In abstract
- Qualcomm CEO confirms the primary OEM for subsequent flagship chipset throughout an earnings name
- Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 set for September launch
- One other 8s or 8 Plus mannequin might shake up the mid-range
Qualcomm is anticipated to announce its new flagship processor in September, however we already know which telephones would be the first to reach with it beneath the hood.
Throughout an earnings name, CEO Cristiano Amon talked about the way it had prolonged its partnership with Xiaomi for numerous gadgets, confirming that it will likely be “the primary OEM to launch with our subsequent Snapdragon 8 Elite chip”.
This nearly actually signifies that the Xiaomi 16 sequence would be the first gadgets to formally launch with the Elite 2 – its assumed title, or the ‘SM8850’ for its mannequin quantity.
The lineup, anticipated to encompass the 16, 16 Professional and 16 Extremely, sometimes get a Chinese language launch in October, however there’s an opportunity we might get a sneak peek or affirmation on the upcoming Snapdragon Summit, which is confirmed for 23-25 September.
Amon indicated that AI will probably be a continued focus for the upcoming chip, including that they “count on the vary of on-device agentic AI use circumstances will proceed to develop and reshape the cellular business.”
The draw back for UK and European followers of Xiaomi is that though the Xiaomi 16 sequence may be the primary official telephones with the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, there’s prone to be an extended look ahead to them to launch globally. This might depart the door open for the likes of Asus, Honor and others to get in there first.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
A world launch at MWC in March 2026 is the probably wager, that means many months of clock-watching, so different Elite 2 gadgets are positive to hit cabinets in these markets and the US earlier than that.
Qualcomm’s Chief Monetary Officer, Akash Palkhiwala, mentioned the corporate is “already working with a number of OEMs” with “super curiosity in it”.
This comes as no shock for the reason that 8 Elite reportedly has 124 smartphone designs shipped or introduced utilizing it.
A brand new ‘flagship killer’ as nicely
In different Qualcomm information, it’s rumoured that one other Snapdragon 8 chipset is on the best way and will provide flagship-level efficiency at cheaper costs.
In keeping with leaker Digital Chat Station (DCS), the SM8845 may very well be a really attention-grabbing chip certainly, providing a step up from the unique 8 Elite, but remaining extra inexpensive than the 8 Elite 2.
It’s mentioned to be manufactured on the identical 3nm TSMC course of as these chips and even consists of a number of the similar components because the Elite 2.
This may be filed within the ‘flagship killer’ folder and will make for probably the most highly effective mid-range telephones ever seen, doubtlessly outpacing the likes of the Pixel 10 sequence. DCS says that telephones powered by it are confirmed for Oppo, Honor and Vivo. Some gadgets might even function batteries as big as 8000mAh.
One of many major issues left to find is what it will likely be known as, with Snapdragon 8s Elite or Snapdragon 8 Plus the probably at this stage.
Sources: Android Central | Weibo