Just when you thought Qualcomm chipset naming couldn’t get any more confusing, a new rumor details the upcoming Snapdragon 800 series, and well, it sounds a bit more complicated. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 — which was long rumored for a Snapdragon Summit debut on September 23 may be reaching those in name only. Instead, leaks indicate Qualcomm could rename it the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and that leaves fans and industry watchers scratching their heads.
Rumor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 Rationale
Qualcomm’s top end chipset at the moment is the Snapdragon 8 Elite, so it’s only natural many people were expecting its successor to be called the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2. But according to tipster Digital Chat Station the new chip (codenamed SM8850) is probably going to be sold under the name Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.
Now, while we appreciate the ambitiousness of walking it, why the Gen 2 to Gen 5 numbered leap should be cause for suspicion over Qualcomm’s motives. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 could also make sense for the San Diego-based company to align all of the naming of its lineup with and was recently spotted powering the REDMAGIC 11 Pro on Geekbench 6. That SoC will probably be a toned-down but cheaper to-make option for smartphone manufacturers that want flagship-level internals but without the flagship price tag.
But why Gen 5 Elite for Snapdragon 8 instead of Gen 2?
Jumping directly to Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 could be Qualcomm’s way to avoid confusion between standard Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 series and premium Snapdragon 8 Elite line. Qualcomm synchs the names of the chips so both look to be from the same generation but also provides some clear performance differentiations.
However, this action may muddle the waters for enthusiasts who track Qualcomm chipset roadmaps. Going from Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 to Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 seems like a sizable jump, and for good reason: “Gen 3” and “Gen 4” apparently never existed.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 Performance Expectations
Regardless of the name that ends up being bestowed upon it, what is undeniable is that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 (or Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5) will pack some next-level horsepower. Qualcomm is expected to include significant CPU and GPU enhancements, fine-grained AI, and more efficiency. The chipset is going to be coupled with Qualcomm latest modem and enables flagship smartphones due to be launched through 2025 and 2026.
What Snapdragon 8 Gen 5?
The other key driver will be the standard Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 itself alongside the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2. It’ll serve as a sort of more accessible version of the Elite model, bringing premium performance within reach of a wider range of devices. An early Geekbench listing hints that it will still be quite powerful while remaining affordable for manufacturers.
Treat This Rumor with Caution
While the leaks are an exciting teaser, Qualcomm has so far not officially confirmed the name of the chipset. Despite some correct leaks from Digital Chat Station, this should be taken with some caution, as not every forecast ends up turning out to be right. The Snapdragon Summit is coming up this September 23, so fans who doubt the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2’s identity as Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 won’t have to wait long to find out.
FAQ
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 — This is Qualcomm’s next-generation flagship chipset that is going to replace the Snapdragon 8 Elite with better performance as well as efficiency.
According to reports, Qualcomm can consider renaming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 to Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 so that it can match Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 series and avoid confusion for customers.
The chipset is likely to be announced by Qualcomm on September 23 at its Snapdragon Summit.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 (or Gen 5) will be the high-end variant, while Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 will be a more cheaper but powerful alternative.
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