Qualcomm officially introduced the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset during the Snapdragon Summit 2024 in Hawaii, setting a new benchmark for mobile performance, gaming, AI capabilities, and more. This cutting-edge platform will power the next wave of flagship devices, including Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S25 series. The announcement confirms that at least one variant of the Galaxy S25 will feature this high-performance chipset, with Samsung being one of Qualcomm’s key partners to use the Snapdragon 8 Elite in their devices.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Confirmed for Samsung Galaxy S25 Series
For months, there has been speculation regarding the chipset selection for Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series, set to launch in early 2025. Samsung had previously taken a split approach with the Galaxy S24 series, using the Exynos 2400 for some markets and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for others. This led to rumors that the Galaxy S25 might follow a similar pattern, with Samsung possibly debuting the Exynos 2500 for select models.
However, recent reports indicate that Samsung’s production yields for the Exynos 2500, which is built on a 3nm process, have been lower than expected. This may prevent Samsung from manufacturing enough units to meet global demand. As a result, it’s possible that the entire Galaxy S25 lineup could exclusively use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. Alternatively, Samsung may explore other options like MediaTek chips for its base and mid-tier models, though this remains unconfirmed.
Nonetheless, Samsung’s inclusion in Qualcomm’s list of partners set to release Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered devices in the coming months strongly suggests that the chipset will play a major role in the Galaxy S25 lineup, either across all variants or in the high-end models like the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite: Key Features and Performance Boosts
The Snapdragon 8 Elite marks a significant step forward for Qualcomm, particularly with the inclusion of the Oryon CPU, which debuted in PCs earlier this year. The Oryon architecture brings numerous improvements in processing power and efficiency, making it a perfect fit for high-performance Android smartphones.
Key specs of the Snapdragon 8 Elite include:
- CPU Architecture: The chipset features a second-generation Oryon CPU with 2 Prime cores clocked at 4.32 GHz and 6 custom-designed Performance cores at 3.53 GHz. These cores are optimized for mobile devices, offering swift and efficient performance. A total of 24MB of cache (12MB per core cluster) enables extremely fast data access.
- No Efficiency Cores: Interestingly, the Snapdragon 8 Elite does away with Efficiency cores, a shift from previous generations. Qualcomm believes that the advanced Performance cores now provide the best balance between power and energy consumption.
- “Instant Wake” Technology: A new feature of the Oryon CPU is “Instant Wake,” which reduces the need for frequent power cycling by eliminating the typical reset process during core activation. This allows for smoother performance transitions and more efficient power usage.
Graphics and AI Enhancements
In terms of graphics, the Snapdragon 8 Elite features an upgraded Adreno GPU with a new sliced architecture that provides a 40% boost in speed and a 35% improvement in ray tracing performance compared to its predecessor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. These advancements translate into better gaming experiences and graphical capabilities on flagship smartphones.
Qualcomm has also made strides in power efficiency, with the CPU offering a 44% improvement, while the GPU shows a 40% increase in energy efficiency. These savings lead to longer battery life—up to 2.5 additional hours of gaming compared to the previous generation.
The AI capabilities of the Snapdragon 8 Elite have been enhanced as well, thanks to the integration of the CPU, GPU, and NPU into Qualcomm’s AI Engine. The Oryon CPU aids in starting AI tasks, while the Hexagon NPU is 45% faster and more energy-efficient, significantly improving AI-related performance. This allows for advanced features like ultra-low latency inference and better handling of heavy AI workloads.
Cutting-Edge Camera and Display Features
The Snapdragon 8 Elite also brings new capabilities to smartphone photography and video recording. Qualcomm’s AI-driven ISP (image signal processor) integrates with the NPU to support features like a 30FPS on-device Video Object Eraser and the ability to capture detailed 4K60 videos in low-light environments. Moreover, the chipset includes Truepic technology, which authenticates images and videos as real, using the C2PA standard to prevent AI-generated fakes.
For memory, the Snapdragon 8 Elite supports dual-channel LP-DDR5x memory of up to 24GB, making it better suited for generative AI applications. The chipset also supports high-resolution displays, with a 4K resolution at 60Hz and QHD+ resolution at 240Hz, up from the 144Hz supported by previous models.
What’s Next: The Launch Timeline
Samsung is expected to be among the first manufacturers to launch devices featuring the Snapdragon 8 Elite, with the first flagship phones powered by this chipset likely arriving in the coming weeks. In addition to Samsung, other manufacturers like ASUS, Honor, OnePlus, OPPO, and Xiaomi will also release Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered devices soon.
The inclusion of Samsung as a key partner for the Snapdragon 8 Elite is particularly noteworthy, as this is a shift from previous years when the company wasn’t explicitly mentioned in Qualcomm’s early chipset announcements.
Conclusion
The Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, with its Oryon CPU and host of advanced features, is poised to revolutionize the mobile industry by providing unparalleled performance, power efficiency, and AI capabilities. Samsung’s decision to use this chipset for at least one variant of the Galaxy S25 series highlights the growing collaboration between the two tech giants. As the launch date approaches, it’s clear that the Galaxy S25 series, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, will set new standards for mobile performance, gaming, and AI innovation.
