Qualcomm has unveiled the highly-anticipated Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, which will power next generation Android smartphones. It is expected to be up to 35% faster than the Gen 1 and 40% more efficient.
OnePlus, Motorola and Xiaomi are some of the confirmed brands that will launch devices with this processor. Some models may be launched before the end the year. It is expected to power Samsung Galaxy S23, due for launch in early 2023.
Specifications for Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
The Gen 2 flagship chipset is technically the second generation, but it’s actually the third since Qualcomm changed its naming system.
Samsung’s Snapdragon 8 Generation 1 disappointed and was quickly replaced The TSMC-made 8+ Generation 1 processor has been replaced. It produced less heat and provided better performance. Qualcomm chose TSMC for Gen 2 and, while it is still based on 4nm technology, it has many impressive features.
Wi-Fi 7 is supported, plus a new modem for 5G that promises improved speed, coverage, latency, and reliability.
Gaming is given a boost by real-time Hardware accelerated Ray Tracing Bluetooth audio with ultra-low latency and Bluetooth audio. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 also supports cameras up to 200MP—something we’re expecting to see in the upcoming Galaxy S23—and can shoot 8K video in 10-bit HDR.
There’s also the promise of a massive speed increase in all areas. The Gen 2 includes a prime 3.2Ghz Core, four 2.8Ghz Performance Cores and three 2Ghz Efficiency Cores. These make it 35% more efficient than the Gen 1 and 40% faster. The GPU renders graphics 25% faster and is up 40% more efficient. The Qualcomm Hexagon processor provides 4.35x faster AI performance.
Qualcomm confirmed its partnership with many manufacturers including Asus, Honor Motorola, OnePlus and Sony. Some devices will launch before the end.
Although Samsung has not been confirmed, the company did sign a multi-year agreement with Qualcomm a few month ago. The Gen 2 is expected to feature in the Galaxy S23 in all regions—replacing Samsung’s own Exynos chip.
What Will Gen 2 Do?
The Gen 2 looks great and should be a major upgrade to ranges like Galaxy S23. While most S22 models had the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset (which is less efficient), a few countries used the Exynos chip. The S23 upgrade to the Gen 2 could prove more beneficial than the annual updates.
We’ll need to wait and see how it does once the benchmark tests have been completed. In the next few weeks, we can expect this.