Qualcomm has confirmed that its highly anticipated Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 system-on-chip (SoC) will make its debut this fall. After months of speculation and rumors suggesting an early release, the official word came during Qualcomm’s Computex 2025 keynote. The Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 will be unveiled at the Snapdragon Summit between September 23 and September 25, 2025, in Hawaii. This announcement marks a significant milestone as Qualcomm continues to push the boundaries of mobile processing power.
Snapdragon 8 Elite 2: A Leap Forward in Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 is set to deliver a substantial performance boost over its predecessor, the Snapdragon 8 Elite. According to early leaks, the new SoC is expected to outperform the previous generation by up to 26% in AnTuTu benchmark scores. This increase in performance is attributed to several key upgrades, including new Nuvia CPU cores, the adoption of the Arm v9 instruction set, and TSMC’s advanced 3nm N3P manufacturing node.
In terms of CPU configuration, the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 will retain the same 6 + 2 core setup as the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which combines six performance cores and two power-efficient cores. However, the real upgrade comes from the Adreno GPU, which is said to be up to 30% faster than the previous iteration. These improvements in processing power and graphics performance are expected to result in smoother, faster, and more power-efficient devices.
Snapdragon 8 Elite 2: Optimized for Gaming and AI
With the boost in GPU performance, the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 is poised to take mobile gaming to new heights. Qualcomm has been focusing heavily on gaming performance with its recent chip releases, and the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 is expected to follow suit. The enhanced Adreno GPU will provide an immersive gaming experience, supporting higher frame rates and better graphics rendering in mobile games.
Moreover, Qualcomm’s emphasis on AI processing will also see improvements with the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2. The new chip is expected to include more advanced AI features, enabling smarter app experiences, enhanced camera performance, and improved battery efficiency through machine learning.
The Devices to Expect with Snapdragon 8 Elite 2
As for the smartphones that will feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, several high-end models are already on the radar. These include the Xiaomi 16, OnePlus 15, and Realme GT8 Pro. Qualcomm is aiming for an October 2025 release window for these devices, which will be among the first to showcase the power of the new SoC. However, it looks like Samsung may sit out this generation, as rumors suggest that the Galaxy S26 series will feature Samsung’s own Exynos 2600 chips instead of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon.
One possible reason for this is that Qualcomm is reportedly working with Samsung Foundry’s SF2 node for the production of the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 for Galaxy devices. As a result, the Galaxy S26 may use Exynos chips across all its variants. While this could delay Samsung’s use of Qualcomm’s latest technology, the move also paves the way for more competition in the smartphone chip market.
A New Era of Mobile Competition
With the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 set to be one of the top performers of the year, it faces fierce competition from several other players in the mobile chip market. Apple’s upcoming A19 and A19 Pro chips are expected to be formidable rivals, offering cutting-edge performance, particularly in areas like AI and machine learning. Additionally, MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500 is shaping up to be a powerful competitor, providing consumers with another option in the high-end smartphone space.
On the other hand, Samsung’s Exynos 2600 might struggle to keep up with the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2’s advancements. However, there’s a new challenger in the field as well: Xiaomi’s first-generation Xring O1 SoC. Although still a new player, the Xring O1 managed to compete with the Snapdragon 8 Elite in early tests, making it an interesting contender in the mobile chipset race.
As the competition intensifies in the mobile chipset arena, the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 will be crucial for Qualcomm’s position in the market. The chip’s enhanced CPU and GPU performance, coupled with its AI capabilities, make it an exciting offering for flagship smartphones. However, its success will depend on how well it can perform against Apple’s A-series chips, MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500, and other emerging contenders like Xiaomi’s Xring O1.
While Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 is expected to be a powerhouse in terms of performance, the real test will be how it fares in real-world usage. Will it be able to maintain strong battery life while delivering high-end gaming performance and AI capabilities? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 is poised to be one of the most powerful mobile chips of 2025.
