Highlights
- Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 built on a 3nm process with Oryon CPU (3.8GHz prime cores) officially launched.
- It delivers 36% faster CPU, 11% GPU gains, 46% AI boost, and 13% better efficiency over Gen 3.
- The first device to use the chipset will be the OnePlus Ace 15R, followed by iQOO, Motorola, and Vivo smartphones in the coming weeks.
Qualcomm has officially introduced the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, its latest addition to the flagship 8-series chipset lineup. It is positioned just below the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and carries many of the same architectural enhancements but at slightly reduced clock speeds. It is built on a 3nm process and features the company’s updated Oryon CPU design, comprising two prime cores clocked at 3.8GHz and six performance cores running at 3.32GHz. Here’s all about the new chipset.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5
According to Qualcomm, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 delivers significant generational gains, offering 36% faster CPU performance and 11% better GPU performance compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 launched in 2023. The company also highlights 46% faster AI capabilities and 13% improved power efficiency.
The chipset packs an Adreno 840 GPU with Frame Motion Engine 3.0 support, though it lacks the Adreno High-Performance Memory module available on the Elite version.
Commenting on the launch, Chris Patrick, senior vice president and general manager of Qualcomm’s mobile handset division, said, “As the demand for premium smartphones continues to surge, Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 is perfectly positioned to meet and exceed consumers’ evolving expectations. We’ve reimagined our 8-series family, putting premium performance into the hands of more consumers worldwide. Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 places users at the center of their mobile experiences, empowering them with the speed, intelligence, and efficiency they need to perform at their peak and unlock their full creative potential.”
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 incorporates the Snapdragon X80 5G Modem-RF System with support for both mmWave and sub-6GHz 5G networks. It offers peak download speeds of up to 10Gbps and uplink speeds of up to 3.5Gbps. Connectivity features also include Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Ultra Wideband (UWB) through the FastConnect 7900 system.
Supported storage tops out at UFS 4.0, whereas the Elite variant offers UFS 4.1 compatibility.
For imaging, the chipset uses a triple-20-bit Spectra AI ISP capable of handling advanced computational photography features. It supports Night Vision 3.0 for low-light video recording at 60fps, real-time tone control, and HDR audio via Snapdragon Audio Sense. Camera capabilities scale up to a 320-megapixel single sensor, 4K video capture at 120fps, and playback up to 8K at 60fps.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 also includes Qualcomm’s upgraded Hexagon NPU, providing a 46% improvement in AI workloads and enabling more powerful multimodal on-device AI processing. The integrated Sensing Hub supports motion-triggered assistant activation such as lifting the device.
Qualcomm confirms that the first smartphone powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 will be the OnePlus Ace 15R. Soon after, brands like iQOO, Motorola, and Vivo are expected to debut their own devices using the new chipset in the coming weeks.
FAQs
Q1. What performance improvements does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 offer over its predecessor?
Answer. Compared to Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, it delivers 36% faster CPU, 11% better GPU, 46% stronger AI, and 13% improved power efficiency.
Q2. What connectivity features are included in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5?
Answer. It integrates the Snapdragon X80 5G modem with up to 10Gbps downloads, plus Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Ultra Wideband (UWB) via FastConnect 7900.
Q3. Which smartphone will debut the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5?
Answer. The OnePlus Ace 15R will be the first device powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, followed by iQOO, Motorola, and Vivo models.