At COMPUTEX 2025, Qualcomm has once again raised the stakes in the mobile processor space by officially announcing the dates for its annual Snapdragon Summit, scheduled for September 23 to 25, 2025, in Hawaii. This year’s summit is not just earlier than usual—it marks a significant shift in Qualcomm’s strategy as it looks to outpace rivals like Apple and maintain its position as a leading innovator in mobile silicon.
The star of the event? The Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 (SM8850)—a chipset built to redefine flagship smartphone performance in the second half of 2025.
Snapdragon 8 Elite 2: What to Expect from Qualcomm’s Next-Gen Flagship SoC
Powered by TSMC’s Advanced N3P Process
Qualcomm is using TSMC’s 3nm N3P process node for the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2. This upgrade from previous generations offers significant gains in power efficiency, thermal performance, and raw processing power. Devices equipped with this chipset will not only run cooler but also maintain peak performance for longer durations.
Graphics Upgrade: Adreno 840 GPU
One of the biggest improvements comes from the Adreno 840 GPU, which reportedly offers up to 30% better graphics performance than its predecessor. Gamers and mobile creators can expect higher frame rates, faster rendering, and smoother visuals for graphics-intensive tasks.
CPU Layout & Performance Boost
The Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 is rumored to adopt a 6+2 CPU core layout, including:
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Six high-performance cores
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Two high-efficiency Pegasus cores
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Clock speeds reaching up to 5GHz
This layout is designed to balance power and efficiency, with multi-threading capabilities ideal for next-gen mobile multitasking and AI-based applications.
LPDDR6 RAM Support
In a move that underscores Qualcomm’s commitment to future-proofing its chipsets, the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 is also expected to be the first to support LPDDR6 RAM. This new memory standard will offer:
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Faster bandwidth
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Lower latency
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Improved power consumption
This positions the chipset perfectly for high-performance mobile gaming, AI processing, and 8K video capture/editing.
Who’s First? OEMs Likely to Debut Snapdragon 8 Elite 2
Smartphone brands are already in line to showcase Qualcomm’s next-gen chipset. According to industry insiders, Xiaomi, OnePlus, iQOO, and HONOR will be among the first to launch flagship smartphones powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2.
Flagship Launch Timeline
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Late September 2025: First wave of phones expected
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Early October 2025: Wider availability from global OEMs
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Possible models: Xiaomi 16 Ultra, OnePlus 13 Pro, HONOR Magic7, iQOO 14 series
These devices are expected to go head-to-head with Apple’s iPhone 17 series, which will likely launch just weeks before Qualcomm’s big reveal.
Snapdragon X Elite 2: Qualcomm’s Vision for the Future of Windows PCs
Next-Gen Windows Laptops Powered by Snapdragon
In addition to the mobile-focused 8 Elite 2, Qualcomm is also preparing the Snapdragon X Elite 2 (or X2 Elite), the follow-up to its original Snapdragon X Elite from 2023. The first-generation chipset marked Qualcomm’s entry into the high-performance laptop space, competing with Intel and AMD in the ultrabook and hybrid device segments.
X Elite 2 Highlights (Expected)
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Built on the same N3P node for better efficiency
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Targeting Windows 11/12 flagship laptops
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Possibly making its debut in the Microsoft Surface lineup
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Extended AI processing and on-device ML enhancements
However, while development is progressing, the Snapdragon X Elite 2 may not hit the market until early 2026.
Why Qualcomm Moved the Snapdragon Summit Earlier in 2025
Traditionally held in October or November, the September timing of the 2025 summit signals Qualcomm’s intent to:
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Preempt Apple’s iPhone 17 buzz
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Give OEMs more lead time before holiday launches
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Establish early dominance in benchmark tests and market comparisons
This move could give Qualcomm a strategic edge in the premium Android smartphone race for the year-end quarter.
FAQs:
Q1: When is the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 launching?
A: Qualcomm will unveil the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 during its Snapdragon Summit 2025, scheduled for September 23–25, in Hawaii.
Q2: What improvements does the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 offer over its predecessor?
A: The 8 Elite 2 features a new 6+2 CPU layout, Adreno 840 GPU (30% better performance), and support for LPDDR6 RAM, all built on the TSMC N3P node.
Q3: Which smartphones will be the first to use Snapdragon 8 Elite 2?
A: OEMs like Xiaomi, OnePlus, HONOR, and iQOO are expected to launch flagship smartphones with the 8 Elite 2 by late September or early October 2025.
Q4: What is the Snapdragon X Elite 2?
A: The Snapdragon X Elite 2 is Qualcomm’s next-gen processor for Windows laptops, aimed at rivaling Intel and AMD in the high-end PC market. It may debut in 2026.
Q5: Will Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 support LPDDR6 RAM?
A: Yes, the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 is expected to be Qualcomm’s first chipset to support LPDDR6 RAM, enhancing data speeds and power efficiency.
