Qualcomm is shifting its flagship chipset strategy. Ahead of the company’s Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, expected to be unveiled at the end of September, a new high-performance processor with the model number “SM8845” has surfaced. Leaks from Chinese sources suggest this processor will serve as an alternative to the current Elite series.
Qualcomm is working on a new chipset
The new chipset will reportedly have a performance level somewhere between the Snapdragon 8s Gen 5 and the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2. The series it will belong to has not yet been confirmed, but the possibility of using the name “Snapdragon 8 Plus” is being discussed.
This processor is expected to offer similar performance to the Snapdragon 8 Elite, introduced last year. Qualcomm’s proprietary large-core architecture will also be featured in this new chip. It has also been reported that some of the 8 Elite 2’s peripherals have been integrated into this chip.
A significant jump in performance is not expected. However, improvements in the manufacturing process are expected to yield significant gains in energy efficiency. The SM8845 is planned to be processed in factories using a more advanced manufacturing process. This could reduce power consumption and contribute to longer battery life for devices.
The new processor is rumored to be first used by Oppo, OnePlus, and Vivo. It’s suggested that the next-generation phones from these brands will come with batteries up to 8,000 mAh. This capacity represents a significant increase compared to previous models.
Sharing very similar specifications to the Snapdragon 8 Elite re-introduces Qualcomm’s approach to product segmentation. While the SM8845’s positioning appears to aim to bridge the gap between the 8s and Elite models, there’s some uncertainty about the clear distinction between the two series.
Definitive information regarding the new chip’s launch date and the series it will be included in has not yet been released. These details are expected to be clarified at Qualcomm’s upcoming event in September 2025.
