Discover the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 launch date, chipset features, Antutu & Geekbench scores, and how it compares to Dimensity 9500. A complete 2nd-gen flagship overview.
Qualcomm is gearing up to launch its most powerful mobile chipset yet — the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2. Building on the success of its predecessor, this 2nd gen processor aims to redefine smartphone performance across gaming, AI, camera, and efficiency.
Here’s everything you need to know about its launch date, phones it’ll power, benchmark scores, and how it stacks up against rivals like the Dimensity 9500.
#TechToday | Qualcomm to use Samsung's foundry for 2nm Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chips in Galaxy S26 series https://t.co/TO6byoqJOU
— Business Today (@business_today) June 27, 2025Featured
Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 Launch Date
While Qualcomm hasn’t made an official announcement yet, industry leaks suggest the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 launch will take place in Q4 2025, likely at Qualcomm’s annual Snapdragon Summit. Expect commercial availability in flagship phones by late 2025 or early 2026.
Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 Chipset: Specs & Architecture
The Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chipset is rumored to be based on a customized ARM Cortex-X5 architecture, manufactured on TSMC’s 3nm node. Key features expected include:
- Octa-core CPU with ultra-high performance cores
- Next-gen Adreno GPU for console-grade gaming
- Enhanced NPU for on-device AI processing
- LPDDR6 RAM support
- Wi-Fi 7 and 5G Advanced support
These improvements aim to deliver a significant leap in speed, efficiency, and battery management.
Antutu & Geekbench Scores
Early benchmark leaks for the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 Antutu score suggest a score exceeding 2.3 million, making it one of the fastest chips ever tested.
In Geekbench, the Elite 2 reportedly clocks in at:
- Single-Core: 2300+
- Multi-Core: 7400+
These scores put it well ahead of the current Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and close to Apple’s A-series chips in raw performance.
Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 Phones List (Expected)
Here are some flagship phones expected to feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2:
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- OnePlus 14 Pro
- Xiaomi 15 Ultra
- Asus ROG Phone 9
- Motorola Edge 50 Ultra
These devices are set to launch from late 2025 to mid-2026, offering premium hardware paired with the power of Qualcomm’s 2nd-gen Elite platform.
Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 vs Dimensity 9500
The battle between Qualcomm and MediaTek continues. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Feature | Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 | Dimensity 9500 |
|---|---|---|
| Process Node | 3nm (TSMC) | 3nm (TSMC) |
| CPU | Cortex-X5 + Cortex-A7xx | Cortex-X4 + Cortex-A7xx |
| GPU | Next-gen Adreno | Mali Immortalis |
| AI Engine | Qualcomm Hexagon NPU | MediaTek AI Processing Unit |
| Antutu Score | 2.3M+ | 2.1M (est.) |
The Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 outperforms Dimensity 9500 in GPU and AI capabilities, making it a better choice for high-end gaming and camera applications.
Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 2nd Gen: What’s New?
Being the 2nd generation of the Elite series, Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 brings evolutionary upgrades:
- 20% higher CPU performance
- 25% faster GPU rendering
- 35% improved AI operations per watt
- Smarter camera processing with triple 18-bit ISP
- Adaptive cooling for sustained gaming performance
This places it well ahead in terms of AI innovation, thermal efficiency, and future-readiness.
Conclusion
The Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 is shaping up to be Qualcomm’s most advanced mobile processor to date. With a 3nm build, staggering benchmark scores, and future-ready features, it’s poised to lead the next wave of Android flagships.
If you’re planning to buy a new premium smartphone in 2025–2026, make sure it’s powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 — the chipset that defines the future.