Qualcomm unveils Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 with advanced AI & video

Qualcomm has announced the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, its latest system-on-a-chip for mobile devices, detailing advancements in CPU performance, AI processing, and video capabilities.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 features the third generation of the Qualcomm Oryon CPU, positioned by the company as "the fastest mobile CPU ever." According to Qualcomm, the chip is tailored for both advanced and everyday applications, offering users a suite of enhancements in multitasking, gaming, and on-device artificial intelligence (AI).

CPU and GPU performance

The company claims the new CPU delivers a 20 percent improvement in performance compared to its predecessor. This is complemented by updated graphics processing unit (GPU) technology under the Qualcomm Adreno brand, which the company says enhances gaming experiences with a 23 percent uplift in graphical performance. In terms of AI capability, the Qualcomm Hexagon Neural Processing Unit (NPU) now reportedly offers a 37 percent increase in speed over the previous model.

Chris Patrick, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Mobile Handset at Qualcomm Technologies, commented on the role of AI in the new Snapdragon platform:

"With Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, you are at the center of your mobile experience. It enables personalized AI agents to see what you see, hear what you hear and think with you in real time. Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 pushes the boundaries of personal AI, allowing you to experience the future of mobile technology today."

AI and user experience

Qualcomm describes the 8 Elite Gen 5 series as engineered for the "agentic AI era." The on-device AI system is designed to facilitate personalised digital assistants that adapt to user needs. The company highlights that these AI models employ real-time sensing and continuous learning, enabling proactive recommendations and situation-based responses. Qualcomm notes that user data for these features remains on the device.

The platform's AI capabilities are intended to work across multiple applications, offering the ability for digital assistants to act contextually depending on user behaviour and preferences.

Video and creative tools

For video production, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 introduces support for Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec, which Qualcomm states is the first implementation of its kind on a mobile platform. This is further supported by AI-driven camera features, which, according to the company, are intended to give content creators more control in both recording and post-production refinement.

Qualcomm says that these tools aim to provide studio-grade video capture on mobile devices, broadening the potential for professional video production away from traditional camera hardware.

Device availability

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 will appear in new flagship devices from several global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and smartphone brands. Among the companies who will feature the new processor are Honor, iQOO, Nubia, OnePlus, OPPO, POCO, realme, Redmi, RedMagic, ROG, Samsung, Sony, vivo, Xiaomi and ZTE. Qualcomm indicates that new phone launches with the chip are expected imminently.

Key features and specifications

According to the company, the main features of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 include:

• Faster multitasking and seamless transitions between applications
• Longer battery life during performance-heavy tasks such as gaming
• Real-time AI systems for personalised assistant features
• Support for professional-level video recording and editing

The new chip is positioned as a premium option within Qualcomm's mobile platform range, with the intention to enable more advanced and power-efficient experiences for users of upcoming high-end devices.