Flagship killer phones 2026 may favour cheaper Qualcomm processor over Snapdragon 8 Elite 2
Qualcomm continues to diversify its portfolio. Much like the Snapdragon X Elite and its many variants (including the Snapdragon X Plus and Snapdragon X) designed for laptops, the high-end Snapdragon 8 series is likely to get more lower-cost options within the mobile platform segment. In two recent Weibo posts, Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station added weight to this speculation by sharing specific details about an SM8850 offshoot codenamed SM8845.
SM8850 is the model number assigned to the successor of the Snapdragon 8 Elite, possibly branded as the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 or Elite Gen 2, with an announcement expected in mid-September. Meanwhile, the final name of SM8845 remains unknown. A moniker like “Snapdragon 8 Plus” could be fitting for this processor, given that it is rumoured to match the performance of the current Snapdragon 8 Elite thanks to having the same Oryon cores, whilst offering greater efficiency due to the newer TSMC N3P process and benefiting from several updated peripheral features introduced in the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2.
The many Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 alternatives
Digital Chat Station also emphasised that many Android OEMs opting for this Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 alternative from Qualcomm may also incorporate very large batteries with a capacity of roughly 8,000 mAh. This will likely apply primarily to the Chinese market, as European and American regulations are more restrictive in this regard. In another post, the leaker hinted at a specific upcoming flagship killer equipped with this new SM8845 Qualcomm chip. Although neither the brand nor the product name was explicitly mentioned, various commenters speculated that the leaker may be referring to a OnePlus phone, presumably the OnePlus Ace 6 Pro rather than the OnePlus 15.
This high-performance device is said to feature a large battery, the previously discussed “Snapdragon 8 Plus”, a flat 1.5K display, an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, and a metal frame. Other companies like Honor, Vivo and Oppo could also adopt this Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 offshoot in 2026. Another potential option for Android OEMs might be the rumoured SM8850s, a version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 manufactured using Samsung's 2 nm process, which is expected to be more affordable than its TSMC-made counterpart.
Mounting pressure on Qualcomm competitors
Qualcomm’s rivals, such as MediaTek, are similarly preparing the launch of their own high-end mobile chips, including the Dimensity 9500. However, the numerous Qualcomm alternatives to the Snapdragon 8 Elite may make it more difficult for these companies to secure buyers for their premium offerings. Last but not least, Samsung will probably keep pushing the Exynos 2600 as an alternative in its next-gen camera flagships, not just the Galaxy S26 series but potentially also the follow-up to the Galaxy Z Flip 7 (available here on Amazon).
Source(s)
Digital Chat Station Weibo (2)
Image: Acer100xd
