Leaked Details on Snagdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 Unveil Potential Powerhouse Specs for the Galaxy S26 Ultra
Qualcomm's much-anticipated Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 chipset is set to make its debut at the Snapdragon Summit event on September 23, 2025. This flagship System-on-Chip (SoC) is expected to revolutionize the mobile technology landscape with significant CPU and GPU improvements, a 3-nanometer manufacturing process, and the latest architecture features.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 will feature an 8-core CPU, with a 2+6 prime/performance core arrangement. The prime cores, based on ARMv9, are expected to reach up to 4.74 GHz, a notable increase from the initial Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 1's 4.32 GHz. The performance cores will be clocked at approximately 1.2 GHz, a boost over the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 1's Adreno 830 at 1.1 GHz.
The GPU upgrade is expected to contribute to much higher graphics performance, potentially achieving new benchmark records. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 will utilize an improved Adreno 840 GPU, clocked at approximately 1.2 GHz. The chipset may also incorporate ARM’s latest Scalable Vector Extension 2 (SVE2) and Scalable Matrix Extension (SME) for enhanced CPU processing capabilities.
Rumors suggest that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 could score up to 3.8 million points on the AnTuTu benchmark, significantly higher than its predecessors and setting new performance standards for mobile chipsets.
With these impressive specifications, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 is poised to power the flagship smartphones from brands like Samsung, Honor, Xiaomi, and OnePlus. The Samsung Galaxy S26, OnePlus 14, and many other phones are expected to incorporate this cutting-edge technology in 2023.
Interestingly, Apple's A-series chips have not had a significant leap forward in chip power in the past few years. As such, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2's main opponent will be Apple's latest iPhones and their new chips. The iPhone 17 series is expected to debut in September, along with the A19 and A19 Pro chips.
In addition to the standard Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2, a "Leading Version" is expected to launch midway through 2026. Qualcomm is also rumored to be developing an even faster version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 for 2026.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 will be built using TSMC’s advanced 3nm (N3P) process node, improving efficiency and performance over previous 4nm designs. This technology will ensure the chipset's place at the forefront of mobile technology for years to come.
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The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 chipset, with its enhanced 8-core CPU and improved Adreno 840 GPU, is expected to drive exceptional graphics performance, possibly setting new benchmark records for smartphones, including flagship models from Samsung, Honor, Xiaomi, and OnePlus. In contrast, Apple's A-series chips may struggle to match the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2's performance, making their latest iPhones and new chips the primary competitors.
