Key Takeaways
1. The Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 will be built using TSMC’s advanced 3nm N3P process, enhancing performance over the previous model.
2. It features a 2+6 core arrangement with two primary cores and six performance cores, utilizing Arm’s latest v9 architecture for improved AI processing and computational photography.
3. The GPU will include an upgraded Adreno 840, though specific clock speeds and capabilities are not yet provided.
4. The chip has achieved an impressive AnTuTu score of 3.8 million points, indicating over a 30% performance increase compared to the previous Snapdragon 8 Elite.
5. This new chip is expected to be central to next year’s high-end Android flagship devices, with an official announcement possibly coming in October.
A recent leak might have provided a clear view of Qualcomm’s upcoming top chip, the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2. This new chip is set to bring a noticeable increase in performance compared to the older version.
Specifications Revealed
According to the reliable leaker Digital Chat Station, the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 (model SM88550) will be manufactured using TSMC’s cutting-edge 3nm N3P process. It will come with a 2+6 core arrangement, featuring two primary cores alongside six performance cores. This layout is similar to what’s found in the current Snapdragon 8 Elite, but this time it will leverage Arm’s latest v9 architecture. The leaker mentions that the chip will support SME1 and SVE2.
These are advanced instruction set extensions from Arm’s v9 designed to enhance functions like AI processing on devices and computational photography, a step up from the Arm’s v8 architecture used in the 8 Elite.
GPU Enhancements
Additionally, the GPU is set to see some upgrades too. Reports suggest the chip will include an Adreno 840, but there are no specifics yet regarding clock speeds or capabilities.
In terms of performance, the leaked information is impressive. The Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 is said to have already achieved an AnTuTu score of 3.8 million points. This represents a more than 30% jump compared to the highest-performing Snapdragon 8 Elite device from March. While benchmark scores don’t always reflect real-world performance, this increase is significant.
Future Implications
These preliminary leaks indicate that the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 is not just a minor update. With the transition to Arm v9 and enhanced computing power, Qualcomm seems to be preparing for devices that will utilize AI and real-time processing more extensively.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 is anticipated to be the driving force behind next year’s high-end Android flagship models. Qualcomm hasn’t yet revealed a launch date, but an official announcement could come as soon as October.
