TECH – Qualcomm is set to redefine flagship mobile performance with its upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, potentially breaking the 5 GHz barrier for the first time in a consumer chip. According to recent leaks, engineering sample units have hit clock speeds as high as 5.3 GHz, rivaling speeds typically only found in high-end laptop CPUs. These preliminary results come as Qualcomm prepares to launch the chip earlier than usual at its Snapdragon Summit on September 23, 2025.
Built on TSMC’s advanced 3 nm N3P process and featuring second-generation Oryon custom CPU cores, the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 represents a significant leap over its predecessor. Leaks suggest a 30% performance boost in single-core tasks and around 12–20% in multi-core workloads. Indeed, Geekbench 6 benchmarks reportedly show scores exceeding 4,000 in single-core and 11,000+ in multi-core, up from 3,190 and 9,957 in earlier models.
On the graphics side, the new Adreno 840 GPU features an expanded 16 MB cache, up from 12 MB previously, promising around a 30% improvement in graphics performance. This upgrade should translate into smoother gameplay and more efficient handling of heavy graphical workloads. However, as with the previous Elite chipset, thermal management remains a core concern—Qualcomm faces pressure to balance raw performance with cooling efficiency.
Read More: iRonCub3: First Jet‑Powered Humanoid Takes Flight
Additional details from engineering unit reports indicate 5.3 GHz memory clocks on LPDDR5X RAM (equating to 10,600 MT/s), ensuring rapid data throughput. Early comparisons with other chips, such as MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500, show near parity in benchmark figures—both boasting single-core scores above 3,900 and multi-core results around 11,000.
Qualcomm’s aim with Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 is to challenge rival platforms—potentially even outpacing Apple’s anticipated A19 chip—by offering a compelling mix of speed, power efficiency, and advanced multimedia capabilities. Device makers, including Samsung and Xiaomi, are expected to adopt the chip early, with rumored support for new models like the Samsung Galaxy S26 and Xiaomi 16 .
With its unprecedented clock speeds and robust GPU advancements, Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 positions itself as a transformative step forward in mobile processing power. Its official unveiling in September will mark a pivotal moment in the ongoing chip war shaping the next generation of smartphones and tablets.
