Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 and a New High-End Chip on the Way from Qualcomm
Qualcomm is set to host its next major launch event in late September, where the company is widely expected to unveil its next-generation flagship processor, the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 (model number SM8850). However, new reports from Chinese tech leakers suggest a second, unannounced chipset may also be revealed.
The new chip, currently referred to by its model number SM8845, is rumoured to be positioned as a high-end offering that sits between the Snapdragon 8s Gen 5 and the new 8 Elite 2. While an official name has not been confirmed, industry speculation points to it being called the “Snapdragon 8 Plus,” a name previously used for mid-cycle refreshes.
Sources indicate the SM8845’s performance will be on par with the original Snapdragon 8 Elite from last year. Like its predecessor, it is said to feature an all-big-core CPU configuration with Qualcomm’s custom-developed cores. A key differentiator, however, is that the SM8845 will be manufactured on a newer process and will borrow some of the cutting-edge peripherals from the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, leading to a slight but notable improvement in efficiency.
This new chipset is already generating buzz as a potential core component for the next wave of “flagship killer” devices. According to the prolific leaker Digital Chat Station, major smartphone manufacturers including Oppo, OnePlus, and vivo are planning to use the SM8845 in their upcoming phones. These devices are rumoured to feature exceptionally large batteries, with capacities reaching up to 8,000 mAh.
The rumoured release of the SM8845 raises questions about the future of the original Snapdragon 8 Elite. With the new chip offering comparable performance on a more advanced manufacturing process, it will be interesting to see if Qualcomm chooses to phase out its previous flagship SoC.
