Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 3 Leak: 2027 Flagship Concerns
- the Snapdragon 8 Elite series currently powers many top-tier Android phones.
- According to Digital Chat Station, the Qualcomm SM8950 chipset, believed to be the Snapdragon 8 elite Gen 3, could be offered in two variants.
- Apple's iPhone 16 is expected to follow a similar pattern, with the standard models using the A18 processor, while the Pro versions get the A18 Pro.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 3 leak suggests dual-chip strategy
Updated June 12,2025
the Snapdragon 8 Elite series currently powers many top-tier Android phones. However, a new leak suggests the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 3 processor might adopt a dual-version strategy, similar to Apple’s approach with its A-series chips.
According to Digital Chat Station, the Qualcomm SM8950 chipset, believed to be the Snapdragon 8 elite Gen 3, could be offered in two variants. The leaker refers to a perhaps less powerful version as the SM8945.
Apple’s iPhone 16 is expected to follow a similar pattern, with the standard models using the A18 processor, while the Pro versions get the A18 Pro. While both share the same CPU, the Pro variant boasts more cache and a more powerful GPU.
Reportedly,Qualcomm will use TSMC’s 2nm process for these chips. However,the leaker suggests that the cost of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 3 has “soared,” potentially leading to price increases for flagship phones released from late 2026 onward.
This price increase could mean that the standard flagship phones might not use the full Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 3. Rather, the “SM8945” chip could be used in these models, reserving the more powerful chip for premium devices. This could result in phones like the Galaxy S27 and Xiaomi 17 having less impressive performance than their higher-end counterparts.
It’s vital to note that Qualcomm has yet to unveil the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2, let alone the Gen 3. therefore, these details are subject to change before the anticipated launch window in late 2026.
What’s next
The mobile tech world awaits official announcements from qualcomm regarding the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 and further details on the Gen 3. The potential shift to a dual-chip strategy and its impact on flagship phone pricing will be closely watched.