A leaked Qualcomm datasheet has revealed that the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will feature a 3nm chip with an Oryon CPU. Set to be officially unveiled in October 2024, this next-generation mobile processor is expected to impact the smartphone industry significantly.
What the leak revealed
On August 18, 2024, a leaked slide surfaced online, providing detailed insights into Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 3nm chip specifications. According to the leak, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will come in two variants. The standard SM8750 and the performance-oriented SM8750P. The SM8750 will cater to various flagship smartphones, while the SM8750P will be exclusive to Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra. The leak confirms Qualcomm’s strategic approach to segmenting its product offerings to meet diverse market needs.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 3nm chip, built using TSMC’s advanced 3nm process, significantly shifts from Qualcomm’s previous focus on raw CPU power. The leaked datasheet indicates that Qualcomm is prioritizing energy efficiency in this new processor. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will feature Qualcomm’s custom Oryon CPU cores, a design previously seen in the Snapdragon X Elite/Plus laptop CPUs.
The decision to emphasize efficiency over raw performance reflects a broader trend in the mobile processor industry, where manufacturers increasingly focus on improving battery life and reducing heat generation.
AI capabilities enhanced
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 3nm chip will include a dedicated Low Power Artificial Intelligence (LPAI) subsystem, featuring an eNPU (DSP Artificial Intelligence Accelerator). This subsystem is designed to power always-on audio, camera, and sensor features, making the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 a key player in the future of on-device generative AI capabilities.
The Qualcomm Sensing Hub (QSH) will work toward these AI advancements. It will offer improved on-device processing for AI-driven applications. The feature can significantly enhance the user experience, particularly in voice recognition, camera functionality, and personalized content generation.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 3nm chip will reportedly feature a 2+6 core configuration, with two performance cores clocked at 4.0GHz and six efficiency cores at 2.8GHz. This configuration underscores Qualcomm’s commitment to balancing performance and power efficiency.
In addition to the Oryon CPU cores, the chip will include the Adreno 830 GPU. It promises improved graphics performance for gaming and multimedia applications. The processor will also feature the Qualcomm Spectra ISP. It should enhance camera capabilities, and the Qualcomm FastConnect 7900 modem, supporting Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. These features collectively position the chip as a comprehensive solution for next-generation mobile devices.
What’s next for Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 3nm?
Qualcomm is set to officially unveil the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 at the Snapdragon Summit 2024, scheduled for October 21. While the leaked slide has provided a glimpse into what to expect, the full picture will become clearer at the event. Xiaomi is rumored to be the first to launch a smartphone powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 3nm chip. The Xiaomi 15 series potentially debuting in China shortly after the summit.
