A new detail has now surfaced online regarding Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 mobile platform. The chipmaker is reportedly working on another version of the flagship chipset which could be released in the second half of 2026, possibly during Q4.
Read more about the update below.
New Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (SM8850-1-AB) Version Tipped
As per the details shared by tipster Digital Chat Station, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is expected to remain a long-lasting flagship chipset, and it currently has four different versions.
The ‘SM8850-5-AC’ is the seven-core version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 which is used in the OPPO Find N6 foldable smartphone. The ‘SM8850-AC’ is the standard version of the chipset and is positioned as the mainstream flagship solution for premium smartphones.
Qualcomm’s ‘SM8850-1-AD’ is revealed to be the high-frequency version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and it is used in devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S26 series, Galaxy Z Fold 8 series, Red Magic 11S series, and certain gaming tablets.
Coming to the new version, it carries the model number of ‘SM8850-1-AB’ and is tipped to be released in the second half of this year. Its theoretical Geekbench 6 scores are pointed out to be around 3,600 points in the single-core test and 11,300 points in the multi-core test, placing its performance close to that of the standard Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset.
The tipster further mentioned that this new version will likely be used across several upcoming sub-brand smartphones, particularly within the CNY 4,000 price segment. It is said to offer strong performance, sufficient peripheral support, and better cost-effectiveness when compared with other flagship solutions available during the same period.
It must be noted that Qualcomm has not yet officially announced the ‘SM8850-1-AB’ version or confirmed its launch timeline and specifications. Therefore, more details could probably be revealed as its expected launch approaches. Stay tuned for more updates!
