Summary
- The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 brings faster, more efficient AI with continuous on-device learning and multimodal model support.
- Video capture sees a leap with support for the new APV codec, enabling pro-level, high-bitrate recording on phones.
- Performance and efficiency improve with a 20% faster CPU, a 23% stronger GPU, and up to 35% better power management.
Every year, Qualcomm sets the stage for Android flagships, and 2026 is no different. At its Snapdragon Summit in Hawaii, the chip maker officially introduced the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor that will power the next wave of high-end Android phones.
First things first, the company is calling its new chipset Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (this follows last year’s Snapdragon 8 Elite), claiming this further simplifies the naming scheme. Qualcomm says “Gen 5” clarifies generation progression, while including “Elite” not only signals the SoC as flagship, but also distinguishes it from the other Snapdragon non-Elite variants.
With the chipset now official, as with every new Snapdragon release, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 delivers more than just improved performance. Here are five ways the new chip will likely make your next Android smartphone even better.
On-device agentic AI
AI gets smarter without needing the cloud anymore
Every smartphone brand is betting big on AI — whether that’s automating tasks, removing objects from images, or simply translating text on screen — and Qualcomm’s latest chipset will help Android OEMs push this further.
Qualcomm says the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 will enable smartphones to perform continuous on-device learning and let multimodal AI models understand users better, so devices can automate more tasks offline. Your phone will adapt to your routine and preferences to act on your behalf. There’s, however, no live demo of this in action yet.
To achieve this, Qualcomm says the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 features an NPU that’s 37% faster yet 16% more power efficient.
Video recording that finally rivals what Apple does with iPhones
Qualcomm wants to close the camera gap once and for all
While photography has often been a close contest between Android flagships and iPhones, video is where the iPhone usually wins hands down. The new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 aims to close that gap.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is the first processor to support the new Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec, which Google officially introduced with Android 16. Qualcomm says this will allow smartphones to capture professional-level, high-bitrate video with “incredible quality.”
The company even claims each frame will be sharp enough to extract and use as a still image, with the same detail as a photo. We don’t yet know which phones will first support the APV codec, but I can’t wait to test it against the iPhone. Hopefully, this chipset will finally make Android phones just as good for content creators.
Faster CPU and console-level gaming
Heavy apps and games will feel smoother than ever
It wouldn’t be a new Qualcomm chipset without major performance jumps. Qualcomm says the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 delivers “massive” upgrades with new 3rd-gen Oryon cores reaching 4.6GHz and delivering 20% faster CPU performance.
In terms of architecture, the chip retains a 2+6 layout with two cores clocking up to 4.6GHz and six performance cores up to 3.62GHz. On the GPU side, Qualcomm claims a 23% boost in performance and 20% lower power consumption compared to last year’s Snapdragon 8 Elite.
For gamers and developers, the big news is “full Unreal Engine 5 compatibility,” which means more headroom for developers to push graphical performance and, for gamers, potentially more AAA titles coming to Android.
The chip also introduces Adreno High Performance Memory (HPM), which is nothing but a dedicated high-performing cache that game developers can use. Qualcomm says it is already working with studios like miHoYo, NetEase, and Tencent to take advantage of Adreno HPM for “smoother and longer gameplay.”
Better battery life could be on the horizon
Thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 being more efficient
Flagship smartphones come and go, but one thing we always ask for is better battery life. It finally looks like the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 may deliver on this front. The chipset is still built on a 3nm node, but Qualcomm claims it’s 35% more efficient than last year’s Snapdragon 8 Elite, which is a massive jump in just one generation.
While that number may not sound huge on paper, it means new Android phones powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 should offer much better battery life, since the CPU can handle the same tasks while using less energy.
It, of course, remains to be seen how this translates into real-world use, but with the numbers Qualcomm is touting, I’m hopeful — especially when brands continue to avoid adopting new battery tech (I’m looking at you, Samsung).
Cellular networks and speeds see big gains
Stronger, faster, and more reliable signals
Another key area where the next generation of Android phones may see an upgrade is connectivity and download speeds. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 carries the company’s new X85 modem, which promises up to 12.5Gbps downlink and 3.7Gbps uplink speeds. This is nearly a 25% improvement over the Snapdragon 8 Elite.
In addition, the new chipset also carries the new FastConnect 7900, which means you should get Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, and UWB on phones with this chipset, but the real advantage Qualcomm is touting is improved power efficiency. Qualcomm claims up to 40% power savings versus the predecessor, which should translate to better battery life.
With all that said, I can’t wait for the next generation of Android phones powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Qualcomm has already confirmed it is working with a variety of Android flagship makers, including HONOR, iQOO, OPPO, POCO, realme, Xiaomi, OnePlus and Samsung for phones with this chipset, some of which should start rolling out soon.
