The smartphone world is buzzing this week with a major announcement. While everyone is talking about the super-premium Snapdragon 8 Elite found in ₹1 Lakh+ phones, Qualcomm has quietly released a new beast for the masses: the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5.
This week, iQOO India officially confirmed that their upcoming phone, the iQOO 15R, will be powered by this new chip. But what exactly is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5? Is it better than the Elite? Why is the naming so confusing?
Here is a simple breakdown of everything you need to know about the processor that will power India’s favorite “Flagship Killer” phones in 2026.
What is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5?
First, let’s clear up the confusion.
- Snapdragon 8 Elite: This is currently the most powerful chip (launched late 2025), used in expensive phones like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and Realme GT 7 Pro. Think of it as the “Gen 4” rebrand.
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 5: This is a brand new chipset designed to sit just below the Elite. It offers 90% of the performance at a much lower price.
In simple terms, if the 8 Elite is a Ferrari, the 8 Gen 5 is a Porsche. It is incredibly fast but built to be more affordable, targeting phones in the ₹40,000 to ₹55,000 price range.
Key Specifications: A “Lite” Version of the Elite?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 is built on the same advanced 3nm manufacturing process as the Elite, ensuring excellent battery efficiency. Here are the key differences:
- CPU Power: It uses the same custom Oryon CPU cores as the Elite but with slightly lower speeds. The Prime cores run at 3.8 GHz (compared to 4.32 GHz on the Elite). This is still faster than last year’s flagship chips.
- Gaming (GPU): It features the Adreno 840 GPU. While it lacks some of the extreme “sliced architecture” features of the Elite’s Adreno 830, it is more than capable of running games like Genshin Impact and BGMI at 90fps or 120fps.
- AI Capabilities: It includes the Hexagon NPU for on-device AI features, though slightly toned down compared to the Elite.
Why This Matters for Indian Users
This chip is a game-changer for the Indian market. In 2025, flagship phone prices skyrocketed, with many crossing the ₹80,000 mark.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 allows brands like iQOO, OnePlus, and POCO to launch high-performance phones under ₹50,000 without using old processors. It brings the “Flagship Killer” category back to life.
Read more: Realme Neo8
First Phones to Use Snapdragon 8 Gen 5
The race has already begun.
- iQOO 15R: Officially confirmed to launch in India on February 24, 2026. This will likely be the first phone in India with this chip.
- OnePlus 15R: Expected to follow closely, replacing the popular 13R/Ace series.
- POCO F8 Pro: Rumored to arrive later in Q2 2026.
Performance Expectations
Early benchmarks suggest the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 scores around 2.8 Million to 3 Million on AnTuTu.
- Daily Use: You will not feel any difference between this and the 8 Elite in apps like Instagram, WhatsApp, or YouTube.
- Gaming: It will handle heavy gaming effortlessly, likely with better heat management than the Elite because of the lower clock speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 better than Snapdragon 8 Gen 3?
Yes, absolutely. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 is significantly faster and more efficient than the older 8 Gen 3. It uses newer Oryon cores and a 3nm process.
Q2: Which phone will launch first with this chip in India?
The iQOO 15R is confirmed to launch on February 24, 2026, making it likely the first device with this processor in India.
Q3: Is Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 better than Snapdragon 8 Elite?
No. The Snapdragon 8 Elite is still the most powerful chip. The 8 Gen 5 is a slightly toned-down version designed for more affordable phones.
Q4: Can this chip play BGMI at 120fps?
Yes, the Adreno 840 GPU is powerful enough to support 120fps gaming, provided the game developers unlock the setting for the specific phone.
Q5: Does it support 5G?
Yes, it comes with the Snapdragon X80 5G Modem-RF System, ensuring top-tier 5G speeds and connectivity.
