Leaks have been circulating about the highly anticipated Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip, expected to bring substantial performance gains. However, it seems Qualcomm has other plans, as the upcoming mobile SoC will be marketed under the new name Snapdragon 8 Elite, as confirmed in a recent teaser for the Xiaomi 15. This change aligns with Qualcomm’s naming convention for its laptop chips, indicating a shift in how the company brands its flagship products.

While Digital Chat Station, a well-known tipster, had previously suggested this name change, Xiaomi’s teaser finally confirms it. This renaming coincides with Qualcomm’s strategy for its new Oryon cores, which were first introduced in laptop SoCs. These cores are set to drive the mobile chip’s performance, making Snapdragon 8 Elite the brand’s latest attempt to set new benchmarks for mobile processing power.

A Change in Naming Strategy

This shift in naming could signal a broader trend for Qualcomm. For its laptop chips, Qualcomm uses the “X” designation, such as the Snapdragon X Elite, which is the more powerful option, and the Snapdragon X Plus, a more affordable variant. The choice to drop the generational numbering in favor of ‘Elite’ suggests a simplified naming approach that might extend beyond mobile processors. The possibility of a more affordable version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite could come under the name Snapdragon 8 Plus, but this might confuse some consumers, given Qualcomm’s existing ‘Plus’ branding for other products.

Another point of interest is Qualcomm’s collaboration with Samsung, where they typically release a customized version of their top chipset. For instance, we could expect a Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy to feature in the upcoming Galaxy S25 Ultra, continuing their partnership on exclusive chipsets designed to optimize Samsung’s high-end smartphones.

Xiaomi 15 Teaser Reveals Launch Timeline

The teaser from Xiaomi has not only confirmed the Snapdragon 8 Elite but also revealed the upcoming launch date for the Xiaomi 15 series—October 23, 2024, in China. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit 2024, scheduled from October 21 to 23 in Maui, Hawaii, will likely serve as the platform for the formal unveiling of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. The timing of Xiaomi’s event suggests the chip will be revealed on the first day of Qualcomm’s summit, a move that aligns with the brand’s tradition of major product launches at its signature event.

Key Features and Performance Upgrades

The Snapdragon 8 Elite is poised to make a massive impact, being Qualcomm’s first 3nm mobile chip. This smaller manufacturing process will allow for significant efficiency improvements, leading to faster processing and better battery management. The CPU setup is expected to feature 2x super cores clocked at 4.0 GHz and 6x high-performance cores at 2.8 GHz, offering a 35% performance boost in single-core tasks and a 30% improvement in multi-core performance over its predecessor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

In addition to the CPU upgrades, the Snapdragon 8 Elite will include a next-gen Adreno GPU designed to support advanced ray-tracing capabilities, making it a game-changer for mobile gaming and graphics-intensive applications. Moreover, Qualcomm plans to incorporate a new NPU to enhance AI-driven features, further elevating the user experience with more personalized and efficient interactions.

Qualcomm’s Competitive Edge

This leap in performance will likely help Qualcomm maintain its edge in the competitive mobile SoC market. By introducing custom Oryon cores and advanced AI capabilities, the company positions itself to meet the increasing demand for high-performance, energy-efficient chips in premium smartphones. The Snapdragon 8 Elite is expected to set a new standard for flagship mobile devices, offering a more powerful and refined experience for users.