Qualcomm’s non-Elite Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 is finally nearing its first real-world outing. While the Elite-branded Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 has already appeared in several Chinese flagships with global rollouts on the horizon, the more affordable non-Elite variant has yet to ship in a phone. That looks set to change soon, with two devices tipped to launch later in November 2025.
According to well-known Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station, one of the first models built around the non-Elite Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 will target raw performance. The leak points to a device with a battery exceeding 8,000 mAh and a super-fast 165 Hz display. Although the name wasn’t explicitly stated, the description lines up with earlier reports about a rumored OnePlus Turbo. Beyond the high-refresh screen and oversized battery, the phone is expected to feature a 6.7-inch OLED panel at 1.5K resolution, a dual rear camera setup anchored by a 50 MP main sensor, and support for 100 W wired charging.
The second Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 phone mentioned is said to be a compact, camera-first device. Highlights reportedly include a periscope telephoto camera and an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. This model is widely believed to be the Vivo S50 Pro mini, which recent leaks suggest will pack a 6,040 mAh battery and a 6.31-inch 1.5K display—rare traits in the shrinking pool of small-screen Android phones.
What to expect from the first non-Elite Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 phones:
– Performance-focused model, likely OnePlus Turbo:
– Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 (non-Elite)
– Battery capacity over 8,000 mAh
– 165 Hz display
– 6.7-inch 1.5K OLED
– Dual rear cameras with 50 MP primary sensor
– Up to 100 W fast charging
– Compact camera-centric model, likely Vivo S50 Pro mini:
– Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 (non-Elite)
– 6.31-inch 1.5K display
– Periscope telephoto camera
– Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor
– 6,040 mAh battery
If accurate, these launches will give the non-Elite Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 a compelling debut, spanning two distinct audiences: power users who want extreme battery life and ultra-high refresh rates, and mobile photographers who prefer a smaller phone without sacrificing zoom capabilities. With the Elite-tier 8 Gen 5 already anchoring premium flagships, the non-Elite variant looks poised to power more accessible “sub-flagship” phones that still deliver top-tier performance and features.
As with all early leaks, final specs and branding could change at launch, but the timeline points to an imminent reveal before the end of November 2025.
