The latest rumors surrounding Qualcomm's upcoming chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, have generated significant interest within the tech community. Currently assessed at 25% on our rumor scale, this claim is categorized as questionable due to the lack of credible sources. The anticipated launch is set for late 2026, where it will succeed the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 model.
According to a tipster, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 is expected to boast impressive specifications, including LPDDR6 RAM and UFS 5.0 storage. These enhancements could potentially lead to significant performance improvements, especially as on-device AI operations become more prevalent. The demand for memory and storage is projected to escalate, prompting Qualcomm to innovate with more efficient standards for its flagship silicon.
A notable aspect of this rumor involves the chipset's manufacturing process. It is claimed that Qualcomm will utilize TSMC’s advanced N2P process technology. However, this assertion has previously been disputed. TSMC is reported to have a timeline that allows for 2nm N2 wafers to be available in higher volumes for major customers, including Apple, Qualcomm, and MediaTek.
Digital Chat Station, a source on Weibo, suggests that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 could surpass Apple’s A20 and A20 Pro in lithography capabilities by leveraging TSMC’s more advanced N2P process. However, it’s worth noting that Apple has likely secured a significant portion of TSMC’s initial 2nm supply, which may hinder Qualcomm's access to this technology.
TSMC is expected to begin full-scale production by the end of 2025, aiming for a target of 100,000 wafers per month by the following year. The estimated cost of $30,000 per N2 wafer raises concerns about the financial implications for Qualcomm, especially if they are to adopt the more advanced N2P process.
Another tipster, Fixed Focus Digital, has indicated that in 2026, Qualcomm, along with Apple and MediaTek, will likely only announce N2 SoCs and will not transition to the N2P process. This casts doubt on the feasibility of Qualcomm's leap to the newer lithography generation.
While the rumored specifications for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, including the potential for LPDDR6 RAM and UFS 5.0 support, are exciting, the claim of adopting a new lithography generation remains contentious. Ultimately, it will be up to Qualcomm's phone partners to decide on the adoption of these advanced technologies. For now, this rumor remains in the questionable category, and further credible sources will be necessary to validate these claims.
Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops and more information about the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 becomes available.
