Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro: limited improvements for the CPU but will impress with GPU and AI features according to a leak

There is great anticipation for the debut of the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro, a new top-of-the-line chip that will enrich Qualcomm's range during the second half of 2026 (there will also be a base "non-Pro" version that is less powerful). A new leak gives us a glimpse of the SoC's potential.

A leap in quality?

The new Snapdragon chip will be manufactured using TSMC's 2 nm production process, which should ensure several improvements over the 3 nm used by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.

According to initial information, the chip will utilize an octa-core CPU with a 2+3+3 architecture, with 2 Prime Cores assigned to handle tasks requiring maximum computing power. The other two clusters, which will differ in clock frequency, will manage less demanding activities.

The performance improvement of the CPU is expected to be below 20%, with Qualcomm potentially opting for a different approach compared to the past, aiming to maximize efficiency at the expense of some performance enhancements.

The SoC will feature several upgrades, including the new Adreno GPU, a larger cache, and support for LPDDR6 memory, all of which will enhance the chip's specifications.

The new Snapdragon could offer a much faster GPU and ensure superior performance regarding "on-device" AI functionalities, while the CPU improvement will be limited. Further details about the chip will arrive in the coming weeks, with the presentation expected by the end of summer or at the latest, the beginning of autumn.