Samsung is known for producing top-tier phones, but a significant upgrade is on the horizon that could outshine its current flagship lineup. The latest Galaxy S25 and S25 Ultra models are currently powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, a premium chip found in most high-end Android devices.
Qualcomm recently announced the upcoming launch of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 at a major event in Hawaii. While specific details about the new processor are yet to be disclosed, Qualcomm has confirmed its imminent release and explained the reason behind jumping to the Gen 5 designation.
Don McGuire, Qualcomm’s Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, clarified that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 signifies the fifth generation of their premium 8-series platforms. This naming convention aims to reinforce the processor’s leadership position and simplify the understanding of Qualcomm’s product roadmap for consumers.
For those not closely following processor developments, Qualcomm initially introduced the premium Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip in 2021, followed by the 8 Gen 2 in 2022 and the 8 Gen 3 in 2023. However, the company deviated from the numerical sequence last year by unveiling the Snapdragon 8 Elite instead of the expected 8 Gen 4.
With the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, Qualcomm is returning to the “Gen” naming convention, highlighting it as the fifth generation of the 8 series. While this may seem complex, one thing is clear – this new chip is expected to deliver exceptional performance. Full details will be revealed soon, including the potential devices that will feature it.
Qualcomm emphasized that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 represents a pivotal moment in their premium-tier evolution, aligning with their performance-driven naming strategy to provide clarity and confidence to consumers and partners navigating their product lineup.
