Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Debuts With Big AI and Gaming Boosts

Qualcomm has launched its newest processor, the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which introduces a custom CPU design for the first time in years. The Oryon CPU inside this chip signals Qualcomm’s shift back to creating its own architecture rather than using Arm’s designs. The new chip offers better performance and more power efficiency, making it a major player for high-end smartphones hitting the market soon.

This latest release follows Qualcomm’s decision to pause its acquisition of Intel amid growing regulatory scrutiny. Qualcomm had its eyes on Intel as a way to strengthen its position in the global chip market, but with political uncertainty in the U.S., the company is holding off for now. This delay doesn’t seem to be slowing Qualcomm’s innovation on the mobile front, though, as the Snapdragon 8 Elite is packed with features that go beyond raw processing power.

Faster CPU and Enhanced Gaming Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Elite’s Oryon CPU is built to handle intense workloads with two Prime cores and six Performance cores. These cores can clock up to 4.32 GHz, making it one of the fastest mobile processors currently available. Qualcomm is betting big on this new architecture to improve speed, battery life, and user experience. The shift to a custom CPU gives the company more flexibility to tweak performance for specific mobile tasks.

Qualcomm also made major improvements to the GPU. The new Adreno GPU in the 8 Elite brings a 40% boost in graphics performance, along with a 35% better ray tracing capability. This is particularly important for gamers, as the chip will support smoother gameplay and enhanced visuals. With the addition of dynamic resource allocation through a “Slice” architecture, the GPU manages workloads more efficiently, improving power use during gaming and other resource-heavy tasks.

AI-Driven Features and Camera Upgrades

One of the standout features of the Snapdragon 8 Elite is its focus on AI. Qualcomm has upgraded its Hexagon NPU, which delivers a 45% performance boost according to the company. This makes AI-driven tasks, such as real-time image processing or voice recognition, faster and more efficient. Qualcomm has been integrating AI deeper into its chips for years, but the 8 Elite is designed to take things a step further with improved support for large AI models and multitasking.

On the photography side, the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s image signal processor (ISP) now processes images in RAW format, offering better control over photos before they’re finalized. The chip supports camera setups with three 48MP lenses and can even handle huge 320MP sensors, making it a top contender for phones focused on high-quality imaging. AI also plays a bigger role here, allowing the chip to recognize objects in the frame, correct exposure, and remove unwanted elements from videos in real-time.

Hardware Struggles Loom Over New Release

While the Snapdragon 8 Elite represents a leap forward for Qualcomm, the company is also recovering from some hardware missteps. Just a few days ago, Qualcomm pulled its Snapdragon X Elite developer kit from the market after months of delays and design issues. The kit, meant to support developers working on Windows on Arm, failed to live up to expectations, leading to widespread refunds for customers who had pre-ordered the product.

Despite the setback, Qualcomm remains committed to pushing its chips forward. The Snapdragon 8 Elite is already expected to feature in major smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S25, which is set to be one of the first devices powered by the new chip when it launches in early 2025.

Qualcomm’s Regulatory Hurdles and Intel Acquisition Hold

Even as Qualcomm introduces its latest mobile processor, the company is navigating bigger issues. On October 16, reports emerged that the company was hitting pause on a planned acquisition of Intel, a decision driven by concerns over how regulators would react. Qualcomm is closely watching the U.S. election to determine whether the political climate will make such a deal feasible.

Intel itself has been working through internal changes under CEO Pat Gelsinger, who has led the company through a significant reorganization. Intel’s stock has fallen by 37% this year, which makes it a tempting acquisition target for Qualcomm. However, the complexities of such a large deal, especially with Intel playing a critical role in U.S. government initiatives like the 2022 Chips and Science Act, mean that Qualcomm is taking a cautious approach.

Last Updated on November 7, 2024 2:25 pm CET