Every fall, tech enthusiasts keep their eyes on the annual Snapdragon Summit, Qualcomm’s big showcase for what’s next in mobile technology. This year, the spotlight belongs to the newly launched Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a chip that Qualcomm is billing as its most advanced and powerful mobile processor yet.
At first glance, the name might cause some confusion. Last year’s model was called the Snapdragon 8 Elite, so the addition of “Gen 5” seems like a curveball. But Qualcomm clarified that this designation marks the fifth generation of its premium 8-series platform since it overhauled its naming conventions. In short, it’s not an all-new family, but rather the next big leap forward in the same line.
Inevitably, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 will draw direct comparisons to Apple’s upcoming A19 Pro chip, widely expected to arrive with the new iPhone lineup. The Snapdragon versus Apple’s silicon battle has become a fixture in the mobile world, and this year looks set for another fierce showdown. Both sides are racing to claim leadership in speed, power efficiency, and AI innovation.
Details are still under wraps, but Qualcomm has provided enough insights to spark excitement:
The complete breakdown—including CPU speeds, GPU benchmarks, and AI enhancements—will arrive at the Snapdragon Summit in late September. This is also when we’ll learn which phone makers will be first to showcase devices powered by the new flagship chip.
If you’re considering a flagship Android device later this year, chances are it will include the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Brands like Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Motorola often move swiftly to integrate Qualcomm’s latest technology. For consumers, this means the smartphone race for 2025 has officially begun—pitting top-tier Android phones against the newest wave of iPhones.
The real test lies ahead: will Qualcomm’s bold new release give Android the performance edge it has long pursued, or will Apple continue to dominate in raw benchmarks and efficiency?