Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 arrives with a bold AI and speed push
At the Snapdragon Summit 2025, Qualcomm pulled back the curtain on its top phone chip. The new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 centers on the Oryon CPU, which the company calls the fastest mobile core in service. It also ships with an Adreno GPU and a Hexagon NPU to handle AI tasks.
The third-gen Oryon chip promises peak speeds up to 4.6GHz. Qualcomm also claims the CPU delivers up to 35% better power efficiency and saves about 16% of the overall SoC energy. The design includes hardware AI acceleration right on the CPU to speed up AI workloads and boost performance across the board.
Rough numbers that help frame the claim
In our tests on a reference device, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 hit a single-core Geekbench 6 score of 3,793 and a multi-core score of 12,287. That puts it ahead of the best earlier reference from the line, which logged 3,156 single-core and 10,036 multi-core. Against a recent popular model, the iPhone 17 Pro Max, a single-core score of 3,779 is close, while the iPhone’s multi-core score lands around 9,701. Benchmarks aren’t life, but they do give a feel for what to expect from real devices with this chip.
The company also points to AI features that run deeper on the platform. Expect AI agents that can take on tasks on your behalf, a nod to the rumored Jarvis-style assistant. The built-in NPU can smooth photo edits with auto filters and provide real-time translation during trips. The Hexagon engine is said to be about 37% faster than last year and includes special accelerators that help run large language models while keeping battery use in check.
Video, camera, and new photo tricks
Qualcomm pitches the Elite Gen 5 as a pro-grade video toolkit. It includes a new AI-powered camera path and support for HDR video capture with immediate highlights. The platform leans on Advanced Professional Video Codec to deliver high-bitrate footage and smoother post-production workflows. Qualcomm even talks up fully computational video on Snapdragon phones, a feature that scans every frame and pulls useful data for the final image. The company also highlights the Image Spectra Signal processor for AI-based image tweaks, like better low-light shots and real-time tone adjustments.
GPU and memory upgrades
The Adreno GPU gains about 23% in overall performance while cutting power use by roughly 20%. The chip introduces Mesh Shading, which shifts some rendering work from the CPU to the GPU for more efficiency. A new Adreno High Performance Memory cache is designed to boost memory bandwidth and cut fetch latency, aiding smooth gameplay. Qualcomm adds that these gains translate into longer battery life in demanding games and apps. To help developers, Tencent is listed as a partner to optimize Adreno HPM for even smoother play.
Sound, connectivity, and a smarter wireless stack
The platform supports the Snapdragon Sound Technology Suite, paired with the Qualcomm XPAN system. This duo aims to deliver higher-quality wireless audio and easier use with earbuds for music, calls, and AI interactions. XPAN promises 24-bit, 96kHz lossless streaming alongside still receiving calls and messages.
On the data side, a robust AI-powered mobility stack sits on top of the FastConnect 7900 system. It brings Wi-Fi 7 support with energy savings up to 40% and as much as 50% lower gaming latency when AI ramps up the network.
The X85 5G Modem-RF is Qualcomm’s latest for Android phones. It pairs 5G speed with a 5G AI Processor to boost streaming, downloads, and network reliability. Qualcomm says you can see peak down speeds around 12.5Gbps and up speeds near 3.7Gbps. The combo aims to offer steadier connections, longer battery life, and better location accuracy in busy areas.
What devices are coming next
With these upgrades, top Android brands sit ready to launch flagships using the 8 Elite Gen 5. Expect OnePlus, Samsung, Xiaomi, and other big names to ship devices with this chip soon. The goal is to give games, photo work, and video editing a boost in speed and efficiency, along with smarter performance helpers all day.
A new era for mobile gaming and creative work
Qualcomm’s latest move centers on two big ideas. First, it pushes raw speed and efficiency to power dense apps like games and media apps. Second, it leans on AI to speed up tasks and open possibilities for smarter cameras, faster edits, and better real-time actions. The mixed use of CPU, GPU, and NPU hits a sweet spot for folks who want strong performance without heavy heat or drain.
This platform also signals a broader push toward smoother, more capable tools on phones. The combination of performance helpers, improved image work, and slick display and audio tech makes for a more complete media device. It’s not just about raw numbers; it’s about what those numbers unlock in daily play, content creation, and everyday multitasking.
For game fans, the promise of less lag and steadier frames is the practical upside. For creators, the improved video pipeline and smarter image processing should translate to faster workflows and better visuals with less fuss. The shift toward on-device performance could also help keep battery life reasonable while still running high-end apps.
As always with chips like this, the proof will come with real phones in real hands. If the initial devices live up to the hype, the 8 Elite Gen 5 could set a new bar for what a premium Android phone can do in late 2025 and beyond.
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