Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Officially Confirmed Name as Next-Gen Flagship Processor for 2025 Smartphones

For weeks, rumors were swirling that Qualcomm would tweak its naming strategy for its next flagship processor. Don McGuire, Qualcomm’s Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, has officially put the speculation to rest by confirming that the company’s upcoming SoC will be called the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.

This new processor will succeed the 2024 Snapdragon 8 Elite and is set to power the next generation of flagship Android smartphones in 2025 and beyond.

Why Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5?

McGuire clarified that Qualcomm hasn’t actually “skipped” any generations. Instead, the Gen 5 branding reflects the fact that this will be the fifth generation of the Snapdragon 8 series, dating back to the original Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.

“Think of it like this: Gen 5 isn’t just a number. It’s a signal that this platform leads the family forward.” McGuire explained.

He also emphasized why the “Elite” branding continues with this release:

• The name is reserved for Qualcomm’s most advanced platforms.
• It represents cutting-edge performance, innovation, and user experience.
• It’s meant to act as a promise to consumers and manufacturers that the chipset pushes boundaries in every aspect.

Qualcomm believes this new naming strategy will simplify its product roadmap, making it easier for both smartphone makers and users to identify where each chipset stands in the lineup.

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5: Early Performance and Specs

While Qualcomm hasn’t officially revealed detailed specifications yet, leaks and benchmarks suggest big upgrades:

• Antutu benchmark: Over 4 million points, which is about a 56% jump over the Snapdragon 8 Elite.
• Fabrication: Built on TSMC’s 3nm process.
• CPU architecture: Likely octa-core setup with 2x prime Oryon cores + 6x performance Oryon cores.
• GPU: Expected to feature the new Adreno 840.
• Memory support: LPDDR5X / LPDDR6 RAM.

If these details hold true, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 will offer massive improvements in power efficiency, graphics, and AI processing setting the stage for 2025 flagship devices like the Xiaomi 17 series, Samsung Galaxy S26, and OnePlus 13 Pro.

Snapdragon Summit 2025 Launch

Qualcomm will unveil the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 officially at the upcoming Snapdragon Summit 2025 on September 23. That’s when we’ll learn the full technical breakdown, AI features, and which smartphone brands will be first to adopt the chipset.

Key Takeaways

• Confirmed name: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
• Launch date: September 23, 2025 at Snapdragon Summit
• Performance boost: ~56% higher Antutu score than Snapdragon 8 Elite
• Specs (expected): 3nm process, Oryon CPU cores, Adreno 840 GPU, LPDDR5X/LPDDR6 memory
• Target devices: 2025 Android flagships (Xiaomi, Samsung, OnePlus, etc.)

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 isn’t just a new processor it’s Qualcomm’s statement that it intends to stay ahead in the premium mobile chip race. With Apple’s A19 Pro also on the horizon, 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive years for smartphone performance.