Rumor Assessment: 70% Probable
In the competitive world of smartphones, Apple has set a precedent with its recent introduction of strict differentiation within its iPhone 15 series. The tech giant unveiled the powerful A17 Pro chipset exclusively for its higher-end models, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Following in Apple's footsteps, Qualcomm appears to be adopting a similar strategy, as new rumors suggest the company is developing next year's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 in two distinct versions, including a premium variant dubbed the ‘Pro’ model.
The upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 is rumored to come packed with exclusive features, including support for LPDDR6 RAM and various GPU specifications. Qualcomm's third-generation Oryon architecture is expected to introduce a new CPU cluster while retaining the same number of performance cores. This strategic move may enhance performance while maintaining efficiency.
According to renowned tipster Digital Chat Station, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 will utilize TSMC’s advanced 2nm N2P architecture for mass production, a shift from the previous N2 node. This information is not new; the tipster had previously indicated that the chipset would also support LPDDR6 RAM and UFS 5.0 storage. Some analysts speculate that by 2026, all major chipset manufacturers—including Apple, Qualcomm, and MediaTek—will adopt TSMC’s N2 node, marking a significant upgrade in lithography technology.
Interestingly, instead of a single Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, rumors suggest Qualcomm is developing two versions of the chipset. Both variants are expected to feature a CPU configuration of ‘2 + 3 + 3’, differing from the ‘2 + 6’ cluster used in the earlier Snapdragon 8 Elite and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. This new configuration likely incorporates three ultra-low-power cores to enhance efficiency.
The key distinctions between the standard Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and the ‘Pro’ variant lie in their specifications. The ‘Pro’ version will reportedly support LPDDR6 RAM and advanced GPU capabilities, while the standard variant may be limited to LPDDR5X RAM and an underclocked graphics processor.
As with many rumors in the tech industry, many details surrounding the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 remain undisclosed. This is especially true considering the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 was only introduced in late September. Digital Chat Station concludes by mentioning impressive performance specifications for the ‘Pro’ version, based on presentation slides he claims to have seen. However, it is essential to approach these claims with caution, as it remains early in the development process. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as new information arises.
Stay tuned for more news regarding Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and its implications for the smartphone market.
