- Qualcomm is reportedly working on a new Snapdragon 8s Elite chipset for affordable devices.
- This chip is rumored to feature a 1+3+2+2 core configuration with clock speeds higher than the 8 Gen 3 but lower than the 8 Elite, paired with an Adreno 825 GPU.
- Snapdragon 8s Elite is expected to debut in upcoming iQOO and Redmi smartphones.
Is Qualcomm about to shake up the mid-range smartphone market? It looks like it. Fresh leaks and benchmark scores are pointing towards a new chipset in the works – the Snapdragon 8s Elite. This isn’t exactly a full-end flagship processor as it is rumored to bring near-flagship performance to more affordable devices. This can potentially bridge the gap between high-end and mid-range phones. Think of it as the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s younger brother but still powerful.
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Table of Contents
Snapdragon 8s Elite: What the Leaks Say
The buzz around the Snapdragon 8s Elite started with leaks from the Digital Chat Station on Weibo. According to DCS, the 8s Elite (bearing the model number SM8735) is expected to sport a 1+3+2+2 core configuration, similar to the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, but with adjusted clock speeds.
This means we’re likely looking at 1 prime core at 3.21GHz +, 3 performance cores at 3.01GHz +, 2 performance cores at 2.80GHz +, and 2 efficiency cores at 2.02GHz. However, unlike the Snapdragon 8 Elite, the new chipset won’t be using Qualcomm’s custom Oryon cores and will be sticking with ARM-designed cores instead. Why ARM? Because it will reduce the production cost of the chipset making the smartphones featuring them more affordable.
Performance Expectations: The Geekbench Reveal
The Snapdragon 8s Elite has made an appearance on Geekbench recently. Benchmark results from an upcoming iQOO device (model number vivo V2453A) reveal single-core scores of around 1967 and multi-core scores of approximately 5827. These scores place the 8s Elite slightly below the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with a single core score of 2,303 and multicore score of 7,376 in terms of raw performance.
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However, it’s crucial to remember these are early benchmark results from prototype devices. The final retail versions of phones powered by the 8s Elite are likely to see performance improvements. The Geekbench listing also confirms the Adreno 825 GPU powering the new chipset.
Comparing the Chipsets: 8s Elite, 8 Gen 3, and 8 Elite
We have compared it directly to Qualcomm’s other recent high-performance offerings to understand where the Snapdragon 8s Elite fits in. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences based on current leaks and known specifications:
| Feature | Snapdragon 8s Elite | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| Core Configuration | 1+3+2+2 | 1+3+2+2 | 2+6 (Oryon) |
| Prime Core Clock | 3.21 GHz | 3.3 GHz | 4.32 GHz |
| Performance Core Clock | 3.01 GHz | 3.2 GHz | 3.53 GHz |
| Efficiency Core Clock | 2.80 GHz / 2.02 GHz | 3.0 GHz / 2.3 GHz | N/A (Oryon) |
| GPU | Adreno 825 | Adreno 735 | Adreno 830 |
| Oryon Cores | No | No | Yes |
| Fabrication Process | Not revealed | 4nm | 3nm |
As you can see, the 8s Elite shares a similar core configuration with the 8 Gen 3, both using a 1+3+2+2 setup of Cortex-X4 and Cortex-A720-based cores. However, the clock speeds of the 8s Elite are slightly lower than the 8 Gen 3 in all core clusters. This explains the lower Geekbench scores.
The 8 Elite, on the other hand, utilizes a completely different architecture with its custom Oryon cores in a 2+6 configuration. It has significantly higher clock speeds giving it a substantial performance advantage. The 8s Elite also uses the Adreno 825 GPU which is better than the 8 Gen 3’s Adreno 735 meaning better graphics while rendering.
This comparison shows that the new chipset is closer to the performance of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 than that of the 8 Elite.
The First Phones to Get the 8s Elite
Qualcomm hasn’t officially announced any devices featuring the Snapdragon 8s Elite. But according to Digital Chat Station, both iQOO and Redmi are expected to be among the first manufacturers to launch smartphones powered by this new chipset. The Geekbench appearance of a device with the model number vivo V2453A further strengthens the iQOO connection, as Vivo is iQOO’s parent company. This device is widely believed to be the iQOO Z10 Turbo Pro.
Based on current information, the first devices featuring the Snapdragon 8s Elite are anticipated to arrive around April 2025. This timeline aligns with previous Qualcomm releases and suggests we could see announcements and launches in the first half of the year.
While these leaks and benchmarks show that the new chipset will not be as powerful as the 8 Elite, it’s important to remember that things can change as this is just a prototype. We’ll have to wait for official announcements from Qualcomm and the device manufacturers to get the full story. But Snapdragon 8s Elite will power some of the most exciting mid-range phones of 2025.
