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Snapdragon 8S Elite Is Almost Here: New Year Gift For Geeks?

Snapdragon 8S Elite is here to fill the gap between mid-range and premium Qualcomm processors. The 8s Elite is expected to perform better than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

By Nikhil Srivastava
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Qualcomm is expected to introduce a slightly watered-down version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite in Q1 of 2025 as a New Year Gift to smartphone users, positioning it as the latest addition to its processor portfolio.

This new sub-flagship chipset bridges the gap between premium and mid-range smartphone processors. When compared to the existing processors, it has managed to fix its position between the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This means you can expect smartphones powered by the Snapdragon 8S Elite to be priced around INR 40,000.

Don’t let the naming convention confuse you. Qualcomm typically starts by releasing its flagship processors—let’s call them "Zero-suffix" processors. Following that, the company either introduces a ‘+’ version or an ‘s’ version. The ‘+’ version generally offers improved performance over the original, while the ‘s’ version is a more affordable variation of the original flagship.

Qualcomm has followed this strategy in the past, as seen with the Snapdragon 8S Gen 3. Following the same pattern, the Snapdragon 8S Elite aims to strike a perfect balance between performance and cost-effectiveness.

ALSO READ: iQOO 13 Is India's Most Affordable Snapdragon 8 Elite Android Phone

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Benefits of Snapdragon 8S Elite

The Snapdragon 8S Elite processor retains Qualcomm's custom architecture and is powerful enough to outpace the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Some enthusiasts are even referring to it as the Snapdragon 8S Elite (Gen 4). The chipset is expected to support up to 90W fast charging and it can handle batteries with capacities as large as 7000mAh. Moreover, it comes with Qualcomm’s advanced Oryon technology and it can deliver improved thermal performance for better overall efficiency.

This processor is designed so that users can experience flawless performance without compromising the battery life. Users can expect the first smartphone based on this chipset to be due in April 2025.

SNAPDRAGON

Qualcomm's naming strategy

Earlier, Qualcomm had brought out the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and Snapdragon 8 Elite. When the users were actually looking forward to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, the company had a new plan in the pipeline. Instead of adopting the conventional route where they would have come with a Snapdragon 8S Gen 4, Qualcomm took the route of Snapdragon 8S Elite. Perhaps this new nomenclature signals the change in the company's branding strategy for the Elite series.

Snapdragon 8S Elite performance expectations

The Elite brand is Qualcomm's highest-range technology, especially for its level of AI integration. So far, Snapdragon has managed to make great processors. Samsung has shipped Galaxy S23 series around the globe with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Still outperforming most phones out today, that device performs amazingly well and shows exactly what an efficient Galaxy S23 can be when paired full-force with Samsung AI support.

Similarly, early benchmark leaks suggest that the Snapdragon 8S Elite will outperform the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
It positions the new processor as a support system for flawless performance and robust AI support of smartphones. Additionally, the improved thermals and battery optimisation will contribute to longer-lasting battery life, making it a compelling choice for future smartphones. With this new offering, Qualcomm continued to redefine performance standards while maintaining accessibility, thereby giving users premium features without breaking the bank.