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Snapdragon 8 Elite launched with 3nm Oryon CPU, AI boost and more
Qualcomm launched the next-gen mobile platform – Snapdragon 8 Elite. The new processor is set to compete against Apple’s A18 Pro used in the iPhone 16 Pro lineup. It is fabricated using TSMC’s cutting-edge 3nm process node.
Snapdragon 8 Elite will power Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series. The Exynos 2500 could not be materialized due to lower yield at Samsung Foundry. However, we could see it in next year’s Fan Edition or Flip 7 device.
Qualcomm expanded its Oryon CPU to its mobile platform apart from the “Elite” name. The inclusion of the company’s in-house Oryon central processing unit enables faster performance and on-device support for multimodal intelligence.
Oryon in 8 Elite doesn’t come from Qualcomm’s laptop chipset. The company has tweaked the technology and called it a second-generation Oryon CPU. The architecture comprises two prime cores with six performance cores.
There’s an X80 5G modem-RF chip and an Adreno GPU with a new sliced architecture, with dedicated memory allocated to each slice. This significant shift results in a massive performance boost compared to previous generations.
I asked Chris Patrick, Qualcomm’s mobile handset SVP, what all of that upgraded hardware would translate to in the hands of smartphone users, and the examples he gave boiled down to more desktop-like performance from a phone.
Qualcomm’s mobile handset SVP noted that websites that aren’t well optimized for mobile will “run very quickly and feel light.” Besides, heavy games will run more effortlessly, making it a game changer in the smartphone industry.
As the utilization of artificial intelligence is rising, Qualcomm brought upgraded NPU to Snapdragon 8 Elite. The upgraded Hexagon NPU supports on-device multimodal AI assistants that can handle text input as well as visuals.
Additionally, the chipset supports an on-device AI-powered video object eraser tool, letting you remove distractions from video clips. I’m excited to see if Samsung becomes the first OEM to materialize this feature on the Galaxy S25 series.
The first 8 Elite devices from brands like Asus, Honor, OnePlus, Oppo, and Xiaomi are expected to launch “in the coming weeks.” Samsung, on the other hand, will launch its 8 Elite-powered Galaxy flagships early next year.
Snapdragon 8 Elite could bring a major UWB upgrade to Samsung Galaxy S25 series. Samsung won’t need to equip its next-gen Galaxy S phones with UWB technology. Qualcomm confirmed the integration of this tech in its latest chipset.
According to AndroidAuthority, Snapdragon 8 Elite features built-in UWB. This means all Samsung Galaxy S25 series models could bring UWB support, making the vanilla variant match with its Plus and Ultra siblings.
Qualcomm integrated Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and UWB on the FastConnect 7900 system. The system is deeply integrated into the new Snapdragon 8 Elite. It would be interesting to see if Galaxy S25 gets UWB support with Snapdragon 8 Elite.
Samsung has been bringing UWB to its high-end devices through separate chip installation. Previously released Snapdragon and Exynos chipsets supported the inclusion of ultra-wide-band technology.
This time, Qualcomm went beyond with Snapdragon 8 Elite. Integration of UWB into the board will ensure stunning performance. SamMobile assumes that Samsung could disable UWB through a software update on the S25.
Qualcomm recently launched the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. It is manufactured using a 3nm process node at TSMC Foundry. The company equipped 8 Elite with an in-house Oryon CPU, upgraded NPU, and Adreno GPU.
Ultra-wideband is a short-range wireless communication technology. It utilizes a wide spectrum of frequencies to enable highly accurate spatial awareness and data transmission, unlocking futuristic features like digital car keys.
Samsung could launch the Galaxy S25 series in January next year. The lineup will include three models: Standard, Plus, and Ultra. The final decision on Exynos 2500 could be taken by the end of this month, then we have a clear picture of SoC distribution.
During the Snapdragon Summit, Qualcomm officially introduced its latest mobile platform. The Snapdragon 8 Elite, which will power Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series and many other Android flagships, comes with epic specs and features.
Qualcomm equipped Snapdragon 8 Elite with advanced artificial intelligence specs and GenAI features. The company’s AI Engine leverages Qualcomm Adreno GPU, Qualcomm Oryon CPU, and Qualcomm Hexagon NPU.
With Oryon CPU debuting in Qualcomm’s mobile roadmap, the company is able to deliver unprecedented performance. This significance deserves a new, special, most premium variant of its leading 8 series—Snapdragon 8 Elite.
Qualcomm’s Oryon CPU brings an extraordinary performance boost to the Snapdragon 8 Elite. The company has masterfully engineered 2nd generation Oryon CPU to deliver power, speed, and efficiency, with key features including:
- Fastest mobile CPU in the world with 4.32 GHz peak CPU speeds.
- Experience an astounding 45% boost in CPU performance and 44% improved power efficiency.
- The mobile industry’s largest shared cache delivers insanely fast data retrieval.
- Delivers up to 27% in overall power savings, extending your gaming time by up to 2.5 hours.
Samsung is set to debut the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the Galaxy S25 series. The flagships will be launched early next year. Integration of this advanced chipset with One UI will further maximize performance and efficiency.
| Snapdragon 8 Elite Specs & Features | |
|---|---|
| Category | Details |
| Artificial Intelligence | Qualcomm AI Engine
Qualcomm Sensing Hub
|
| 5G Modem-RF System | Snapdragon X80 5G Modem-RF System
Downlink: Up to 10 Gbps Uplink: Up to 3.5 Gbps 8 mmWave carriers, 2×2 MIMO
3GPP Release 17 and Release 18 support 6xCA Downlink 6-antenna support (6 Rx for 4×6 MIMO) Multimode support: 5G NR, NR-DC, EN-DC, LTE, CBRS, WCDMA, LAA, GSM/EDGE, Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS) |
| Wi-Fi, Bluetooth & UWB | Qualcomm FastConnect 7900 Mobile Connectivity System
Integrated Bluetooth
Integrated Ultra Wideband (UWB)
|
| CPU | Qualcomm Oryon CPU
|
| Camera | Qualcomm Spectra ISP Highlights:
|
| Audio | Snapdragon Sound Technology Suite:
|
| Display | On-Device Display Support:
Maximum External Display Support:
Variable Refresh Rate support for 240 Hz to 1 Hz
|
| Visual Subsystem (GPU) | Adreno GPU
|
| Security | Truepic with C2PA for video and audio
IP protection for AI models |
| Location | Concurrent GPS, Glonass, BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS, NavIC
Triple frequency GNSS (L1/L2C/L5) AI-based GNSS Location Gen 3 Sensor-Assisted Positioning 6.0 Urban pedestrian navigation with sidewalk accuracy Global freeway lane-level vehicle navigation |
| Charging | Qualcomm Quick Charge 5 Technology |
| Memory | Support for dual-channel LP-DDR5x memory, up to 5.3GHz
Memory Density: Up to 24 GB |
| General Specifications | Full suite of Snapdragon Elite Gaming features
3nm Process Technology USB Version 3.1 Gen 2; USB Type-C Support Storage: UFS 4.0 Part Number: SM8750-AB |
Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition as its gratitude to Korean consumers who are leading the foldable market. Due to limited availability, everyone can’t buy Samsung’s newly launched Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition.
The Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition provides a slim and light foldable experience. It’s a product with a sophisticated design, precise patterns, and deep colors. It also boasts the most powerful camera specs in Samsung foldable lineup yet.
Samsung Korea’s GM specifically noted, “We are pleased to introduce this new product in Korea to show our gratitude to domestic consumers who are leading the foldable market.”
Following today’s unveiling, Samsung is set to release the new foldable on October 25. South Korean consumers will be able to buy the new Galaxy Z Fold SE. It could also be available in China to compete with local vendors.
With a thickness of 10.6mm and a weight of 236g, it is 1.5mm thinner and 3g lighter compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 6. The device maximizes portability and usability with the thinnest and lightest design of any Galaxy Z Fold series to date.
Samsung fueled the SE model with exceptional specifications. It comes with larger displays, 16GB RAM, 512GB storage, a 200-megapixel primary camera, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy processor, and Galaxy AI capabilities.
We expect that the next year’s Fold model could bring some noteworthy upgrades. The Galaxy Z Fold SE is here as an experimental model with limited availability. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 could get some SE-inspired features and changes next year.
Getting the Z Fold SE isn’t impossible, but not anyone would prefer that way. You can get the Z Fold SE imported by paying additional customs duty or import costs. Don’t expect any warranty or after-sales support due to no global release.
