Qualcomm has consistently adhered to a sequential naming strategy for its Snapdragon processors, which many assumed would continue with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. However, a recent teaser for the Xiaomi 15 launch has provided an intriguing revelation about the upcoming System on Chip (SoC). It seems that Qualcomm is pivoting to a new naming convention, similar to the branding seen with the Snapdragon X Elite in Windows-powered notebooks.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will officially be named the Snapdragon 8 Elite, marking a departure from the traditional chronological naming schemes. This change aligns the new SoC more closely with the high-performance, premium category symbolized by the ‘Elite’ moniker.
Originally, the successor to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 was expected to be named Snapdragon 8cx Gen 4. However, the tech world was introduced to the Snapdragon X Elite instead. Now, another significant shift is underway for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, which could set a new trend in Qualcomm’s branding. According to a teaser for the Chinese market, the launch of the Xiaomi 15 series on October 23 will coincide with the unveiling of the Snapdragon 8 Elite. This timeline suggests that we will see Qualcomm’s first 3nm SoC before this key launch event.
While this new naming scheme might initially seem perplexing, it indicates that Qualcomm is striving to create a clear distinction for its flagship products by adding the ‘Elite’ tag. Less powerful variants of the SoC might adopt the ‘Plus’ designation, implying a tiered approach to their naming strategy.
There’s also speculation that Qualcomm plans to release a toned-down version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite, potentially named the Snapdragon 8 Plus. Furthermore, the new naming convention might extend to specific branded chipsets, such as a possible ‘Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy’ for Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series.
Although these developments have yet to be officially confirmed, the unveiling of the Snapdragon 8 Elite is just around the corner. Tech enthusiasts won’t have to wait long, as the official announcement is expected next month, promising more clarity on Qualcomm’s future naming and product strategy. Keep an eye out for updates as we get closer to the full revelation.
