Qualcomm is back under the limelight as the benchmarks of its imminent Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chipset leak early. The direct follow-up to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 of last year, this new processor is already looking like a big technological jump, not only in terms of raw performance but also in its construction and implementation.
Impressive benchmark scores are one thing, and what is creating more of a buzz is the Qualcomm differentiated 2nm chip strategy. This has the potential of redefining the performance and efficiency of flagship Android smartphones in 2025.
In this deep dive, we are going to dissect the leaked Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 benchmark scores, discuss the significance of the dual 2nm chip strategy, and what implications it all has on the next-generation smartphones by Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Vivo, and other companies.
Highlights
Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 benchmark breaks the 3,000 in single-core and 10,000 in multi-core marks.
TSMC and Samsung Foundry are building it on leading-edge 2nm nodes.
May launch in Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra with region-specific chip differentiation.
Enhanced power efficiency and AI computing may be the mark of a flagship phone in 2025.
A dual-chip strategy could change the landscape of the chipset supply chain in the globe.
What is new in the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 Benchmark?
The Geekbench 6 scores of the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 leaks are making rounds, and it is raising some eyebrows. Preliminary testing allegedly has the new chipset at
Single-core score: 3,121
Multi-core score: 10481
These scores put it firmly ahead of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and even nearer still to the Apple M3 chip in some benchmarks. Although benchmarks do not necessarily configure directly into real-world performance, these scores indicate a huge leap in CPU performance, particularly in multi-threaded applications.
What is more interesting is the way these results have been reached. The chip is informed by leaks to feature a complex 1+5+2 core design: one ultra-high-performance core at a frequency of approximately 3.8 GHz, five performance cores, and two efficiency cores.
TSMC and Samsung: A Two-Foundry Lottery.
Among the most surprising things about the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, bond benchmark scores are not the only aspects that are surprising since Qualcomm is allegedly manufacturing it in a different manner.
Instead of remaining with one foundry, as has been the case in past years, Qualcomm is likely to divide the manufacturing process between two giants:
TSMC N2 node (Taiwan): Famed to be more efficient.
Samsung 2nm GAA process (South Korea): Region- and cost-conscious manufacturing control
Such a dual foundry approach is unheard of with a high-end Qualcomm chip, and it may have significant ramifications industry-wide with smartphones.
Why Is Qualcomm Turning to Two Various 2nm Chipmakers?
Qualcomm has several reasons that it has opted to diversify its production base.
1. Mitigating the Supply Chain Risks.
Qualcomm seems to be playing it safe in a post-pandemic world where supply chain issues are very much fresh in everyone's memory. Having two manufacturers that are different, it is guaranteed that there will be a constant supply in case one of them experiences a delay in production.
2. Cost Optimization
The 2nm chips produced by TSMC will be relatively costlier because they will have higher yields and energy efficiency. It is possible that Samsung Foundry has a more cost-efficient offering, which will enable Qualcomm to serve premium and mid-premium markets.
3. Regional Customization
Samsung has in the past shipped various chips in various markets (Exynos vs. Snapdragon). It is the same strategy that Qualcomm might be taking now. As an example, the Samsung Galaxy S25 models in the United States can have the TSMC variant, whereas international models might have variants produced by Samsung itself.
Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 vs. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: Major Differences
Specification Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Snapdragon 8 Elite 2
Node Process 4nm TSMC 2nm TSMC/Samsung
CPU Setting 1+5+2 1+5+2
Max Clock Speed ~3.3GHz ~3.8GHz
AI Performance: Decent, Much Better
GPU Adreno 750 Next-gen Adreno (Unnamed)
Battery Efficiency Increased Significant Improvement Anticipated
Launch Year 2023–2025
The largest improvement is with power efficiency and bare multi-core performance. An increase in total processing by more than 20 percent with a possible battery savings of 15 to 20 percent should be experienced.
Real-World Impact: Implications for You
The actual question is: what will be the difference made by the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 to ordinary users?
1. Battery Life
By going to 2nm, users will see improved battery life even on heavy-use days. The smaller node and more intelligent thermal management will save power, and phones will not warm up as fast and can get a few more hours.
2. Gaming and Graphics
The new Adreno GPU on Qualcomm with the 8 Elite 2 is likely to have hardware-accelerated ray tracing with better frame rates. Even the throttling will be reduced in the high-end games in 2025, even during prolonged gaming sessions.
3. On-Device Intelligence AI
The Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 is optimized for AI, whether it is photography, voice processing, or even predictive UI behavior. Qualcomm Hexagon NPU is also improved, which can execute 3 times more AI tasks, supporting new camera functions, real-time translation, and augmented/virtual reality.
4. Camera Features
Enhancements to image signal processing (ISP) will make smartphones more efficient in recording 8K HDR video, permit real-time object identification, and provide such features as background blur in videos with little lag.
Phones that may use Snapdragon 8 Elite 2
Judging by the history of launches of Qualcomm, the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 will be found in the highest-end Android smartphones. These can be
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (early 2025)
Xiaomi 15 Pro and Ultra models
OnePlus 13 Pro
Vivo X200 Pro+
iQOO 13 series
ASUS ROG Phone 9 (gaming-focused performance)
It is expected that the chip will be announced in late Q4 2024 and will start showing up in commercial devices in Q1 2025.
What Fast Food Chains Analysts Are Saying
The analysts in the industry consider the move by Qualcomm to divide its manufacturing between two foundries as a bold and yet necessary move. Qualcomm should have a versatile and future-proof strategy as the chipset market gets more competitive with the A-series chips in the Apple ecosystem and the Dimensity series in the MediaTek ecosystem also developing.
According to some experts, it is the view of Qualcomm to test the capabilities of both foundries on the same designs, as the results may shape long-term production decisions using this moment.
How it compares to the A18 Pro by Apple and MediaTek Dimensity 9400
Since Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 is about to be released, it will be entering the market in which the rival companies are also testing limits.
Specifications Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 Apple A18 Pro (predicted) Dimensity 9400
Process Node 2nm (TSMC + Samsung) 2nm TSMC 3nm TSMC
Benchmark Scores ~10,000 Multi-core ~10,500 Multi-core ~9,200
GPU Power Next-Gen Adreno Apple Custom Mali G720
emphasize AI + Gaming + Power Efficiency + Software Sync Value + Thermal
It appears that Qualcomm is trying to balance pure performance with the wider compatibility of Android makers. In its turn, Apple still holds the leadership in terms of iOS custom optimization.
Dual-Foundry Strategy: Advantages and Disadvantages.
Pros
Increased worldwide availability
Reduced concentration on one supplier.
Time to drive production more rapidly.
Price competition across the regions
Cons
Minor difference in performance between versions of the chip.
Potential unclear consumer markets
To the app developers, they might have to optimize two variants.
At this point, there is no reason to believe that the average consumer would be able to feel the difference between a TSMC-produced and Samsung-produced Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 device in actual use. However, there might be minor differences that can be noticed by hardcore gamers and enthusiasts of benchmarking.
What to Look Forward to in the Next Few Months
At the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 is expected to be revealed by November 2024 during the annual Snapdragon Summit by Qualcomm, we will probably learn more about it in the coming months. The details regarding chip-specific features, thermal designs, and AI improvements will be known closer to the official device launches.
Provided that Samsung uses this chip in its S25 Ultra, as rumored, the dual foundry model might become the new standard of flagship SoCs in the future.
Conclusion
Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 is not another flagship processor. It marks a new beginning of the premium chipset design and distribution. Thanks to improved 2nm technology, AI updates, and a cunning dual-sourcing policy, Qualcomm is planning to be one step ahead of Apple and MediaTek in 2025.
In the hands of users, it translates to quicker smartphones, improved battery life span, improved camera experience, and more intelligent AI functionality. To the smartphone brands, it translates to flexibility and reduced risk of supply.
With the arrival of an era of mobile computing, the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 could become the most critical Android chip to observe.
Disclaimer
All the technical specifications and benchmark scores stated in this article are according to early leaks and reports and are subject to change when it is officially launched.
