Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8E5, the fifth-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, is set for an update later this year. According to tech insider @数码闲聊站, this will be the fourth variant of the 8E5 series, targeting a balance of strong performance and better cost efficiency.
Four Versions of Snapdragon 8E5 Now Identified
The current lineup of Snapdragon 8E5 variants includes:
- SM8850-5-AC: A 7-core version used in the Oppo Find N6 foldable.
- SM8850-AC: The standard Snapdragon 8E5, found in mainstream flagship devices.
- SM8850-1-AD: A high-frequency version powering Samsung Galaxy S26 and Fold8 series, RedMagic 11S, and gaming tablets.
- SM8850-1-AB: A new update expected in the second half of the year, tuned for a “sweet spot” performance level, aiming for single-core scores near 3600 and multi-core around 11300 in Geekbench 6 benchmarking. This version promises solid performance while reducing costs compared to the standard 8E5.
This “sweet spot” variant is expected to be popular in mid-to-high-end smartphones priced around the $400-$500 range, offering good performance with sufficient peripheral support. It also reflects industry trends towards balancing performance and affordability amid rising semiconductor and storage costs.
Implications for Xiaomi and POCO Devices
Recent confirmation from Mi Code shows POCO’s upcoming F9 Pro and F9 Ultra models will use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (SM8850) from 2025 rather than the unreleased Gen 6. These devices include features like 185 Hz AMOLED panels supplied by TCL, ultrasonic fingerprint sensors, IP ratings for durability, and fast charging (100W wired, 50W wireless).
The POCO F9 Ultra, known internally as Songyuan and related to the REDMI K100 Pro Max in China, reportedly includes a massive 10,000mAh battery. Meanwhile, the POCO F9 Pro, codenamed Athens and linked to the REDMI K100, features an 8000mAh+ battery. Both models feature a 200MP main camera.
Qualcomm’s development of this more affordable Snapdragon 8E5 version likely responds to the high costs of the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chipset. It offers brands like Xiaomi and POCO a way to reduce device costs without drastically compromising flagship-level chip performance.
Background on Snapdragon 8E5 Performance
The Snapdragon 8E5 debuted in September 2023, based on Qualcomm’s Oryon CPU architecture. It includes two large cores clocked at up to 4.6GHz and six high-performance cores at up to 3.62GHz, delivering a 20% boost in single-thread and 17% in multi-thread performance relative to predecessors. Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series later introduced a customized version featuring a third-generation Oryon CPU core for around 19% faster performance and improved image processing.
The upcoming “sweet spot” variant (SM8850-1-AB) appears designed to provide a good balance between this high performance and cost efficiency, fitting the mid-flagship tier as semiconductor costs rise.
