Last month, Qualcomm unveiled the Snapdragon 8 Elite, but they’re already racing forward with preparations for its successor, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2, expected next year. This proactive approach was hinted at when a unique designation number for the new SoC was unearthed from Xiaomi’s HyperOS software. While we’ve got a few snippets of information about what the 2025 flagship chip might bring, let’s dive into these intriguing details.
According to a recent leak, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 is tagged with the ‘SM8850’ designation. This tidbit was shared on social media by Erencan Yılmaz, indicating that Xiaomi’s HyperOS 2 has been testing the new chip. It’s not uncommon for tech giants like Qualcomm to get a head start on developing their cutting-edge silicon. Nevertheless, it’s noteworthy as the first batch of Snapdragon 8 Elite smartphones is yet to hit the shelves. The presence of the ‘SM8850’ tag could be because HyperOS 2 offers immediate support for this processor, ensuring compatibility with upcoming handsets.
It’s important to temper expectations at this juncture, as details about Qualcomm’s future strategies remain under wraps. For instance, the manufacturing process for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 hasn’t been confirmed. Rumors suggest that Qualcomm might involve Samsung in the supply chain to lower production costs, though initially, speculations labeled the next release as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 due to nomenclature uncertainties.
Speculation is rife that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 might utilize TSMC’s advanced 3nm N3P process, potentially alongside Samsung’s innovative 2nm GAA technology, provided that Samsung achieves satisfactory yields. Additionally, there’s talk of the new processor featuring the same CPU cluster as its predecessor but potentially operating at enhanced clock speeds, paired with SME support to boost both single-core and multi-core prowess.
In essence, the rumor mill is buzzing with various predictions about Qualcomm’s upcoming silicon, but concrete evidence is still elusive. We’ll be on the lookout for more credible updates to paint a clearer picture, so stay tuned for the latest developments in this tech saga.
