Why the New 'Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5' Naming Matters for Your Next Android Phone

Qualcomm clarifies the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 naming isn't a skipped generation but aligning with the 5 gen of its premium 8-series platforms.

Image: Qualcomm

Qualcomm has officially confirmed its next flagship mobile chipset for the upcoming year, the "Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5." While the announcement is exciting, the new naming convention has caused some confusion, differing slightly from its predecessor, the Snapdragon 8 Elite. This change, however, is not arbitrary; it's a deliberate choice to align with the fifth generation of the company's premium 8-series platform.

The upcoming Snapdragon Summit 2025 is set to begin on September 23. Ahead of this event, Qualcomm clarified the new name through an official blog post. The company stated they haven't skipped a generation, but rather are returning to a more consistent nomenclature. In a statement, they explained, "It might look like we skipped generations, but the truth is simpler — and more powerful. Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 marks the fifth generation of our premium 8-series platforms since we introduced our new single digit naming and visual identity." This strategic naming helps streamline the product roadmap, making it easier for both consumers and manufacturers to understand.

The Significance of the 'Elite' Tier

A question on many people's minds is why the company continues to use the "Elite" term when the name could technically have been "8 Gen 4." Qualcomm's explanation is that the Snapdragon 8 Elite represents a "new tier within our premium lineup, marking unprecedented performance gains." The "Elite" badge is reserved for the company's most advanced platforms, those that push boundaries in capability, experience, and innovation. Therefore, the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is an iteration of this premium lineup, designed to continue the high standards set by its predecessor in terms of performance, timing, and portfolio fit. This new chipset is poised to further revolutionize the performance of future Android phones.

Navigating the Competitive Landscape: Snapdragon vs. Apple

With competitors like Apple having already introduced their new A19 Pro chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 will need to be at the top of its game to claim the crown for the best mobile chipset. The intensity of this competition is set to be high. Major Android competitors like Samsung and Google are likely candidates to use the Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset for their upcoming flagship series, such as the Galaxy S26 series, which is expected to launch in January 2026 at the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event.