Qualcomm Prepares Cheaper Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Version

Qualcomm is reportedly gearing up to launch a more budget-friendly iteration of its high-end Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset later this year. The information comes from prominent tech leaker Digital Chat Station, who shared details via Weibo.

The upcoming chipset, identified by the model number SM8850-1-AB, is said to achieve performance scores in Geekbench 6 that are remarkably close to its standard counterpart. This suggests that consumers could soon see flagship-level processing power in smartphones priced below 4,000 yuan, approximately $550 USD.

This new variant is expected to be positioned as a more accessible option compared to the standard Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (SM8850-AC). Currently, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 family includes three variants. One is the standard version, another is the SM8850-5-AC with a seven-core processor used in the Oppo Find N6, and the third is the SM8850-1-AD, which powers Samsung's Galaxy S26 and Galaxy Z Fold8 series.

If these rumors hold true, the SM8850-1-AB would represent the fourth iteration in the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 lineup. Its introduction could be particularly beneficial for manufacturers aiming to produce "flagship killer" devices, offering top-tier performance without the premium cost associated with the next generation, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6.