The month of September has been incredible for tech enthusiasts. Everywhere you look, flagship processors are being announced — from Apple to MediaTek to Qualcomm. Let’s dive deep into the details of what made this month special and why Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and Snapdragon X2 Elite are redefining performance standards.
Major Processor Launches in September 2025
Apple A19 Pro Launch
Apple kicked things off by launching its A19 Pro chip, now featured in the iPhone 17 Pro. As expected, Apple’s A-series chips continue to deliver top-tier performance and efficiency for iPhones.
MediaTek’s Upcoming Flagship
Not far behind, MediaTek announced that its latest processor will debut in the upcoming OPPO Find series. However, the best was yet to come — from Qualcomm.
Introducing Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
The Best Processor of the Year
Qualcomm unveiled the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the most advanced and powerful mobile processor ever created. It’s already confirmed to power devices like iQOO 15, OnePlus 15, and Xiaomi 17, with rumors suggesting it could also appear in Samsung’s Galaxy S26 next year.
Snapdragon’s Market Dominance
In the ₹25,000 segment, Snapdragon processors are ruling the market with a 40% share, according to the latest CMR report. This dominance clearly shows how Snapdragon continues to be consumers’ top choice across performance tiers.
Understanding the Name: Why “8 Elite Gen 5”?
The “Elite” Branding
The Elite category represents Qualcomm’s premium processor line, offering top-tier performance, energy efficiency, and AI capabilities. These are the chips designed for flagship smartphones.
The “Gen 5” Evolution
The “Generation 5” tag indicates the fifth generation of the Snapdragon 8 series — following 8 Gen 1, 8 Gen 2, 8 Gen 3, and 8 Gen 4. This chip brings elite-level performance with new Orion cores and next-gen architecture.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Specifications and Features
Built on 3nm TSMC Process
The 8 Elite Gen 5 is based on TSMC’s 3nm process, delivering:
- Better battery efficiency
- Less heat generation
- Advanced performance
CPU Architecture
- 8 cores total — 2 Prime cores + 6 Performance cores
- Clock speed: Up to 4.6 GHz, making it one of the fastest smartphone CPUs ever
GPU and Gaming
The Adreno GPU has been significantly upgraded:
- Supports 165 FPS gaming
- Ray tracing enabled for realistic visuals
- Ideal for high-end games like Genshin Impact
Video and Imaging
- Advanced APV video codec for near-lossless recording
- Capable of heavy post-processing and editing
- Real-time high-res photography with 20x zoom clarity
- Supports triple 200MP cameras and 8K Dolby Vision video recording
AI Power: Hexagon NPU and Agentic AI
Hexagon NPU – 45 TOPS Performance
The Hexagon NPU can deliver up to 45 trillion operations per second (TOPS).
This AI capability allows:
- Faster local processing
- Smooth AI features even without internet connectivity
What Is Agentic AI?
Agentic AI enables your phone to perform tasks automatically — such as booking a movie ticket or filling forms — by interacting with apps and websites autonomously. This will revolutionize how users interact with their devices.
Connectivity and Modem Capabilities
- Equipped with Snapdragon X85 5G Modem
- Peak download speed: Up to 10Gbps
- Supports Wi-Fi 7
- Offers industry-leading 5G performance and efficiency
Comparison: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 vs A19 Pro vs Dimensity 9500
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 vs Apple A19 Pro
- Performance: Snapdragon leads in both single-core and multi-core benchmarks.
- Efficiency: Better thermal management and battery optimization.
- Only advantage for A19 Pro: iOS optimization.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 vs MediaTek Dimensity 9500
- GPU: Snapdragon supports 165 FPS with Ray Tracing, while Dimensity tops out at 120 FPS.
- AI Performance: Snapdragon’s NPU outperforms Dimensity’s.
- Availability: Dimensity chips will appear in limited phones (mainly OPPO & Vivo), whereas Snapdragon will power multiple flagships.
Upcoming Phones with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
- Xiaomi 17
- OnePlus 15
- iQOO 15 (expected to launch first in India)
- Realme GT 8 Pro
- Samsung Galaxy S26 (next year)
These devices will showcase the true potential of Qualcomm’s next-gen chip.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 5: The Flagship Killer
Qualcomm isn’t stopping with just the “Elite” series.
A new Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 (non-Elite) has also been teased — a flagship killer designed to offer top-tier performance at affordable prices.
It shares the Orion cores and architecture of its Elite sibling but is optimized for value-focused premium phones.
Snapdragon X2 Elite: Revolutionizing Windows PCs
The Next Leap in PC Performance
Qualcomm has also introduced the Snapdragon X2 Elite and X2 Elite Extreme chips for laptops — continuing the momentum from last year’s X Elite series.
Multi-Day Battery Life
Unlike traditional Windows laptops, X2 Elite promises multi-day battery life, a massive improvement over the industry standard 24-hour claim.
Gaming and GPU Advancements
- Enhanced Adreno GPU with DirectX 12.2, Vulkan, and OpenCL support
- Capable of 4K 144Hz refresh rates
- Delivers smooth gaming performance in titles like GTA V and Cyberpunk 2077 on thin-and-light laptops
NPU and AI Power
- Up to 80 TOPS NPU — double the requirement for Windows Copilot+ PCs
- Superior to AMD’s 50 TOPS in thin laptops
- Enables on-device AI processing and local model execution
Core Configurations
- X2 Elite Extreme: 18 cores (12 Prime + 6 Performance), 5.0GHz clock speed
- X2 Elite: 12 cores, up to 4.7GHz clock speed
- Integrated Snapdragon X75 5G Modem and Microsoft Pluton Security
Future of Snapdragon in PCs
Snapdragon’s journey in the PC market is only getting stronger.
The X2 Elite series offers:
- High-end performance
- Excellent thermal efficiency
- Unmatched battery life
Affordable Windows laptops powered by Snapdragon X chips have already entered the ₹50,000 range. With the X2 generation, we can expect even better performance and efficiency at competitive prices.
Final Thoughts
Qualcomm is clearly dominating both smartphone and PC markets.
From Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 redefining mobile performance to Snapdragon X2 Elite transforming Windows laptops, the brand is proving that it’s far ahead of its competitors.
The future of Snapdragon processors looks brighter than ever — faster, smarter, and more efficient across all devices.
Frequently Asked Questions — Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
What is the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5?
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is Qualcomm’s flagship mobile SoC built on TSMC’s 3nm process, featuring Orion CPU cores, an upgraded Adreno GPU, Hexagon NPU (up to 45 TOPS), and advanced connectivity like the Snapdragon X85 modem and Wi-Fi 7 compatibility.
How does Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 compare to Apple A19 Pro?
In raw benchmark numbers, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 matches or surpasses the A19 Pro in single- and multi-core tests and leads in GPU, modem, and on-device AI capabilities. Apple’s A19 Pro keeps advantages in tight iOS optimization and ecosystem-level performance.
Is Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 better than Dimensity 9500?
Yes — the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 generally outperforms the Dimensity 9500 in GPU features (higher FPS with ray tracing support), AI horsepower, and modem speeds, while Dimensity remains strong in price-to-performance for select devices.
Which phones will use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5?
Qualcomm has confirmed partners including Xiaomi, OnePlus, and iQOO (e.g., Xiaomi 17, OnePlus 15, iQOO 15). More OEMs are expected to adopt the chip across flagship lineups, including potential Samsung Galaxy S series adoption next year.
What are the gaming and GPU capabilities of Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5?
The upgraded Adreno GPU delivers high FPS gaming (targets up to ~165 FPS in optimized titles), ray tracing support on mobile, and smoother performance for graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact at high settings.
How strong is the AI performance on Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5?
The Hexagon NPU in the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 can reach up to ~45 TOPS, enabling advanced on-device AI features, agentic workflows, real-time image processing, and offline AI tasks without cloud dependence.
What connectivity and modem speeds does it support?
It pairs with the Snapdragon X85 modem supporting multi-gigabit download speeds (up to 10 Gbps peak), robust 5G performance, and Wi-Fi 7 compatibility for lower latency and faster local networking.
Is the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 future-proof?
Yes. With support for advanced AI, high-resolution camera pipelines (triple 200MP possible), 8K Dolby Vision video, and a modern 3nm node, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is designed to support future software updates and AI-driven features for years.