Snapdragon 8s Gen 4: Qualcomm's Confusing New Chip
Qualcomm's Snapdragon processor naming conventions are already complex, but the upcoming Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 adds another layer of confusion. Originally rumored as the Snapdragon 8s Elite, this new SoC is skipping the "Elite" branding, according to leaker Digital Chat Station. This seemingly minor change raises questions about Qualcomm's future naming strategy.
What We Know About the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4
Built on TSMC's 4nm process, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 boasts a 1+3+2+2 core configuration: one 3.21GHz Cortex-X4 prime core, three 3.01GHz Cortex-A720 performance cores, two 2.8GHz Cortex-A720 cores, and two efficiency-focused 2.02GHz Cortex-A720 cores. The graphics are handled by an Adreno 825 GPU, a slightly scaled-down version of the Adreno 830 in the Snapdragon 8 Elite. The ISP, however, remains the same as the Elite.
Why No "Elite"?
The absence of the "Elite" designation stems from the chip's architecture. Unlike the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which utilizes Qualcomm's proprietary Oryon CPU cores, the 8s Gen 4 relies on standard ARM cores. This architectural difference appears to be the deciding factor in the name change.
Impact and Availability
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4's arrival without a corresponding 8 Gen 4 (presumed to be the rebranded 8 Elite) only adds to the existing naming confusion. However, phones featuring this chip are expected as early as April 2025, with models like the Redmi Turbo 4 Pro and iQOO Z10 Turbo Pro rumored to be among the first.
Conclusion
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 promises solid performance, but its naming raises eyebrows. Qualcomm's continued use of complex nomenclature might confuse consumers. Ultimately, only time will tell whether this new naming convention will stick. Stay tuned for further updates as we approach the official launch.