Qualcomm’s recent announcement at the Snapdragon Summit has sent ripples through the tech industry, with the scrapping of the Snapdragon 8s series of chips. This move comes alongside the introduction of two new mobile chips, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor tailored for more budget-friendly devices.
Alex Katouzian, Group General Manager of Mobile, Compute, & XR at Qualcomm, confirmed the discontinuation of the 8s series during a Q&A session. According to Katouzian, the decision to merge the 8s into the 8 Gen series was driven by feedback from customers who demanded a consistent premium experience across all devices.
The simplification of Qualcomm’s chip offerings aims to streamline the flagship 8 series. While the naming conventions may have caused some confusion, with the Elite 8 Gen 5 initially expected to be named the Elite 2, the new structure distinguishes between premium Elite chips for flagship phones and standard versions for more affordable models.
The shift means that flagship devices will enjoy the enhanced performance of Elite chips, while mid-range or entry-level flagship phones will incorporate the regular Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chips with slightly scaled-down capabilities. The first phones featuring the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, such as the Xiaomi 17 range, are already hitting the market, marking the beginning of this new era.
As Qualcomm adapts its chip lineup to meet evolving market demands, the industry eagerly anticipates the arrival of devices powered by the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chips. While the exact timeline remains uncertain, the imminent release of phones equipped with the Elite Gen 5 variant indicates that consumers can expect a diverse range of devices catering to different price points and performance needs.
In this dynamic landscape of mobile technology, Qualcomm’s strategic decision to retire the Snapdragon 8s series in favor of a more streamlined approach reflects the company’s commitment to delivering top-notch experiences across its product range. Stay tuned for further developments as manufacturers integrate the latest Snapdragon chips into their upcoming devices, shaping the future of mobile technology.