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Qualcomm Gears Up for Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 Launch, Previews 2026 Flagship Strategy
Qualcomm is preparing to introduce its next-generation premium mobile chipset, the **Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 (SM8850)**, during an event scheduled between **September 23 and 25**. Designed for high-end smartphones and advanced smart devices, the new chip is expected to bring substantial improvements in both processing power and efficiency, setting a new bar for flagship performance.
Leaked details from trusted tipster **Digital Chat Station (DCS)** suggest the Elite 2 will be powered by Qualcomm’s **second-generation Oryon CPU architecture**. On Geekbench 6, early benchmarks point to **single-core scores above 4000** and **multi-core scores surpassing 11000**, significantly outpacing its predecessor, the SM8750, which hovered around 3100 and 9800 respectively.
Beyond raw CPU muscle, the SM8850 will also feature a **16MB GMEM cache** and a **revamped Adreno 840 GPU**, aiming for more than just incremental improvements in graphics—it’s expected to deliver a transformative leap in visual performance for gaming and AI workloads.
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Looking Ahead: Snapdragon 8 Elite 3 in 2026
But Qualcomm isn’t stopping there. DCS has also shed light on the company’s roadmap for 2026, which includes the **Snapdragon 8 Elite 3 series**, codenamed **SM8950 and SM8945**. This dual-variant platform mirrors Apple’s split between standard and Pro chipsets, with Qualcomm likely to adopt a similar strategy.
Both variants are expected to be built on **TSMC’s cutting-edge 2nm process**, promising industry-leading performance and power efficiency. However, due to the higher manufacturing costs, OEMs may reserve the **SM8950** for top-tier devices while integrating the **SM8945** into standard flagship models.
For example, devices like the **Xiaomi 17** may ship with SM8945, while the **Xiaomi 17 Pro** could pack the more powerful SM8950. If Qualcomm aligns its branding with Apple, we may see these chipsets marketed as **Snapdragon 8 Elite 3 and Elite 3 Pro**.
A Strategic Shift
Interestingly, Qualcomm is already laying the groundwork for this dual-chip strategy in 2025, with the **SM8845** launching alongside the SM8850. Positioned just above the Snapdragon 8s series, the SM8845 offers a balanced performance tier. In 2026, however, the SM8945 is expected to close the performance gap further, signaling a maturing of Qualcomm’s segmentation approach.
With powerful new chipsets and a clearer tiered offering, Qualcomm seems set to **redefine the flagship chipset market**—not just through raw performance, but with a smarter, more diversified product strategy.
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