Qualcomm announces Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for next-gen Androids

Qualcomm has announced its next flagship mobile processor, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, set to debut at the company's annual Snapdragon Summit from September 23 to 25. 

The chip will likely succeed last year's Snapdragon 8 Elite and is expected to power upcoming premium Android smartphones, including Samsung's Galaxy S26 and the OnePlus 15.

The company said the new name reflects the fifth generation of its high-end Snapdragon 8-series since it introduced a single-digit naming structure. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, Gen 2 and Gen 3 were followed by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which represented the fourth generation. 

In an official statement, Qualcomm clarified that bringing back generation numbers alongside the "Elite" label makes the progression clearer to consumers while aligning with cultural sensitivities, as the number four is often considered unlucky in China.

"Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 marks the fifth generation of our premium 8-series platforms," the company said in a blog post explaining the decision. "It might look like we skipped generations, but the truth is simpler — and more powerful."

The launch comes as Qualcomm seeks to strengthen its position against rivals such as Apple, who recently unveiled the A19 Pro chipset. The new processor is expected to set the standard for performance and efficiency in the next wave of flagship Android devices.