Qualcomm has officially confirmed the name of its upcoming flagship processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. This new chip will succeed the Snapdragon 8 Elite and is set to be fully unveiled during the upcoming Snapdragon Summit. Positioned as Qualcomm’s top-tier processor, it will power many of the leading Android flagship smartphones expected in 2026.
At first glance, the naming choice may appear inconsistent compared to its predecessor. However, Qualcomm explained on its official blog that the decision reflects the processor’s place within its broader roadmap.
According to the company, the “Gen 5” designation signifies the fifth generation of its premium Snapdragon 8 series, which began with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. Since then, Qualcomm has released the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, Gen 3, and 8 Elite (considered Gen 4). With the launch of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the company aligns its branding to emphasize continuity, clarity, and leadership in the market.
Qualcomm highlighted that the use of the “Elite” label reinforces the positioning of this chip as the pinnacle of its technology — delivering the highest levels of performance and user experience. The company aims to ensure consumers recognize the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 as part of a carefully planned progression in its premium processor strategy.
The announcement also confirmed which manufacturer will debut the new processor. Xiaomi will be the first to launch smartphones featuring the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, continuing a long-standing partnership between the two companies. The upcoming Xiaomi 17 series will be the first devices powered by the new chip.
Notably, Xiaomi is also changing its naming structure: instead of continuing with the Xiaomi 16 line, the company will move directly to the Xiaomi 17 series. This change is reportedly intended to align more closely with Apple’s product naming, signaling its ambitions in the competitive flagship market.
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