Qualcomm is once again pushing the limits of smartphone performance with its upcoming flagship chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2. Early benchmark leaks suggest this new processor has crossed the 4 million score barrier on AnTuTu, making it the most powerful mobile chip in history.
Interestingly, some leaks also refer to it as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, sparking debate over Qualcomm’s naming strategy. But whatever it’s called, the chip represents a massive leap forward for gaming, AI, and flagship smartphones.
Qualcomm’s Flagship Evolution: From Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 to Elite Gen 2
To understand why the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 is such a big deal, it helps to look at Qualcomm’s recent history.
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (2021): Introduced a new naming system, but faced heat issues.
- Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (2022): Improved efficiency by moving production to TSMC.
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (2022 late): Huge leap in performance and efficiency, powering most 2023 flagships.
- Snapdragon 8 Elite (2024): First chip with the “Elite” branding, focused on gaming and AI.
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 (2025): Now expected to set an all-time benchmark record.
Qualcomm’s strategy has been to steadily increase raw performance, but this year the company is going all-in with extreme CPU and GPU clocks.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 (Snapdragon 8 Gen 5) AnTuTu Benchmark
The most exciting part of the leak is the AnTuTu score. According to tipster Digital Chat Station, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 achieved:
👉 Over 4,000,000 points on AnTuTu.
For comparison:
| Chipset | AnTuTu Score (Avg.) |
| Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | 2.5M – 2.8M |
| Snapdragon 8 Elite (2024) | 3.0M – 3.2M |
| MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ | ~3.1M |
| Apple A18 Pro (expected) | ~3.3M |
| Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 | 4M+ |
This means Qualcomm has not only overtaken MediaTek’s Dimensity series but may also surpass Apple’s A18 Pro, which was considered the leader in raw performance.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 CPU and GPU Specs
The leaked configuration reveals Qualcomm’s aggressive approach this year:
| Component | Specification (Standard Version) | Galaxy S26 Exclusive Version |
| Prime Cores | 2 cores @ 4.61GHz | 2 cores @ 4.74GHz |
| Performance Cores | 6 cores @ 3.63GHz | 6 cores @ 3.63GHz |
| Efficiency Cores | None | None |
| GPU | Adreno 840 @ 1.2GHz | Adreno 840 @ 1.2GHz |
Unlike past generations, Qualcomm is skipping dedicated low-power cores, which means the focus is entirely on maximum performance. This could boost gaming and AI performance dramatically but may also raise concerns about battery life.
Why Skipping Efficiency Cores Matters
Traditionally, chipmakers include “efficiency” or “low-power” cores to save battery during light tasks like messaging or browsing. Qualcomm appears to be abandoning this idea for raw speed, trusting in:
- Advanced 3nm process technology for efficiency.
- AI-driven power management to optimize usage.
- Dynamic clock scaling to balance performance and heat.
This approach might deliver console-level gaming on mobile devices, but its real-world impact on battery endurance remains to be seen.
Adreno 840 GPU: Gaming Takes Center Stage
The Adreno 840 GPU, clocked at 1.2GHz, is one of the biggest upgrades in the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2. Early leaks suggest:
- Ray tracing improvements for realistic lighting in games.
- 30% higher graphics performance compared to Adreno 750 (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3).
- Better cooling management for long gaming sessions.
- Support for 8K HDR video playback and VR/AR experiences.
This makes the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 a dream chipset for mobile gamers, especially when paired with 120Hz or 144Hz displays
Exclusive Galaxy S26 Edition
For the third year in a row, Qualcomm will release a special “for Galaxy” edition of its flagship chip, exclusively for Samsung.
- Higher clock speeds (4.74GHz Prime cores)
- Optimized for Samsung’s thermal design
- Launching first with the Galaxy S26 series
This partnership gives Samsung a temporary monopoly on the most powerful chip, boosting sales and brand prestige. Other brands like OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Vivo are expected to get the standard version later.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 vs. Rivals
How does Qualcomm’s new chip compare to its main competitors?
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 vs. MediaTek Dimensity 9500
- Qualcomm leads in CPU clock speed and GPU performance.
MediaTek may still offer better efficiency in lighter tasks.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 vs. Apple A18 Pro
- Apple focuses on single-core power and efficiency, while Qualcomm pushes multi-core and GPU dominance.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 may finally close the gap with Apple in real-world gaming and AI acceleration.
AI and Machine Learning Upgrades
Beyond gaming, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 is expected to feature:
- Next-gen Hexagon NPU with 40% faster AI performance.
- Enhanced on-device AI models, reducing dependence on cloud.
- Smarter camera enhancements like instant background blur and better low-light photography.
- Voice recognition and translation handled directly on the device for faster results.
These upgrades align with the growing trend of AI-powered smartphones, where features like real-time video editing and AI companions require faster processors.
Impact on Battery Life
A major question mark is how battery life will hold up without efficiency cores. Qualcomm is likely relying on:
- TSMC’s 3nm process for energy savings.
- Advanced AI-driven power management.
- Adaptive performance scaling.
Leaks suggest that even with the higher performance, Qualcomm is targeting a 15–20% efficiency improvement over the Snapdragon 8 Elite.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 Launch Date
Qualcomm has officially confirmed the Snapdragon Summit 2025 will take place on September 23, 2025. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 (or Snapdragon 8 Gen 5) will be the main highlight of the event, alongside potential new announcements for Snapdragon Wear and Snapdragon XR chips.
Why the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 Matters for Consumers
- Fastest smartphone chip ever made.
- Better gaming experience with Adreno 840.
- AI at your fingertips with next-gen NPU.
- Exclusive Samsung advantage with Galaxy S26.
- Potential to finally outperform Apple’s A-series chips.
For everyday users, this means smoother multitasking, better mobile gaming, improved camera features, and longer device lifespans.
FAQs on Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2
1. What is the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2?
It is Qualcomm’s upcoming flagship mobile processor, rumored to launch in September 2025. It may also be branded as Snapdragon 8 Gen 5.
2. What makes Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 different from older Snapdragon chips?
It is the first smartphone processor to cross 4 million points on AnTuTu, with dual Prime cores clocked above 4.6GHz and a powerful Adreno 840 GPU.
3. Which phones will launch with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 series will get an exclusive “for Galaxy” edition first, followed by devices from brands like OnePlus, Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo.
4. Will Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 be better than Apple’s A18 Pro?
On paper, yes in multi-core and GPU performance. However, Apple may still lead in single-core efficiency. Real-world tests will decide the true winner.
