It has been claimed that Qualcomm is working on a new processor version based on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 platform. According to information shared by Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station on Weibo, the company plans to launch a new variant that is expected to be more affordable than the current model before the end of the year. It is stated that the chip, with the model number SM8850-1-AB, will be very close to the standard Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in terms of performance.
According to the shared information, the results of the new version in Geekbench 6 tests will be largely similar to the current Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. This indicates that Qualcomm has prepared a lower-cost alternative without seriously compromising performance. Details regarding the technical specifications of the processor, clock speeds or whether there are any differences in the core structure have not yet been shared. Despite this, the change in model number indicates that the chip will have a different positioning than the current version.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 family may continue to expand
According to the information provided by Digital Chat Station, the new processor with the model number SM8850-1-AB will be used in smartphones priced under 4,000 yuan in China. This price level, which corresponds to approximately 590 US dollars at the current exchange rate, indicates that Qualcomm has developed the new variant by targeting more accessible flagship phones. Therefore, the new version is expected to be offered to manufacturers as a lower-cost option compared to the standard Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.
As of today, there are multiple variants in the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 family. While the standard model comes with the code SM8850-AC, the SM8850-5-AC model has seven CPU cores instead of eight. This version is preferred in Oppo’s Find N6 model. On the other hand, Samsung uses a special version coded SM8850-1-AD in the Galaxy S26 series and Galaxy Z Fold8 models. If the information in the leak is correct, SM8850-1-AB will be the fourth different variant in the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 family.
It is noteworthy that Qualcomm has offered different versions of the same flagship platform to different manufacturers and product categories in recent years. This approach allows different processor configurations to be prepared for foldable phones, thinly designed models or optimizations specific to certain manufacturers. Thus, manufacturers can establish the balance between performance, power consumption and cost that suits their needs.
In addition, it is not known yet which smartphones the new version will be used on. Despite this, it will not be a surprise if manufacturers that stand out with their price-oriented flagship models show interest in this processor. While Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 is expected to be more costly, it seems possible that some brands can offer more competitive prices by choosing this new variant that largely maintains the performance level.
For now, Qualcomm has not made an official statement on the subject. Therefore, all information about the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 variant is based on leaks. Details such as the technical specifications of the processor, which manufacturers will use it and the official launch date are expected to become clear in the coming period. Current information shows that Qualcomm may continue to expand its flagship processor family to appeal to different price segments.
Join Channel