Your next Android phone is getting a huge power | Tech News

Every yr we dance the identical dance. Firstly in September, Apple releases its new flagship iPhone gadgets with new, beefed-up processors inside. Then, a month or so later, Qualcomm unveils its newest competing processor it sells to Apple’s Android rivals within the hope of protecting up with Cupertino.

The iPhone 17 is on sale now with Apple’s A19 chip, whereas the slim iPhone Air and maxed-out iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max have the A19 Pro.

Ahead of Qualcomm’s annual Snapdragon Summit in Hawaii this week, which is earlier than standard working September 23 to 25, the firm has spilled the beans on its essential announcement, unveiling the identify of the chipset that may take the struggle to Apple’s A19 for Android telephones in 2026.

Qualcomm’s new processor is referred to as the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. It replaces, confusingly, the Snapdragon 8 Elite that debuted final yr and will be present in telephones such because the Samsung Galaxy S25, Honor Magic 7 Pro and OnePlus 13.

The strongest chip Qualcomm produced for cellphones in 2023 was referred to as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, earlier than switching to the ‘Elite’ branding final yr. That might be thought-about the fourth-gen, therefore the return, albeit clumsily, to the fifth-gen moniker.

“It might look like we skipped generations, but the truth is simpler — and more powerful,” stated Don McGuire, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, Qualcomm.

“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. By aligning with Gen 5, we’re reinforcing its leadership position and simplifying how consumers understand our product roadmap.”

I’d wager most shoppers don’t even take into consideration Qualcomm’s product roadmap, however Android smartphone fans possible will.

Those followers must wait till later this week for Snapdragon Summit’s extra data to get the total skinny on what Qualcomm has improved although, as this initial announcement is mild on technical element.

Despite this, you’ll be able to count on a host of next-gen Android flagship telephones to run the 8 Elite Gen 5, together with the upcoming Xiaomi 17 collection, in response to rumours. As a sidenote, it appears to be like as if Xiaomi has skipped the ‘16’ identify totally, succeeding the Xiaomi 15 by matching the quantity of the iPhone 17. Feels a bit cynical.

Samsung may even very possible use the chip in its anticipated Galaxy S26 collection early next yr, presumably with the “8 Elite Gen 5 For Galaxy” identify, a suffix it has tagged on the previous couple of years due to close work with Qualcomm to offer barely larger clock speeds.

OnePlus, Honor, Nubia and different companies are prone to announce their 2026 telephones with the 8 Elite Gen 5, too. Express.co.uk shall be bringing you the most recent Qualcomm information this week because it is introduced at Snapdragon Summit.