Qualcomm has formally launched its new flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and though the primary units with the chip are anticipated to launch at present – the Xiaomi 17 sequence – we might have to attend for the Samsung Galaxy S26 to get one key improve.
In addition to varied efficiency upgrades and the promise of higher AI, the 8 Elite Gen 5 is the primary platform to come back with the Superior Skilled Video (APV) codec.
That is essential as a result of whereas the iPhone has been the crème de la crème of video recording on telephones for a very long time, Android might take an enormous step to problem that with APV, in addition to crushing it in benchmarks.
The codec guarantees ‘professional-level video manufacturing’ together with ‘groundbreaking’ AI digicam know-how. Qualcomm says it may possibly seize “near-lossless” video high quality and unlocks extra detailed and spectacular post-production changes for higher outcomes.
What I wasn’t anticipating was to attend many months for this tech to achieve the arms of shoppers.
Chris Martin / Foundry
As talked about earlier, the Xiaomi 17 sequence is ready to be introduced as the primary Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 units, however it seems they is perhaps lacking APV.
Throughout an Elite Expertise Q&A, Judd Heape, VP of product administration at Qualcomm, was requested after we’d see units arrive with APV onboard and right here’s what he needed to say.
“I don’t know which OEM, however I anticipate it to be January 2026,”
This implies that not solely will Xiaomi’s new smartphones arrive with out the foremost function, the OnePlus 15 will, too.
The date talked about by Heape strains up with when Samsung is anticipated to launch the Galaxy S26 sequence (which Samsung hinted will get the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5), so primarily based on his remark, these would be the first Android telephones to reach with the Superior Skilled Video codec.
I requested Heape in a later Q&A session why this was the case and obtained this response:
“With these items you must wait and see and I can’t disclose which OEM goes to deliver out APV, however it will likely be coming,” including that “I feel the secure guess is 2026.”
It appears fairly locked in for subsequent yr, fairly than the primary wave of Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 units, and although APV is a Samsung-developed know-how, it was unclear, till now, when it might arrive on units. The agency holding the royalty-free codec for its personal flagships appears truthful sufficient, although.
Qualcomm paid for my journey, airfare, and meals to journey to its Snapdragon Expertise Summit. The corporate didn’t ask for or exert management over Tech Advisor’s content material.