Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5: Qualcomm’s Latest Mobile Platform

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is Qualcomm Technologies’ newly revealed flagship processors, introduced at the Snapdragon Summit Global Highlights Meet in Goa, India. This mobile platform is touted as the fastest mobile system-on-a-chip globally, alongside the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme and X2 Elite processors crafted specifically for Windows PCs.

Overview of Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 has been engineered to elevate mobile performance, efficiency, and on-device artificial intelligence. It incorporates the third-generation Qualcomm Oryon CPU, promising a 20% boost in performance. Additionally, the upgraded Adreno GPU architecture and enhanced Hexagon NPU are set to optimise AI workloads. This platform further supports Advanced Professional Video recording, facilitating professional-quality video production directly on smartphones.

Adoption by Leading Manufacturers

Qualcomm has confirmed that the latest mobile platform will be embraced by several prominent smartphone brands, such as Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Oppo, Vivo, and iQOO, with device launches anticipated in the near future.

Details of Snapdragon X2 Elite Series

For the personal computer market, Qualcomm presented the Snapdragon X2 Elite series, designed to enhance premium Windows 11 laptops. The X2 Elite Extreme, being the flagship option, delivers up to 80 trillion operations per second of AI processing, hence regarded as the fastest neural processing unit for laptops. This series claims to provide a CPU performance that is up to 75% faster than competitors at similar power levels.

Performance Enhancements

According to Qualcomm, the Snapdragon X2 Elite aims to enhance multitasking capabilities, yielding a performance increase of 31% while consuming 43% less power compared to its predecessor. Devices featuring the new X2 Elite series are anticipated to be available in the early half of 2026.

Statements from Qualcomm Leadership

Savi Soin, Senior Vice President and President of Qualcomm India, remarked that with the introduction of Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and Snapdragon X2 Elite platforms, the company is transforming the possibilities within mobile and PC landscapes. These advancements signify a significant milestone for digital transformation in India, by foregrounding personalised AI, unrivalled performance, and superior power efficiency.

Upcoming Device Integrations

Numerous smartphone brands have also disclosed their plans to integrate the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 into upcoming models. iQOO has confirmed the iQOO 15 will feature this chipset, while OnePlus mentioned that the forthcoming OnePlus 15 will also adopt the processor. Realme announced that the Realme GT 8 Pro will be equipped with this platform, and Xiaomi is set to incorporate it into the Xiaomi 17 series. All these devices are expected to arrive in India very soon.

Qualcomm has indicated that these new platforms are designed to propel the integration of AI in both mobile and PC ecosystems, while enhancing efficiency and performance for both consumers and businesses.