The Next Big Thing in Mobile Chipsets
Qualcomm might be preparing a major surprise for the flagship smartphone market. Rumors suggest a new Snapdragon 8 Plus chipset (codenamed SM8845) is in development—and it could offer Snapdragon 8 Elite-level performance without the same high cost or power consumption.
According to renowned tipster Digital Chat Station on Weibo, this chip will sit between the Snapdragon 8 Elite (2024) and the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 (2025), delivering premium power with better efficiency. Expected to debut in 2026, this could give Android manufacturers a high-performance yet cost-effective option for their next-gen flagship phones.
What We Know About the Snapdragon 8 Plus
1. Built on TSMC’s Cutting-Edge 3nm N3P Process
More power-efficient than previous generations
Better thermal management for sustained performance
2. Proprietary CPU Architecture with Large Cores
Expected to use custom-designed high-performance cores
Could share some “peripheral” components with the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2
3. Elite-Level Performance Without Elite Pricing
Targets flagship-tier speeds but at a more competitive price
May enable 8,000 mAh battery phones with all-day endurance
4. Expected Features (Based on Snapdragon 8 Elite Specs)
Advanced AI processing for on-device machine learning
Console-grade gaming with Nanite rendering support
LPDDR5x RAM & UFS 4.0 storage for blazing-fast speeds
5G & Wi-Fi 7 connectivity
How Does It Compare to Snapdragon 8 Elite & Elite 2?
| Feature | Snapdragon 8 Elite (2024) | Snapdragon 8 Plus (2026?) | Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 (2025?) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Process Node | 4nm (TSMC) | 3nm N3P (TSMC) | 3nm (TSMC) |
| CPU | 2nd-gen Oryon (4.32 GHz) | Custom large-core design | Next-gen Oryon |
| Performance | 45% faster CPU vs. Gen 1 | Near-Elite speeds | Expected 20-30% boost over Elite |
| Efficiency | Improved over Gen 1 | Optimized for battery life | Max performance focus |
| Expected Price | Premium (~$200 per chip) | More affordable than Elite 2 | Ultra-premium |
Why This Could Shake Up the Smartphone Market
If Qualcomm delivers on these rumors, the Snapdragon 8 Plus could:
✅ Offer near-flagship performance at a lower cost – making premium phones more accessible.
✅ Extend battery life – thanks to TSMC’s 3nm efficiency gains.
✅ Give OEMs a competitive alternative to Apple’s A-series and Google’s Tensor chips.
This could redefine what a “Plus” model chipset means—no longer just a minor refresh, but a true flagship contender.
Final Thoughts: A Hidden Flagship for 2026?
With the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 expected in late 2025, the Snapdragon 8 Plus could emerge as the “dark horse” of 2026, offering Elite-tier power without the Elite price.
🔹 Who benefits most?
Android manufacturers looking for a high-performance, cost-efficient chip.
Gamers & power users who want flagship speeds with better battery life.
Budget-conscious buyers who still want premium features.
Will this be Qualcomm’s secret weapon? We’ll find out in 2026!
