Smartphone makers could opt for the rumored Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Elite chip instead of the flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 in 2025. The choice may be based on an increase in chip production prices. Here is why this would change the landscape of high-end smartphones.
Chip Prices Are Going Up
The Snapdragon 8 Elite is Qualcomm’s most powerful mobile processor, but the latest cutting-edge fabrication technologies used have made its production costly. The high cost of production might make manufacturers look for an alternative that is more affordable.
Tipster Digital Chat Station believes that the Qualcomm’s new SM8735 processor will be branded as Snapdragon 8s Elite and could be the answer. Not as powerful as the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, the 8s Elite may provide a good performance-to-cost ratio, thus becoming an attractive choice for flagships-like devices.
Expected Device Integration
Smartphone manufacturers can follow the two-chip approach of Samsung’s Galaxy S series. The standard version will contain less powerful processors, and the premium one will have the flagship processor. OnePlus and Redmi will be the brands that will make use of this approach: the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 for “Pro” versions and the 8s Elite in standard ones.
Rebranding and Market Positioning
The model number, which is reportedly SM8735, may indicate rebranding. If Qualcomm would have followed their previous nomenclature, then this processor could have been the first appearance of Snapdragon 8s Gen 4. Then again, it could serve as a rebranding attempt to fit in with the flow of Qualcomm’s changing portfolio.
The specifications of the Snapdragon 8s Elite are not entirely clear, but it will supposedly deliver strong performance for high-end applications such as gaming and multitasking. This processor, when combined with adequate RAM and storage, could manage flagship-level applications without being at a premium price.
Reports indicate that both Xiaomi and Asus may begin using the Snapdragon 8s Elite in future phones. The processor could come in the new Redmi K series successors by Xiaomi while gaming-focused brands like Asus may use it in high performance models with affordability as priorities. The decision by Qualcomm to provide a mid-tier flagship chip is an industry trend to strike a balance of innovation and affordability. With smartphone prices increasing, brands need to give users an outstanding experience while ensuring that the price will not skyrocket.
Even though Qualcomm hasn’t confirmed the launch of Snapdragon 8s Elite, the presence is pretty much guaranteed as Qualcomm had been releasing a new chipset annually. If trends continue, then the chip may launch sometime early in 2025 to match the March 2024 release of Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. The Snapdragon 8s Elite might redefine premium smartphones by offering flagship-level performance at a reduced cost. This shift could make high-end features more accessible while allowing manufacturers to navigate increasing chip production expenses.
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