Qualcomm Set to Rename Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 to Snapdragon 8 Elite Ahead of Xiaomi 15 Launch

Qualcomm has long followed a chronological naming scheme for its Snapdragon mobile chipsets, with each new iteration building upon the last. Until now, the expectation for the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 was that it would continue this tradition, directly succeeding the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. However, new information, revealed through a teaser for Xiaomi’s upcoming 15 series, suggests that Qualcomm is set to take a different route with the naming of its latest high-end system-on-chip (SoC), branding it as the “Snapdragon 8 Elite.” This shift draws immediate parallels to the Snapdragon X Elite, which was introduced for Windows-powered notebooks.

Breaking Tradition: The Name Change to Snapdragon 8 Elite

Before the unveiling of the Snapdragon X Elite, there was widespread speculation that Qualcomm’s next Windows notebook chip would be named the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 4, keeping in line with its established naming conventions. However, the company surprised everyone by abandoning that approach, opting for the “Snapdragon X Elite” name. This rebranding seemed to hint at a new strategy by Qualcomm for its top-tier products, and the latest leak from Xiaomi’s 15 series teaser strongly indicates that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will also adopt this “Elite” moniker.

According to the Xiaomi 15 teaser, the Snapdragon 8 Elite will debut alongside the Chinese smartphone range, which is set to launch on October 23, 2024. This likely means Qualcomm will officially reveal the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC shortly before the Xiaomi event. This potential name change for Qualcomm’s flagship mobile SoC could lead to some confusion, especially as the company’s notebook chip and mobile processors begin to share similar branding. However, it appears that Qualcomm is making the “Elite” name a hallmark of its most powerful and advanced silicon offerings across different product lines.

Snapdragon 8 Elite: Qualcomm’s First 3nm Mobile Chip

The Snapdragon 8 Elite is expected to be Qualcomm’s first mobile processor built on TSMC’s advanced 3nm process node, promising major leaps in both performance and efficiency over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. While detailed specifications of the chipset have yet to be officially revealed, it’s widely anticipated that the SoC will come equipped with the company’s latest Arm CPU cores, improved GPU, AI engine, and next-generation modem technology. These upgrades are likely to offer enhanced gaming, photography, and battery life performance for flagship smartphones.

With the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s introduction, it’s possible Qualcomm will reserve the “Elite” branding for its highest-end offerings moving forward, including both mobile and desktop platforms. Given that Snapdragon chipsets often serve as benchmarks for Android performance, the Snapdragon 8 Elite is poised to continue Qualcomm’s legacy of delivering cutting-edge hardware.

A Tiered Strategy: “Plus” Variant and Galaxy-Specific SoC?

There are also reports suggesting Qualcomm is planning to introduce a slightly slower variant of the Snapdragon 8 Elite. This version could adopt the name “Snapdragon 8 Plus,” following a pattern seen with previous generation chipsets where the “Plus” moniker indicated a refined version of the flagship SoC with incremental improvements, often released later in the product cycle.

Additionally, it’s speculated that Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S25 series may feature a custom version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite, potentially branded as “Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy.” This wouldn’t be the first time Qualcomm has partnered with Samsung to create a chipset tailored for the Galaxy line. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy offered higher clock speeds compared to the standard variant, and it seems Qualcomm may continue this approach with the new Elite series, offering even more fine-tuned performance for Samsung’s devices.

What’s Next: Official Launch Expected Soon

As the Xiaomi 15 series is set to debut on October 23, Qualcomm is expected to hold its official announcement for the Snapdragon 8 Elite sometime earlier in the month. This will provide the first comprehensive look at the new SoC, its specifications, and the full reasoning behind Qualcomm’s rebranding efforts. While the shift in naming may cause initial confusion, it signals Qualcomm’s commitment to differentiating its flagship processors with the “Elite” title, marking them as distinct products within their respective categories.

For now, details remain sparse, but with the official reveal just around the corner, it won’t be long before we get a clearer picture of what the Snapdragon 8 Elite will bring to the table. Whether Qualcomm plans to continue with this new naming strategy in future generations remains to be seen, but the Snapdragon 8 Elite could represent a new era for Qualcomm’s mobile SoCs, focused on premium experiences and high-performance capabilities across a range of devices.

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