Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 may get a more affordable version

Qualcomm is reportedly preparing another version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor for more affordable smartphones. According to insider Digital Chat Station, the chip, identified as SM8850-1-AB, could reduce device costs while keeping performance close to today's flagship level. The new version is not expected to use cut-down CPU or GPU designs. The main differences may come down to chip binning and operating frequencies: samples that do not meet the requirements of the standard SM8850-AC model could be sold as the cheaper AB variant.

A test sample is said to score around 3,600 points in single-core and 11,300 points in multi-core Geekbench tests. The results may be slightly below the standard Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, but they would still be well ahead of Snapdragon 7-series mobile platforms.

The SM8850 family currently includes the standard AC version, a seven-core model for thin foldable phones and a faster AD variant. The latter is used in select flagship and gaming devices, while the new SM8850-1-AB is expected to target a more affordable price segment.

Possible devices mentioned with the processor include the POCO F9 Pro and POCO F9 Ultra, which previously appeared in certification databases with SM8850-family chips. The exact version chosen by the manufacturer remains unknown. Qualcomm has not officially confirmed the SM8850-1-AB, so its specifications and launch timing may still change.