The Snapdragon 8 Elite and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 are flagship 5G mobile processors built for premium smartphones, combining advanced CPU architecture, powerful graphics processing, efficient manufacturing, and modern connectivity. Snapdragon 8 Elite uses a 3nm process with Qualcomm Oryon cores, while Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 uses a 4nm process with Cortex CPU cores. Both processors support high-resolution cameras, LPDDR5X memory, advanced AI processing, and fast 5G networks for flagship smartphone experiences.
General
Snapdragon 8 Elite and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 differ across launch timeline, manufacturing process, CPU design, and connectivity features. Snapdragon 8 Elite launched in 2024 with Qualcomm's custom Oryon architecture on a 3nm process, while Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 launched in 2022 with ARM-based Cortex cores on a 4nm process for premium Android smartphones.
| Specification | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
|---|
| Launch date | October 2024 | November 2022 |
| Brand | Qualcomm | Qualcomm |
| Model | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| Target segment | Flagship smartphones | Premium flagship smartphones |
| Network support | 5G | 5G |
| Process node | 3nm (TSMC) | 4nm (TSMC) |
| Foundry | TSMC | TSMC |
CPU
Snapdragon 8 Elite uses Qualcomm Oryon CPU architecture with 2 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores reaching up to 4.32GHz, designed for heavy multitasking, AI workloads, and gaming. Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 uses a Cortex-X3 prime core, Cortex-A715/A710 performance cores, and Cortex-A510 efficiency cores reaching up to 3.36GHz for flagship smartphone workloads.
| Specification | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
|---|
| CPU architecture | Qualcomm Oryon | Cortex-X3 + Cortex-A715 + Cortex-A710 + Cortex-A510 |
| Performance cores | 2x Oryon Performance cores @ 4.32GHz | 1x Cortex-X3 @ 3.36GHz + 4x Cortex-A715/A710 @ 2.8GHz |
| Efficiency cores | 6x Oryon Efficiency cores @ 3.53GHz | 3x Cortex-A510 @ 2.0GHz |
| Max clock speed | 4.32GHz | 3.36GHz |
| Instruction set | ARMv8.7-A | ARMv9 |
| 64-bit support | Yes | Yes |
| CPU cores | 8 cores | 8 cores |
Graphics
Snapdragon 8 Elite uses a next-generation Adreno GPU with hardware-accelerated ray tracing and support for high frame rate gaming such as Genshin Impact and PUBG Mobile. Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 uses an Adreno GPU with Vulkan 1.3 support and hardware ray tracing for games like Call of Duty Mobile and Asphalt 9.
| Specification | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
|---|
| GPU model | Adreno GPU | Adreno GPU |
| Vulkan support | Vulkan 1.3 | Vulkan 1.3 |
| OpenGL ES support | OpenGL ES 3.2 | OpenGL ES 3.2 |
| Hardware ray tracing | Yes | Yes |
| Gaming support | Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile | Call of Duty Mobile, Asphalt 9, Genshin Impact |
| Video playback | 8K HDR playback | 8K HDR playback |
| AI upscaling | Snapdragon Game Super Resolution | Snapdragon Game Super Resolution |
Memory
Snapdragon 8 Elite and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 support LPDDR5X memory for flagship smartphones, enabling faster app loading, gaming data access, and AI processing. Snapdragon 8 Elite supports higher memory frequency up to 5,300Mbps, while Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 supports LPDDR5X memory up to 4,200Mbps for demanding multitasking, 4K video editing, and gaming workloads.
| Specification | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
|---|
| Memory type | LPDDR5X | LPDDR5X |
| Max memory frequency | 5,300Mbps | 4,200Mbps |
| Memory bus width | 64-bit | 64-bit |
| Memory bandwidth | 77GB/s | 68GB/s |
| Maximum RAM support | Up to 24GB | Up to 24GB |
| ECC support | Yes | Yes |
Multimedia (ISP)
Snapdragon 8 Elite and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 use advanced camera processing systems for flagship smartphones, supporting high-resolution sensors, AI camera features, and HDR video. Snapdragon 8 Elite integrates the Qualcomm Spectra ISP with improved AI processing, while Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 uses the Cognitive ISP for real-time image segmentation and computational photography.
| Specification | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
|---|
| ISP name | Qualcomm Spectra ISP | Qualcomm Spectra Cognitive ISP |
| UFS support | UFS 4.0 | UFS 4.0 |
| Maximum display resolution | 4K UHD | 4K UHD |
| Display refresh rate support | Up to 240Hz at FHD+ | Up to 144Hz at QHD+ |
| Maximum camera resolution | 320MP | 200MP |
| Multi-camera support | Triple camera support | Triple camera support |
| Video capture | 8K HDR video at 60fps | 8K HDR video at 30fps |
| Slow-motion video | 1080p at 240fps | 1080p at 240fps |
| Video codecs | H.265, VP9, AV1 decode | H.265, VP9, AV1 decode |
Connectivity and network
Snapdragon 8 Elite and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 include integrated 5G modem systems designed for flagship smartphones with fast downloads, cloud gaming, and high-quality video streaming. Snapdragon 8 Elite uses Snapdragon X80 Modem-RF with up to 10Gbps download speed, while Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 uses Snapdragon X70 Modem-RF with up to 10Gbps download speed.
| Specification | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
|---|
| 5G modem | Snapdragon X80 5G Modem-RF | Snapdragon X70 5G Modem-RF |
| 5G download speed | Up to 10Gbps | Up to 10Gbps |
| 5G upload speed | Up to 3.5Gbps | Up to 3.5Gbps |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| GNSS | Dual-frequency GNSS | Dual-frequency GNSS |
| 4G support | LTE | LTE |