Key Takeaways
- Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite (v2) value improve could exceed $200.
- The following-gen Snapdragon 8 Elite chip could possibly be fabricated on TSMC’s N3P node and provide a 20% efficiency enchancment.
- Gadget makers like Samsung could elevate flagship telephone costs in 2026 as a consequence of elevated element pricing from Qualcomm.
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite presents a notable enchancment in efficiency and effectivity over earlier Snapdragon chips, promising next-gen Android telephones with much more spectacular options and longer battery life. Nevertheless, this comes at a value, with studies suggesting producers are paying Qualcomm as a lot as $190 for the chip — 20% greater than the earlier fashions. With such a steep value rise this 12 months, you may count on Qualcomm to not hike the worth of its subsequent flagship SoC. Early studies recommend that may not be the case, although.
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A report from Korean outlet Kipost claims Qualcomm will considerably hike the worth of the Snapdragon 8 Elite (2nd gen) (by way of @Jukanlosreve). Even a 5% value bump over the Snapdragon 8 Elite would push its successor’s value to over $200. A number of inner and exterior elements will seemingly be answerable for this value bump.
Chinese language leaker Digital Chat Station claims the Snapdragon 8 Elite (v2) might be fabricated on TSMC’s N3P node. That is an enhanced model of TSMC’s present 3nm node, which ought to ship even higher transistor density for higher efficiency and effectivity. He claims the chip may deliver at the very least a 20% efficiency enchancment. If true, Qualcomm will at the very least have a robust purpose to cost extra for its upcoming AP.
Nevertheless, the elevated software processor (AP) price may put stress on the revenue margins of gadget makers, like Samsung, Xiaomi, and others. To compensate for this, they may bump the worth of their 2026 flagship telephones. There are rumors that Samsung’s Galaxy S25 sequence will price extra in some markets as a consequence of elevated element pricing. The Galaxy S24 Extremely was already $100 dearer than its predecessor.
Qualcomm has no direct rival within the smartphone SoC area
Android gadget makers haven’t any alternative however to depend on Qualcomm for sourcing flagship SoCs for his or her telephones and tablets. MediaTek is the one different notable SoC provider, however its flagship chips are usually behind these of Snapdragon. Its newest Dimensity 9400 adjustments this, rivaling or coming near the Snapdragon 8 Elite in most benchmarks and workloads. Nevertheless, the corporate must show it could actually hold this momentum as much as win the belief of gadget makers and shoppers.
Samsung additionally has its in-house Exynos division, however its SoCs have been considerably behind the competitors in energy effectivity and efficiency. The hole is so massive now that Samsung may go all-in with the Snapdragon 8 Elite for the Galaxy S25 sequence.