Qualcomm's upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip is set to prioritize energy efficiency and AI capabilities over raw CPU performance, according to recent leaks. This strategic shift could have significant implications for the next generation of Android flagship smartphones.
Two Variants, One Strategy
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is rumored to come in two versions:
- Standard (SM8750): For most flagship phones
- Performance (SM8750P): Likely exclusive to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Despite the dual-variant approach, both chips appear to share a common focus on efficiency and AI enhancements.
Efficiency First
- Built on TSMC's 3nm process for improved power consumption
- 2+6 core configuration:
- 2 high-performance cores @ 4.0GHz
- 6 efficiency cores @ 2.8GHz
- Potential for extended smartphone battery life
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| Specifications of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 showcases its energy efficiency and advanced architecture, highlighting its 3nm process and custom Oryon CPU cores |
AI Advancements
- Low-Power Artificial Intelligence subsystem
- Enhanced Qualcomm Sensing Hub for on-device generative AI
- Improved always-on audio and sensor capabilities
Performance Expectations
While the chip is expected to offer a performance boost, early benchmarks suggest it may not be as dramatic as initially anticipated. A leaked Geekbench listing showed a multi-core score of 8,840, lower than the 10,000+ points some had predicted. However, this score still reportedly outperforms Apple's latest Bionic chip.
Key Components
- Custom Oryon CPU cores (first seen in Qualcomm's laptop processors)
- Adreno 830 GPU
- Qualcomm Spectra ISP for camera improvements
- Qualcomm FastConnect 7900 modem
Market Impact
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4's focus on efficiency could help address concerns about smartphone battery life and heat generation. However, an earlier leak suggested the chip might be more expensive to manufacture, potentially driving up phone prices.
Release Timeline
Qualcomm is expected to unveil the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 at its annual Snapdragon Summit in October. The Xiaomi 15 series is rumored to be among the first devices to feature the new chip.
As we await official confirmation from Qualcomm, it's clear that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 represents a strategic shift towards balancing performance with efficiency and AI capabilities. This approach could set the tone for mobile computing in the coming year.
Update: Tuesday August 20 03:23
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will introduce Qualcomm's in-house Oryon CPU cores to the smartphone market, marking a significant shift in the company's chip design. Early benchmarks suggest a 35% improvement in single-core performance and a 30% boost in multi-core performance compared to the current Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The chip will support quad-channel LPDDR5X RAM and feature a new Adreno 8-series GPU. Its comprehensive connectivity suite includes 5G support for both mmWave and sub-6GHz (Release 17), Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), Bluetooth 5.4, and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) via the FastConnect 7900 system. Xiaomi is rumored to secure the right to launch the first phone featuring this chip with their Xiaomi 15 series shortly after the chipset's announcement in October 2024.
Update: Tuesday August 20 11:32
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will feature Qualcomm's custom Oryon CPU cores, marking their debut in the smartphone market. Early benchmarks indicate a 35% improvement in single-core performance and a 30% boost in multi-core performance compared to the current Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The chip will support quad-channel LPDDR5X RAM and include a new Adreno 8-series GPU, with the Adreno 830 being tested at clock speeds up to 1,250MHz - a 25% increase over its predecessor. This GPU could potentially outperform Apple's M2 GPU in certain benchmarks and may incorporate advanced features like improved memory compression and GPU Interpolation Technology. The comprehensive connectivity suite includes 5G support for both mmWave and sub-6GHz (Release 17), Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), Bluetooth 5.4, and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) via the FastConnect 7900 system.