According to leaks, Qualcomm may be preparing a dual-branding strategy for its upcoming flagship chips. The rumoured SM8845 chip could be named Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, marking a return to the “Gen” naming format, even as the company continues with its newer “Elite” branding.
Two Flagship Chips, Two Naming Paths
Based on a recent tipster claim, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 (SM8845) is expected to sit between the Snapdragon 8s Gen 5 and the ultra-premium Snapdragon 8 Elite 2. Meanwhile, the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 (SM8850) is likely Qualcomm’s top-tier chip for 2026, debuting at the Snapdragon Summit in Hawaii next month.
Qualcomm previously dropped the “Gen” format after the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, opting for the cleaner “Elite” moniker. But with Gen 5 making a comeback, consumers and OEMs may face overlapping product names and branding confusion.
What’s Next?
Industry watchers believe this move could help Qualcomm differentiate high-end vs ultra-premium chips, especially as competition heats up from MediaTek, Samsung, and Google. The Gen 5 chip is expected to deliver near-flagship performance, while the Elite 2 aims for top-tier dominance.
It’s still unclear whether the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 will be unveiled alongside the Elite 2 at the upcoming summit or introduced later. Either way, it will be an intriguing move should it be true. Until then, we can only wait and see next month.
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