Snapdragon 8 Elite 6th generation will be released in two standard and pro versions

Qualcomm is on the verge of a major strategic change for its flagship chips, and it seems that 2026 will see a new approach from the company. According to new reports, the 6th generation Snapdragon 8 Elite processor will be available in two different versions. This action can create more differentiation between flagship Android phones and provide manufacturers and buyers more flexibility to choose. The news was first reported by a reliable whistleblower, Digital Chat Station, on the Weibo social network, revealing initial details of the dual strategy.

According to this report, both versions of the 6th generation Snapdragon 8 Elite chip will be produced based on TSMC’s 2nm manufacturing process and use the same processor architecture with a 2+3+3 design. However, key differences lie elsewhere. A version will be released as a “Pro” model, which will have improved graphics processor (GPU) specifications and will support the new generation of RAM memory, namely LPDDR6. In contrast, the standard version will likely come with a weaker GPU and support for an older generation of RAM. Other technical specifications will remain the same between these two models.

This approach is a completely new move for Qualcomm. In the past, the company usually released only one version of its flagship chip, except in special cases such as overclocked versions exclusive to Samsung. Offering two options allows smartphone manufacturers to market their products at different prices and features. This can be both an advantage and a challenge. On the one hand, we may see cheaper flagships for users who don’t need ultra-high graphics power or the fastest RAM available. On the other hand, this variety can cause confusion for consumers, as two phones with the same name may perform completely differently. However, this information is still a rumor and we have to wait for official confirmation from Qualcomm.

Source: androidheadlines