For the last few years, Qualcomm have been releasing Plus models of their flagship processors midway through the year so that smartphone OEM’s could release updated flagships in the second half of the year. Is that going to happen this year?
According to several leaks, things could be different this year. There might be a a Snapdragon 888 Pro on the way but the rumours seem confusing and conflicting, hence making them slightly sketchy.
Digital Chat Station has been the most prominent leaker pushing this rumour and they say that Qualcomm are preparing to release a 4G only version of the Snapdragon 888 with the model number SM8350. The SM8350 model number however is. the model number of the Snapdragon 888 so there might be more to this model number that is missing.
This chip is supposedly ideal for areas without 5G connectivity and might be useful for Huawei because the lack of 5G means that the chip might be able to skirt through the US ban on Huawei. DCS claims that this chip might be used for the upcoming P50 Series.
Certain leaks also suggest that the chip will be called the Snapdragon 888 Pro, even though it has only 4G support which seems a little, strange to say the least.
Of course, an overclocked version of the SD888 would more than likely be a Snapdragon 888 Plus, which Qualcomm has done regularly now. Confusingly, leakers also suggest that an SM8450 could also be in the works and suggest it would be the Snapdragon 888 Plus. However, this is also unlikely because the SM8450 model number is almost certainly reserved for the true follow-up to the SD888.
With the ongoing global chip shortage, there is no saying what could happen in terms of chips so we will have to wait and see how this pans out.
