Qualcomm has unveiled its latest flagship mobile processor, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, built on TSMC’s 3nm process. It features Qualcomm’s third-generation Oryon CPU, clocked up to 4.6GHz, and a new Adreno GPU that delivers 40% more graphics performance while using less power.
The Hexagon NPU has also been upgraded, offering 37% faster AI computations. Qualcomm describes this as the era of “Agentic AI”, where assistants anticipate user actions rather than simply reacting.
Snapdragon X2 Elite for Windows Laptops
For PCs, Qualcomm introduced the Snapdragon X2 Elite and X2 Elite Extreme chips. These processors target next-generation Windows laptops with multi-core performance gains, better GPU efficiency, and enhanced AI acceleration.
Benchmarks show the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 competing closely with Apple’s A19 Pro, even surpassing some desktop chips in single-core tests.
Efficiency and Real-World Gains
Qualcomm is focusing on power efficiency. The new Elite series promises 20–23% performance gains over previous generations without higher power consumption.
This means smoother gaming, improved video performance through the new APV codec, and more responsive AI features.
Devices and Adoption
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 will debut in phones like the Xiaomi 17 series and OnePlus 15. On the PC side, premium ultrabooks will soon ship with the X2 Elite processors.
Impact Beyond Hardware
For global markets, the chips represent Qualcomm’s most serious challenge to Apple’s dominance in mobile silicon. For emerging markets like Nigeria, the impact may hinge on price and ecosystem support. Affordable AI-ready smartphones and laptops could boost productivity and entrepreneurship if adoption barriers are addressed.
