Qualcomm’s New Snapdragon Chip Tipped for Galaxy S26 FE

Qualcomm has officially unveiled the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 mobile platform. The new chipset was announced during the Snapdragon Summit 2025. It is designed to bring elite-tier features to a broader range of high-end smartphones.

This strategic move creates a new performance tier just below the top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. It gives phone manufacturers more flexibility for their upcoming devices.

Powerful Features Define the New Chip

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 is built on TSMC’s advanced 3nm process. It incorporates the powerful Oryon CPU architecture. This ensures significant performance and efficiency gains.

The chip also features the next-generation Adreno GPU. It includes a sophisticated NPU for on-device AI tasks. An AI-equipped Image Signal Processor (ISP) enables advanced computational photography.

A Strategic Step in the Mobile Chipset Market

The key difference lies in the CPU configuration. According to Qualcomm, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 uses a 1+7 core layout. This contrasts with the 2+6 setup in the more powerful Elite version.

This approach mirrors strategies used by other industry giants like Apple. It allows brands to offer near-flagship experiences at more accessible price points. The chip is poised to become the heart of future “flagship killer” phones.

The introduction of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 gives manufacturers a powerful new tool for the competitive high-end smartphone market. This chip could perfectly balance cost and performance for devices like the anticipated Galaxy S26 FE, making premium features more accessible than ever before.

Thought you’d like to know-

What is the difference between Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 and the Elite version?

The main difference is the CPU configuration. The standard Gen 5 has one prime core and seven performance cores. The Elite version features two prime cores and six performance cores for higher peak performance.

Which phones will use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip?

The chip will first appear in an upcoming OnePlus 15 model. It is also rumored for the Motorola X70 Air and is a potential candidate for future Fan Edition phones like the Galaxy S26 FE.

Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 have good AI performance?

Yes, it includes a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU). This NPU is designed to handle complex on-device AI tasks efficiently and quickly.

When will phones with this new chip be available?

The first devices are expected to launch soon. The OnePlus 15 is confirmed, with other models likely to follow in late 2025 and into 2026.

Why did Qualcomm create this new chipset tier?

Qualcomm stated it gives manufacturers more choice and flexibility. It allows them to deliver flagship-level features without always using the absolute top-tier silicon.

Trusted Sources

Qualcomm, Reuters