Qualcomm’s next major flagship chipset roadmap is beginning to take shape, and the biggest highlight is clear: the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 series may introduce a new Pro-tier option for the most advanced Android phones. According to new information shared by reliable tipster Digital Chat Station, Qualcomm is preparing multiple 8-series platforms, including the 2nm SM8975, tentatively named Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro, and the 2nm SM8950, expected to launch as the standard Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6.
New chipset lineup reveals a clear Ultra-class strategy
The leaked roadmap suggests Qualcomm is moving toward a more segmented flagship strategy. Instead of offering only one top-end Snapdragon 8 platform, the company may separate its next-generation chips into standard and Pro models.
The most powerful version, SM8975, is said to use a 2nm manufacturing process, a 2+3+3 next-generation Oryon CPU architecture, a shared 16MB L2 cache, a more aggressive frequency target, and an Adreno 850-class GPU with 18MB GMEM. It is also expected to support both LPDDR6 and LPDDR5X memory, giving manufacturers more flexibility when designing premium devices.
The standard SM8950 is also expected to use a 2nm process and the same 2+3+3 CPU layout, but with a slightly lower GPU configuration. It reportedly features an Adreno 845-class GPU with 12MB GMEM and LPDDR5X memory support, making it a more balanced solution for mainstream flagship phones.
Affected chipsets and expected positioning
- SM8975
Tentative name: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro
Process: 2nm
CPU: 2+3+3 next-generation Oryon architecture
GPU: Adreno 850-class, 18MB GMEM
Memory: LPDDR6 / LPDDR5X
Target devices: Ultra flagship phones and advanced foldables - SM8950
Tentative name: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6
Process: 2nm
CPU: 2+3+3 next-generation Oryon architecture
GPU: Adreno 845-class, 12MB GMEM
Memory: LPDDR5X
Target devices: standard premium flagship phones - SM8850
Expected name: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
Process: 3nm - SM8850Q
Expected name: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5XX version
Process: 3nm - SM8845 Pro
Possible name: Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Pro / Gen 6
Process: 3nm
UFS 5.0 and tri-fold support could matter for Xiaomi
One of the most important technical details in the leaked block diagram is UFS 5.0 support. This could significantly improve storage bandwidth, app loading speed, large file handling, AI model response times, and camera processing performance. For brands like Xiaomi, this is especially important because Ultra-class phones increasingly rely on computational photography, on-device AI, high-resolution video recording, and advanced cooling systems.
The leak also suggests that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro may offer enough processing power for tri-fold smartphones. This detail is important because foldable phones require more display control, stronger GPU performance, advanced multitasking, and efficient power management. A Pro-tier Snapdragon platform could therefore become the foundation for the next generation of Xiaomi MIX Fold or other experimental flagship devices.
More power, but higher costs
The move to a 2nm process could bring major improvements in performance and efficiency, but it may also increase production costs. Previous reports already suggested that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro will mainly target Ultra flagship phones launching in 2027, where manufacturers can better absorb the higher chipset cost.
For users, this means the most advanced Android phones may become faster, more efficient, and better prepared for AI-heavy workloads. However, it could also make top-tier models more expensive, especially if brands combine the new chipset with LPDDR6 memory, UFS 5.0 storage, larger camera sensors, and more complex cooling systems.
