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Qualcomm is set to host its annual Snapdragon Summit next month, and it appears that they will be unveiling not one, but potentially two new flagship chipsets, which can reshape the Android landscape in 2026. The main focus of the chatter is the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 (SM8850) and the rumoured Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 (SM8845).

Snapdragon 8 Elite 2: The Next Android Powerhouse

As Qualcomm’s top-tier mobile chipset, the successor to the Snapdragon 8 Elite will be the unprecedented Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, which will be designated SM8850. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 line was critically acclaimed but set sustained fire under Qualcomm with its flagship Shipment figure with the new “Gen” branding.

This chip will most likely be the default choice for flagship Androids in 2026, powering phones from Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, and others. Qualcomm is likely to provide official spec count before the Summit, but industry rumours indicate that the new Snapdragon 8 Elite will make significant improvements to the CPU and GPU, AI capabilities, and will support the new wave of generative AI, on-device processing, and mobile gaming.

We expect the official announcement to drop alongside the rest of the big news during the Summit in Hawaii this month.

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Enter Snapdragon 8 Gen 5: A New Upper-Mid Tier?

In a recent leak, prominent Chinese insider Digital Chat Station claims Qualcomm has a second high-end SoC in the works, with the possible moniker Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 and model SM8845.

Now things get a bit interesting: this is not a case of Snapdragon 8s Gen 5 succeeding the 8s Gen 4, which is the logical progression. Rather, the 8 Gen 5 is said to be positioned between the 8s Gen 5 and the 8 Elite 2, creating a new mid-flagship tier in Qualcomm's SoC evolution.

If this is accurate, Qualcomm is still restructuring its branding logic after “switching” from “Gen 4” to “Elite” with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Series earlier this year.

What This Naming Shift Signals

If SM8845 is indeed to be branded as Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, Qualcomm seems to be positioning itself to construct a three-tier flagship chip system:

 

  • Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 (SM8850) – Top-tier flagship
  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 (SM8845) – Upper-mid flagship
  • Snapdragon 8s Gen 5 – Lower flagship segment

 

Qualcomm took a similar approach with their mid-range devices based on Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 and 7s Gen 2, allowing manufacturers to more effectively tailor devices while still meeting performance and cost requirements.

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Will Both Chips Launch Together?

As for Qualcomm and their plans to unveil the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, that remains unclear. We anticipate they may make an announcement at the Summit or quietly release it for select OEMs.

Final Word

Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon Summit could shape the Android flagship landscape for all of 2026. With the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 likely leading the charge and a potential Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 filling a new performance tier, Qualcomm seems set on giving manufacturers more choice—and consumers more performance headroom.

Now it’s just a question of how these chips perform when they finally break cover in Hawaii.