Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5: Full Review, Specifications and more

Introduction

On September 23, 2025, Qualcomm officially unveiled the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, their most advanced mobile platform to date.
According to Qualcomm, this processor is built to redefine flagship smartphones with next-gen CPU cores, an upgraded GPU, AI-focused performance, and unmatched power efficiency.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 full specifications, benchmarks, performance insights, and the list of smartphones expected to feature this processor. If you’re planning your next smartphone upgrade, this guide is a must-read.

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Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Specifications

Performance Review

CPU Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is powered by Qualcomm’s custom Oryon CPU cores built on TSMC’s advanced 3nm N3P node. With Prime cores clocking at 4.61 GHz, it outperforms every previous Snapdragon and challenges even Apple’s A19 Pro.

• Geekbench 6 (Leaked):

  • Single-Core: ~3831 points (Tom’s Hardware)

  • Multi-Core: 12,000+ points (Notebookcheck)

This makes it one of the fastest Android processors ever, competing directly with Apple’s A19 Pro.

In terms of GPU, the Adreno 840 shows up to 25% better performance compared to Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, making it ideal for high-end gaming and ray tracing titles.

GPU Performance – Adreno 840

The new Adreno 840 GPU is a powerhouse designed for next-level gaming. It supports ray tracing, HDR rendering, Vulkan 1.3, and ultra-high refresh rates.

• 3DMark Wild Life Extreme: 20–25% higher than Snapdragon 8 Gen 4

• Genshin Impact & PUBG/BGMI: Stable 120 fps gaming

• Ray Tracing Support: More realistic graphics in supported games

Gamers will particularly enjoy the cooler temperatures and sustained performance compared to Gen 4.

AI & NPU

The Hexagon NPU in Gen 5 offers next-level AI acceleration:

• Faster camera AI features (portrait mode, night photography, HDR video)

• Real-time generative AI (image generation, language processing, translation)

• On-device AI assistants running locally without cloud dependency

This is a huge win for privacy and performance.

AI & Camera Improvements

One of the biggest upgrades in Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is AI performance. With Qualcomm’s advanced Hexagon NPU, tasks like real-time photo enhancement, voice assistants, and AI translation work faster while consuming less power.

Camera enhancements include:

• Computational Video Engine for cinematic quality

• HDR improvements for low-light shots

• Support for up to 200 MP sensors

• 8K video recording with better efficiency

Gaming Performance

For gamers, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is a powerhouse. Qualcomm promises:

• Ray tracing at higher frame rates

• Better thermal efficiency for long gaming sessions

• Snapdragon Elite Gaming optimizations for popular titles

If you’re a mobile gamer, this processor ensures smooth performance even at 120Hz and 144Hz displays.

Connectivity

With the Snapdragon X85 modem, Gen 5 brings future-ready connectivity:

• 5G speeds up to 10 Gbps

• Wi-Fi 7 support for ultra-low latency gaming

• Bluetooth 6.0 with LE Audio and improved range

This ensures smooth cloud gaming, streaming, and online communication.

Thermals & Efficiency

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is built on TSMC’s improved 3nm node, delivering 35% better efficiency compared to Gen 4. While peak performance still generates heat, advanced vapor chamber cooling in 2025 smartphones helps maintain sustained performance.

Strengths of Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

✅ Industry-leading CPU & GPU performance
✅ Best-in-class AI acceleration (on-device generative AI)
✅ Supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, and 5G with X85 modem
✅ Major improvements in camera & video pipeline
✅ Energy-efficient design with sustained performance

Weaknesses of Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

❌ Still runs hot in extreme gaming sessions
❌ Expensive — only available in ultra-premium smartphones
❌ Apple A19 Pro still leads in single-core efficiency
❌ Limited availability in early months (flagship-only devices)

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 4

Verdict: Gen 5 is not just an upgrade, it’s a next-level flagship processor built for performance-hungry users and AI-first experiences.

Upcoming Smartphones with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (2025–26)

Here are the flagship smartphones expected to launch with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5:

1. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra – early 2026

2. Xiaomi 16 Pro / Xiaomi 16 Ultra – late 2025

3. OnePlus 13 Pro – late 2025

4. ASUS ROG Phone 9 Ultimate – early 2026

5. RedMagic 10 Pro – gaming-focused device

6. iQOO 15 & iQOO 15 Pro – confirmed (first to feature Gen 5)

7. Vivo X200 Pro – late 2025

8. Realme GT 7 Pro – performance flagship

9. Honor Magic 7 Pro – early 2026

10. OPPO Find X8 Pro – late 2025

This list will expand as more manufacturers adopt Gen 5 throughout 2026.

FAQs about Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

Q1. Is Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 better than Apple A19 Pro?
In multi-core and GPU performance, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is highly competitive. Apple still holds a slight lead in single-core efficiency.

Q2. Does Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 support Wi-Fi 7?
Yes, it includes Qualcomm’s latest FastConnect system with Wi-Fi 7.

Q3. Is Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 good for gaming?
Absolutely. With the Adreno 840 GPU, it delivers sustained 120fps gaming and supports real-time ray tracing.

Q4. Will mid-range phones use Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5?
No. It is reserved only for premium flagship devices. Mid-range phones will continue to use Snapdragon 7 and 6 series.

Q5. Which phone will launch first with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5?
The iQOO 15 series is confirmed as the first smartphone lineup to launch with this chipset.

Conclusion

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is Qualcomm’s boldest leap in mobile processing to date. With its 4.61 GHz Oryon CPU cores, Adreno 840 GPU, advanced AI, and 35% better efficiency, it’s built to power the most premium Android flagships of 2025 and 2026.

Whether you’re a gamer, a content creator, or a tech enthusiast, phones with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 will deliver unmatched performance, future-proof AI features, and professional-grade camera capabilities.

Upcoming flagships like the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Xiaomi 16 Ultra, and OnePlus 13 Pro will showcase the full power of this chip — making 2025–26 one of the most exciting years for smartphone technology.