Exclusive: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 leaked right after Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 launch

The pace of innovation in mobile technology is relentless—flagship chipsets seem to debut almost as quickly as they’re announced. Qualcomm’s latest processor was only recently unveiled, and yet, details of their next leading chip have already surfaced. According to information uncovered in HyperOS code, the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 is set to be Qualcomm’s next major release. This leak not only signals a new round of competition among mobile processor manufacturers but also offers important insights into Xiaomi’s upcoming flagship strategy.

XiaomiTime have verified the existence of this next-generation processor, listed as SM8950 in HyperOS code and leaked screenshots. Reviewing Qualcomm’s chipset progression confirms a clear, consecutive sequence:

SM8950 – Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6
SM8850 – Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
SM8750 – Snapdragon 8 Elite (Gen 4)
SM8650 – Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
SM8550 – Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
SM8475 – Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
SM8450 – Snapdragon 8 Gen 1

This hierarchy underscores that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 (SM8950) will represent a significant evolution in mobile processor architecture. Current industry expectations are that this chipset will debut in the Xiaomi 18 series, with Xiaomi aiming to be the first to bring this technology to the global market.

Connectivity: Next-Generation Modems

The HyperOS code also provides early details about upcoming modem technology. Specifically, references to the Snapdragon X90 and Snapdragon X95 modems have been detected. The alignment of these modems with their respective processors is as follows:

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 (SM8950) will utilize the Snapdragon X90 modem for advanced connectivity features.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 7 is projected to launch with the Snapdragon X95 modem.

This progression demonstrates that each new generation of Elite chipsets will deliver notable improvements in connectivity, further advancing mobile communication capabilities.

Current Leadership: The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

While there is significant anticipation for the SM8950, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (SM8850) still represents the current pinnacle of mobile performance, powering devices such as the Xiaomi 17 series. Built on TSMC’s advanced N3P 3nm process, it features a new 2+6 core architecture. This design delivers a 20% increase in CPU performance, a 35% improvement in energy efficiency, and a 16% reduction in overall power consumption. The Snapdragon X85 modem provides leading connectivity. In addition, the updated Adreno GPU boosts performance by 23% and supports next-generation features in Unreal Engine 5. Wi-Fi 7 support ensures users benefit from the latest wireless standards.

Looking Ahead

The strong performance of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 has set high expectations for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 (SM8950) and its Snapdragon X90 modem. The early discovery of these components in HyperOS code highlights Xiaomi’s intent to remain at the forefront of the technology race with its Xiaomi 18 series. The clear assignment of new-generation processors and modems signals a continued, rapid evolution in mobile chipsets, promising users unprecedented speed and efficiency in future flagship devices.