous generation. Qualcomm claims a 45% boost in overall CPU performance and a 44% enhancement in CPU power efficiency.
Benchmark tests of the Snapdragon 8 Elite demonstrate notable performance gains. Geekbench results highlight the chip’s superiority over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and even Apple’s A18 chip in multi-core performance. The transition to a full big-core design showcases Qualcomm’s commitment to delivering unprecedented performance and speed.
Moreover, the new Adreno GPU in the Snapdragon 8 Elite utilizes a sliced architecture for improved performance and power efficiency, enabling support for advanced graphic technologies like Unreal Engine 5’s Nanite system.
AI Capabilities and Enhancements
The Snapdragon 8 Elite introduces Qualcomm’s Oryon CPU, enhancing the AI capabilities of the chip. This inclusion in the Qualcomm AI Engine allows for advanced on-device AI features, eliminating the need for cloud processing in various applications.
The chipset’s new ISP brings AI enhancements to photography, including autofocus, auto white balance, and auto exposure improvements. These innovations empower manufacturers to incorporate cutting-edge AI features into their devices, enhancing user experiences.
Anticipation for the Future
The Snapdragon 8 Elite represents a notable advancement in smartphone chip technology, offering significant improvements in performance and efficiency. With the promise of enhanced user experiences and capabilities, the anticipation for devices powered by this chipset in 2025 is palpable.
If the Snapdragon 8 Elite delivers on its promises and surpasses the capabilities of its predecessor, it has the potential to elevate the smartphone experience to new heights. As we eagerly await the arrival of the first devices featuring this groundbreaking chip, the future of mobile technology looks promising.
