The expected Snapdragon 8 Gen 6 Pro price has already become a major topic of discussion in the tech world. As the industry’s first chipset developed with 2nm manufacturing technology, it is anticipated to significantly increase smartphone costs. Consequently, this price hike will likely affect both manufacturers and end-users directly.

Why is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 6 Pro Price Increasing?

The primary reason behind the price surge is the revolutionary step in manufacturing technology. Qualcomm, along with giants like Apple and MediaTek, is preparing to launch the industry’s first 2nm chipset. These processors will be produced on TSMC’s state-of-the-art ‘N2P’ production line.

However, this advanced technology comes with high costs. According to reports, the cost per wafer, which is around $30,000 for TSMC’s 3nm ‘N3P’ process, is expected to rise much higher for the 2nm process. Therefore, this stands out as the most critical factor directly influencing the unit price of the chipset.

To better understand the current situation, it is useful to look at the previous generation. The Snapdragon 8 Elite series, the first processor where Qualcomm used its own Oryon cores, was notable for its costs. Specifically, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 model was estimated to be sold to smartphone manufacturers for approximately $280 per unit. Although this figure varies depending on contracts and order volumes, it is a clear indicator of how expensive flagship processors have become.

Impact on Smartphone Manufacturers and Consumers

The anticipated high price of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 6 Pro will also change manufacturers’ strategies. Leaked information from the industry suggests that while the top five Android phone manufacturers plan to use this chipset, they will only do so in their most premium and expensive models. This means the standard Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 model, without the ‘Pro’ suffix, will be featured in many more devices. Manufacturers may use the more affordable standard version in their upper-mid-range flagships to balance costs.

Furthermore, manufacturing technology is not the only factor driving up chipset costs. The ongoing DRAM and NAND memory crises in the global market are another significant contributor. This situation may make it inevitable for manufacturers to increase the final retail prices of phones to protect their profit margins. Thus, it will not be surprising if a phone equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro is noticeably more expensive than previous generations.

Considering all this data, what could the unit price of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 6 Pro be? Given the $280 price of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the new generation 2nm chip is expected to easily cross the $300 threshold and reach levels around $320 per unit. Although this figure is currently an estimate, the tech world is preparing for a new era of flagship phone pricing.

So, what are your thoughts on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 6 Pro’s expected price? Share your opinions with us in the comments!