Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 Unveiled: Qualcomm Snapdragon “SM8635” Emerges with Potential Identity

In the ever-evolving landscape of smartphone technology, whispers and leaks often precede official announcements, offering tantalizing glimpses into what’s next in the pipeline. The latest buzz surrounds a mysterious Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset, Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 codenamed “SM8635,” which surfaced earlier this month courtesy of the renowned smartphone tech tipster, Digital Chat Station.

According to Digital Chat Station’s revelations, the enigmatic SM8635 has purportedly posted an impressive AnTuTu score of approximately 1.7 million. Initial specifications hint at a powerhouse configuration, featuring a Cortex-X4 core clocked at 2.9 GHz and an integrated Adreno 735 GPU. Additionally, it’s reported to utilize TSMC’s cutting-edge 4 nm process node, aligning with the trend seen in the latest Snapdragon flagship chips.

Speculation initially swirled around potential identities for the SM8635, with early conjectures suggesting it could manifest as either the Snapdragon 8s Gen 2 or a Lite variant of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. However, recent leaks from the Geekbench Browser suggest a different trajectory. The testing of a Realme “RMX3851” Android device on Geekbench 6.2.2 unveiled specifications strikingly similar to those of the SM8635, indicating a possible association with the upcoming “Snapdragon 8s Gen 3.”

The Realme device purportedly features a 3.01 GHz “Big” Core clock, Adreno 735 GPU, and a 1+3+4 cluster configuration, mirroring the speculated attributes of the SM8635. Given Realme’s reputation for producing value-oriented smartphones with near-flagship specifications, it’s plausible that the SM8635 could serve as a trimmed-down alternative to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (SM8650-AB).

However, hands-on experience with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3-powered devices by outlets like Wccftech suggests a potential performance gap between the SM8635 and its elder sibling. While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 reportedly achieves significantly higher scores in both single and multi-core tests, the alleged Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 falls short, indicating a performance discrepancy that may require further optimization.

The debate surrounding the true identity of the SM8635 continues to intensify, with conflicting reports adding layers of intrigue. Notably, industry insider Roland Quandt has posited an alternate theory, suggesting that a similarly configured “SM7675” SoC could find its place within the Snapdragon 7 Gen family, further muddying the waters of speculation.

As enthusiasts eagerly await official confirmation from Qualcomm or additional insider leaks, the mystery surrounding the SM8635 serves as a captivating prelude to what promises to be an exciting chapter in the ongoing saga of smartphone innovation. Whether it ultimately debuts as the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 or takes on an entirely different identity, one thing remains certain: anticipation is running high for Qualcomm’s next groundbreaking chipset.

Sources: Geekbench Browser, Mochamad Farido Fanani Tweet, Wccftech, GSMArena