Qualcomm has announced the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, a new chipset that sits just below its top-end Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. This chip aims to bring flagship-level performance to phones that will cost less, which makes it an important launch for users who want power without premium pricing.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 is built on the same 3nm process as the Elite version. It also uses Qualcomm’s third-generation Oryon CPU with two prime cores running at 3.8GHz and six performance cores at 3.32GHz. These are strong numbers for a “second-tier” flagship chip, and they show that Qualcomm wants this SoC to punch well above its class.
Qualcomm compared the new chip to the older Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, and the gains are impressive. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 promises a 36% jump in CPU performance, an 11% boost in GPU output, and a 46% improvement in AI processing. It also uses 13% less power, which should help battery life on phones using this chip.
For graphics, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 includes a version of the Adreno 840 GPU with support for Frame Motion Engine 3.0. This is the same GPU family found in the Elite chip, but without the Adreno High-Performance Memory. Even without it, the GPU still brings clear improvements for gaming and high-refresh-rate displays.
On the AI side, the Hexagon NPU has been upgraded and delivers 46% better performance than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. It supports advanced on-device AI features and multi-modal input, which means phones can handle complex tasks faster without relying on cloud processing. This will matter for AI-powered camera features, offline assistants, and real-time enhancements.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 also uses Qualcomm’s Spectra ISP for improved image processing and the X80 5G Modem-RF system. This is the same modem used in last year’s Elite-series chip, so users can expect strong 5G speeds and more reliable connectivity.
What makes the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 exciting is not just the performance numbers. It is the timing. Flagship phones are getting more expensive every year, and the gap between mid-range and premium devices has widened. A true high-performance chip for lower-priced phones could shift the market again, especially in countries like India, where pricing shapes everything.
The first phone with this new chipset will come from OnePlus, expected in the OnePlus Ace 6T or OnePlus 15R. Other brands like iQOO, Motorola, and vivo are also preparing devices with the new chip.
