Qualcomm’s next major chipset for premium devices has surfaced in new reports, revealing subtle but important architectural shifts. While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 sits just below the flagship 8 Elite Gen 5 platform, early information suggests that changes to its cache configuration may influence its performance in sustained, high-load gaming scenarios. The chip retains the Elite-class connectivity suite but tweaks its memory layout to target refined efficiency and broader market positioning.
According to details shared by noted tipster DigitalChatStation, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 continues to rely on TSMC’s N3P fabrication process, paired with a CPU/GPU architecture that closely mirrors the Elite variant. However, unlike the 12MB + 12MB cache structure found on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the new chipset adopts a 4MB ultra-large core cache and 12MB large-core cache, marking a significant internal differentiation.
The graphics subsystem is powered by an Adreno 840 GPU with 8 CUs, though without the boosted memory configuration present on the Elite. As a result, the chip may fall slightly behind in extreme gaming workloads but is still expected to deliver stable performance with lower sustained temperatures.
DigitalChatStation also notes that several upcoming devices are preparing to adopt this new silicon. Early candidates include the OnePlus Ace 6T, Vivo S50 Pro Mini, iQOO Z11 Turbo Pro, Moto Edge 70 Ultra, Meizu 23, and select models from Honor. The OnePlus Ace 6T is expected to be one of the first to bring the chip to market.
Despite the lower cache capacity, the tipster claims that real-world gaming performance may be “surprisingly good,” noting that efficiency cores retain their full cache allocation. In internal testing, the gap between the 8 Gen 5 and the 8 Elite reportedly exists but is “not as large as expected.” Compared to budget-oriented platforms such as the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, the new chipset appears to show a clear uplift.
Qualcomm has already made the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 official, confirming its third-generation Oryon CPU cluster with two 3.8GHz prime cores and six 3.32GHz performance cores. Against the older Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the company highlights 36% faster CPU performance, 11% better GPU output, and a sizable 46% jump in AI processing thanks to upgraded on-device inference pathways.
5G connectivity is handled through the familiar X80 modem system, offering flagship-class downlink potential along with enhanced carrier aggregation and improved power efficiency. The platform supports FastConnect 7900, delivering cutting-edge Wi-Fi and Bluetooth features for 2025 smartphones.
With updated AI pipelines, refined CPU performance, and a more efficiency-friendly GPU design, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 aims to power a new wave of premium devices without stepping directly into the flagship Elite tier. As more OEM models surface in the coming weeks, its real-world gaming behavior—and how closely it can track the 8 Elite—will be the key point to watch.
On November 26, 2025, Qualcomm Technologies officially launched its new flagship mobile platform—the fifth-generation Snapdragon 8 (Snapdragon 8 Gen5). This chip, powered by TSMC’s advanced 3nm N3P process, with its all-big-core architecture innovation, breakthroughs in five core areas, and a performance-for-all strategy, completely rewrites the industry curse of “high performance inevitably leads to high heat” in the Android camp, setting a new benchmark for the mobile terminal market in late 2025 and early 2026.
