Qualcomm is reportedly preparing to launch the Snapdragon 8s Elite (SM8735), a new mid-range chipset designed to bridge the performance gap between premium and budget devices. Leaks indicate that the 8s Elite will deliver impressive performance, rivaling even some of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 flagships, while maintaining a more competitive price point.
According to a well-known leak by Digital Chat Station, the 8s Elite is expected to score around 2 million AnTuTu points, putting it on par with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 devices, albeit with a slight lag.
It will not use the new Oryon cores
The insider also reports that the new chipset will not use Qualcomm’s specially designed Oryon cores, which were introduced in the Snapdragon 8 Elite. Instead, it will rely on a more traditional processor architecture with a Cortex-X4 core and efficient A720 cores, resulting in performance similar to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
It is also expected to show a slight performance drop in GPU-intensive tasks compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This compromise may be a strategic move by Qualcomm to optimize power consumption and maintain a competitive price in the mid-range segment.
The SM8735 chipset was previously spotted in Xiaomi’s HyperOS software earlier this year. It is rumored to be the basis for future devices such as the Redmi Turbo 4 Pro or Redmi K90.
DCS also claims that the Snapdragon 8s Elite is likely to be widely distributed among leading smartphone brands. In addition to Xiaomi, manufacturers such as Honor, iQOO, and Oppo are also rumored to be developing ultra-thin, photography-focused phones based on this chipset. These smartphones are expected to hit the market around April, hinting at a possible 8s Elite launch in March or April.
The arrival of the Snapdragon 8s Elite will increase competition in the mid-range segment, pushing manufacturers to create even more powerful and feature-rich devices at attractive prices. Consumers can also look forward to a wider range of high-performance options at more affordable prices, offering a compelling alternative to flagship devices for those looking for a powerful and feature-rich smartphone without the premium price tag.
