The Snapdragon 8 Elite is a high-end mobile platform (System on a Chip or SoC) designed for premium smartphones and tablets. It's manufactured by Qualcomm, a leading global semiconductor company. The Snapdragon 8 Elite features a custom-built Qualcomm Oryon CPU, which uses an ARM-based architecture. The platform aims to deliver high performance, enhanced AI capabilities, and improved power efficiency. Qualcomm has unveiled multiple generations of this product, including the Snapdragon 8 Elite, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6.
Key features of the Snapdragon 8 Elite platform include the Qualcomm Oryon CPU for faster processing and improved power efficiency, and the Qualcomm Adreno GPU for enhanced graphics. It also boasts a Qualcomm AI Engine with a Hexagon NPU for advanced AI tasks, and a Snapdragon X80 5G Modem-RF System for fast 5G connectivity. The platform supports features like AI-powered camera capabilities, advanced connectivity options like Wi-Fi 7, and Snapdragon Elite Gaming features for mobile gaming. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, for example, clocks in at 4.6GHz, has a 23% improved graphics performance and 20% better GPU power efficiency. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 may feature Heat Pass Block (HPB) cooling technology and support LPDDR6 RAM and UFS 5.0 storage.
While the exact pricing varies and depends on factors such as the specific phone model, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is estimated to cost manufacturers between $240 and $280 per unit. This is more expensive than previous generations. As for availability, devices powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite are already available. Several manufacturers, including Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, and Realme, have released or are preparing to launch smartphones using this platform. Examples of phones using the Snapdragon 8 Elite include the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, Motorola Razr Ultra 2025, and OnePlus 13.