Qualcomm is all set to unveil its next flagship chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Elite, on October 21, 2024. This powerful new chipset, originally expected to be called the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, is now confirmed as Snapdragon 8 Elite. Built on TSMC’s 3nm process, the chip is expected to deliver massive improvements in performance and efficiency, boasting two performance cores at 4.0GHz and six efficiency cores at 2.8GHz.
With Qualcomm’s new powerhouse ready to debut, major smartphone manufacturers like OnePlus, Xiaomi, iQOO, Honor, and Realme are preparing to incorporate this next-gen chipset into their flagship devices. Here’s a detailed look at some of the highly anticipated smartphones that will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, along with their expected launch dates, specifications, and prices.
OnePlus 13
- Expected Launch: October 2024 (China)
- Expected Price: ₹70,000 – ₹80,000 (India)
The OnePlus 13 is anticipated to be one of the first smartphones to feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. Building upon the success of the OnePlus 12, this upcoming device will offer significant upgrades, including a 6.82-inch 2K LTPO AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, enhanced battery life, and improved ingress protection. With its slim, slightly redesigned form and robust performance, the OnePlus 13 is set to impress.
Key Specifications (Expected):
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.82-inch 2K LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) |
| RAM & Storage | LPDDR5X RAM, UFS 4.0 storage |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP (main) + 50MP (ultrawide) + 50MP (periscope, 3x optical) |
| Front Camera | 32MP |
| Battery & Charging | 6,000mAh, 100W wired, 50W wireless charging |
| Miscellaneous | IP68/IP69 rating, NFC, IR blaster, Alert Slider, ultrasonic fingerprint scanner |
Xiaomi 15 Series
- Expected Launch: October 20, 2024 (China)
- Expected Price: ₹70,000 – ₹1,00,000 (India)
The Xiaomi 15 Series will feature three models: Xiaomi 15, Xiaomi 15 Pro, and Xiaomi 15 Ultra. These smartphones will pack Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite and offer premium features such as Leica-tuned cameras, up to 16GB of RAM, and impressive charging capabilities. The Xiaomi 15 Pro is expected to feature a 6.7-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 6,000mAh battery with 90W fast charging.
Key Specifications of Xiaomi 15 Pro (Expected):
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.7-inch 2K LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) |
| RAM & Storage | Up to 16GB RAM, 1TB storage |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP (main) + 50MP (ultrawide) + 50MP (telephoto, 5x optical) |
| Front Camera | 32MP |
| Battery & Charging | 6,000mAh, 90W wired, wireless charging support |
| Miscellaneous | Leica camera tuning, HyperOS 2.0 |
iQOO 13
- Expected Launch: December 2024 (India)
- Expected Price: ₹55,000 (India)
The iQOO 13 is another exciting addition to the Snapdragon 8 Elite lineup. Known for offering high-end specs at competitive prices, iQOO is expected to introduce this phone in India between December 1 and 10, 2024. The phone will likely sport a 6.78-inch 2K LTPO AMOLED display, 120W fast charging, and a 6,000mAh battery. With IP68 rating and 2x optical zoom, this phone promises to be a well-rounded flagship option.
Key Specifications (Expected):
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.78-inch 2K LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) |
| RAM & Storage | LPDDR5X RAM, UFS 4.0 storage |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP (main) + 50MP (ultrawide) + 50MP (telephoto, 2x optical) |
| Battery & Charging | 6,000mAh, 120W wired charging |
| Miscellaneous | IP68 rating, NFC, IR blaster, ultrasonic fingerprint scanner |
Honor Magic 7 Series
- Expected Launch: October 30, 2024 (India)
- Expected Price: ₹60,000 – ₹70,000 (India)
Honor’s Magic 7 Series will include multiple models, such as the Honor Magic 7, Honor Magic 7 Pro, and Honor Magic 7 RSR Porsche Design. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, this series will focus on delivering high performance along with 100W fast charging and satellite connectivity for certain models. It’s rumored to come with Android 15-based MagicOS 9.
Key Specifications (Expected):
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) |
| Charging | 100W fast charging |
| Software | Android 15-based MagicOS 9 |
Realme GT 7 Pro
- Expected Launch: November 2024
- Expected Price: ₹60,000 – ₹70,000 (India)
The Realme GT 7 Pro is expected to launch in November 2024 as the successor to the Realme GT 5 Pro. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, the phone is expected to have a 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED display, 50MP triple-camera setup, and a 6,000mAh battery with 100W fast charging. Realme aims to position this phone as a high-value flagship with excellent performance.
Key Specifications (Expected):
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.82-inch 1.5K LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP (main) + 50MP (periscope) + ultrawide |
| Battery & Charging | 6,000mAh, 100W fast charging |
| Miscellaneous | IP68 rating, NFC, ultrasonic fingerprint scanner |
Snapdragon 8 Elite: What’s Next?
The Snapdragon 8 Elite is shaping up to be one of the most powerful and efficient mobile chipsets ever produced. With its 3nm architecture and Oryon CPU cores, it is set to redefine the performance standards for flagship smartphones in 2025. Whether it’s gaming, photography, or AI-enhanced multitasking, phones powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite are expected to offer top-tier experiences. The OnePlus 13, Xiaomi 15, and iQOO 13 are just a few of the exciting phones leading this charge.
Conclusion
In 2025, the race to adopt the Snapdragon 8 Elite will dominate the flagship smartphone market. With industry giants like OnePlus, Xiaomi, Honor, and Realme entering the competition, tech enthusiasts can expect significant advancements in mobile technology. From superb camera systems to ultra-fast charging and seamless user experiences, these upcoming devices will deliver top-notch features and performance, making 2025 an exciting year for smartphones.
Stay tuned for more updates on these cutting-edge smartphones, as they’re bound to push the boundaries of what mobile devices can do.
