Qualcomm has introduced the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip as a high-performance option for premium smartphones that do not require the extreme capabilities of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. The company unveiled the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip last September, designed to power the most advanced Android phones set to debut in 2026. The OnePlus 15, priced at $900 and released this month, is the first smartphone in the US to feature this cutting-edge chip. Now, Qualcomm has launched the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip targeting devices that demand slightly lower processing power for a more affordable price, providing cost-effective yet still efficient options.
Typically, Qualcomm offers multiple variants of its chips with different performance levels and costs to cater to various phone manufacturers’ requirements. Even among high-end phones priced at $700 or above, manufacturers may choose a less powerful and budget-friendly chip for their mid-range models. An example of this strategy is the recently announced OnePlus 15R, part of the R-series lineup known for offering slightly lower specifications at reduced prices compared to their premium counterparts.
The new Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip is considered a successor to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which was launched in 2023. Qualcomm focuses on comparing the new chip’s performance metrics with those of its predecessor from 2023. The key enhancements in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 include Qualcomm’s exclusive Oryon CPU technology, delivering a notable 36% boost in performance and a 42% increase in power efficiency over the Gen 3 model. Moreover, the new chip’s GPU exhibits an 11% performance improvement and a 28% enhancement in power efficiency compared to its predecessor.
With its Oryon CPU, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 supports AI features such as personalized contextual suggestions introduced in last year’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chip series. Qualcomm has branded these chips as “Elite” to signify their superior performance standards. While the CPU of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 operates at speeds up to 3.8GHz, its counterpart in the Elite series can reach up to 4.6 GHz, showcasing a discernible disparity in capabilities. However, Qualcomm has not disclosed direct performance comparisons between the two chips.
According to Qualcomm’s press release, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 will power flagship smartphones from manufacturers like OnePlus in upcoming releases. The initial devices featuring this chip are expected to launch soon, potentially including the OnePlus 15R scheduled for release on December 17th. Known for offering slightly less power than their premium counterparts, OnePlus’ R-series phones are priced more affordably as a result. For instance, when comparing models like the OnePlus 13R (equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3) released earlier this year with its higher-tier variant, there was a $300 price difference at launch despite differences in performance levels.