Is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 the Fastest Smartphone Chip Yet?
Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 breaks records with 4M+ AnTuTu score. Qualcomm’s Sept. 23 event to unveil details. Xiaomi 16 first to ship.
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Qualcomm is preparing to unveil its next-generation flagship mobile processor, which is already making headlines for its record-breaking benchmark scores. The chip, expected to be introduced at the Snapdragon Summit on Sept. 23, has surpassed the 4 million-point threshold on AnTuTu, setting a new standard for smartphone performance. Current flagship devices typically score between 2.5 and 3 million points.
Industry sources indicate the upcoming processor could be marketed as either the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 or Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, though Qualcomm has yet to confirm its official branding. Reports from Chinese tipster Digital Chat Station suggest the model number SM8850 is linked to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 name, continuing Qualcomm’s history of complex naming conventions.
While speculation builds around its flagship platform, Qualcomm recently introduced the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 for midrange smartphones. Positioned between premium and standard models, this chipset adds to the company’s increasingly layered product lineup. Analysts have pointed out that Qualcomm’s naming system has become harder to follow, particularly across its Snapdragon 7 series.
Xiaomi is expected to be the first manufacturer to launch devices powered by Qualcomm’s new processor. The Xiaomi 16 and 16 Pro are set to debut with the chip, bringing unprecedented performance levels to consumer devices.
Leaked specifications point to two Prime cores running at 4.61 GHz, six high-performance cores at 3.63 GHz, and a new Adreno 840 GPU designed to handle next-generation mobile gaming. The processor is also expected to deliver significant AI advancements, furthering Qualcomm’s emphasis on machine learning capabilities in mobile platforms.
Samsung will reportedly ship a customized version of the flagship chip in its Galaxy S26 lineup. This special edition is rumored to feature Prime cores clocked at 4.74 GHz, giving Samsung a temporary advantage in Android performance rankings. Qualcomm’s close collaboration with Samsung may also extend to an upcoming Snapdragon 8 Plus release, signaling multiple flagship-level offerings within the same year.
The final branding of the processor remains unclear, but its benchmark scores indicate a leap forward for mobile computing power. The official launch on Sept. 23 is expected to clarify naming, availability, and additional technical details.
