Published on October 20th, 2023

As the current Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 powers some remarkable smartphones, our anticipation naturally turns to the future and what Qualcomm’s next generation has in store.

The year 2024 is on the horizon, and with it, the expectation of an innovative chipset that will propel flagship smartphones to new heights.

Dubbed tentatively as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, this upcoming processor promises to be a game-changer in the ever-evolving world of mobile technology.

In this article, we’ll delve into the prospects and expectations surrounding the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, exploring the potential advancements and capabilities that might shape the next era of cutting-edge mobile devices.

Is The Arrival Of The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Processor On The Horizon?

Qualcomm has no intentions of exiting the highly profitable mobile System-on-Chip (SoC) industry, which makes the anticipation of a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 all the more likely.

In fact, clues about this upcoming chip have already surfaced, revealing its model number as SM8650.

Historically, Qualcomm unveils its next-generation processor products at the Snapdragon Tech Summit, with specific event dates slightly shifting from year to year.

This time around, the Summit is slated for October 24-26. The first day of this event is expected to mark the official announcement of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

Furthermore, it’s an event where Qualcomm is also anticipated to introduce its eagerly awaited Oryon CPU for PC products.

This announcement is a significant moment for tech enthusiasts and industry insiders alike, as it paves the way for the next wave of cutting-edge mobile and PC technology.

Anticipated Features Of The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: What To Expect

While Qualcomm remains tight-lipped about the specifics of its forthcoming flagship processor, that hasn’t deterred the rumor mill from generating a collection of potential specifications.

In conjunction with industry developments, including new Arm CPUs and Bluetooth standards from SIG, we can begin to assemble a preliminary understanding of what this processor might entail.

Image Source: Alexandre Pellaes

64-Bit Only This Time

The latest rumors regarding the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 suggest that Qualcomm is poised to bid farewell to 32-bit support, aligning with the ongoing trend in the Android ecosystem.

Over the past few years, Android has been steadily transitioning to a 64-bit-only framework, with the Play Store exclusively offering 64-bit apps to compatible devices since August 2021.

Notably, even chip IP leader Arm had initially abandoned 32-bit support in its CPU roadmap, only to reintroduce it as an option for its smaller Cortex-A510 cores.

In response to the preferences of certain markets, particularly in China, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 adopted a unique CPU layout, featuring a combination of 64-bit-only and 32-bit-capable CPU cores in a 1+2+2+3 configuration.

This marked a departure from previous Snapdragon CPU setups.

However, with the transition to 64-bit-only, Qualcomm might streamline its CPU design, eliminating the need for this complex architecture.

The latest Arm Cortex CPUs

The emerging rumor aligns with the details we currently possess about the latest Arm CPUs, which are highly likely to be the driving force behind the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

Arm’s most recent Cortex-X4, A720, and A520 CPUs are exclusively 64-bit, making 32-bit support an improbable feature.

Given that Qualcomm’s custom Arm-based core design, known as Oryon, is anticipated to make its debut in laptops before transitioning to smartphones, Arm IP seems the most plausible choice for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

The rumors point towards a potentially unique 1+2+3+2 CPU configuration.

This setup would consist of one Cortex-X core (possibly the X4), two A-5XX class cores (likely the new A520), and five A7XX cores divided into two and three groups.

Rather than including 32-bit cores, which would be incompatible with the new ARMv9 CPUs, Qualcomm could opt for a setup using the Cortex-A720 middle cores across two different performance tiers.

This approach could involve two cores with larger caches and higher clock speeds, paired with three smaller configurations.

This design would enhance the SoC’s ability to smoothly scale up and down the performance and power spectrum.

Additionally, adopting only two power-efficient cores would be a notable choice, as increasingly energy-efficient mid-cores have diminished the necessity for a large number of little cores in modern chipsets.

AI Will Play A Big Part

AI has undeniably become 2023’s ubiquitous buzzword, and it’s likely to remain a central focus for some time.

While smartphones are already equipped with robust machine learning capabilities, the challenge of scaling advanced AI models to run directly on devices looms large.

In May 2023, Qualcomm unveiled a whitepaper emphasizing the future of hybrid AI—leveraging both cloud-based and on-device processing.

Although the whitepaper primarily sheds light on Qualcomm’s existing efforts with its AI Engine and developer ecosystem, it underscores the pivotal role AI plays in Qualcomm’s Snapdragon platforms.

Given the current technological landscape, AI is poised to take an even more prominent role in the years to come.

As for specific AI enhancements, we’ll need to await the upcoming summit for detailed insights. Nevertheless, it’s a safe assumption that there will be enhancements to support more efficient AI models.

We’ve already witnessed demonstrations of Stable Diffusion on a prototype device, albeit with certain limitations. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is already equipped to handle INT4, which is as compact as machine learning models get.

Additionally, achieving increased performance may necessitate closer integration between Qualcomm’s Spectra ISP, Hexagon DSP, and Adreno GPU components.

Connected To The Hilt

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is poised to deliver a comprehensive connectivity suite, promising the latest and most advanced features in this domain.

While Qualcomm’s existing chipset already offers early support for Wi-Fi 7, it’s likely that the finalized specification will be fully incorporated into the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

Moreover, a new Snapdragon X75 5G modem is expected, bringing benefits such as a smaller physical footprint, up to 20% power savings compared to the X70, and improved location accuracy through GNSS Location Gen 2, all set to be featured in Qualcomm’s upcoming flagship chip.

The inclusion of the latest Bluetooth 5.4 standard enhances the user experience with features like Periodic Advertising with Responses, which optimizes packet communication for better power efficiency in ultra-low-power scenarios.

The Encrypted Advertising Data standardizes advertisement traffic encryption, bolstering security for IoT systems.

Audio enthusiasts can also look forward to enjoying Qualcomm’s Dynamic Spatial Audio and Snapdragon Sound advantages, ensuring a top-notch auditory experience.

Our Expectations For The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is undoubtedly a formidable chip, there are particular enhancements that we’re hoping for as Qualcomm prepares for its imminent unveiling.

Even Better-Sustained Performance

Now that the Samsung 4nm issues are behind us, 2023 smartphones have largely been spared from performance throttling problems.

Nonetheless, occasional overheating handsets and brands toning down everyday performance to extend battery life have surfaced.

The ultimate goal is a chip that delivers peak performance without compromising due to concerns about high temperatures or excessive battery drain.

It’s hoped that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 can be that groundbreaking solution.

Concerns about sustained performance become more prominent, particularly in the context of prolonged gaming sessions.

Our internal gaming tests have shown that achieving a consistent 60fps over extended play periods still demands robust cooling solutions.

The higher GPU clock speed introduced with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for the Galaxy, for instance, doesn’t necessarily translate to a better gaming experience beyond the initial five minutes.

The pursuit of efficiency through new CPU cores and the utilization of smaller 3nm manufacturing processes opens up possibilities for more efficient chips.

The key lies in Qualcomm’s ability to strike a balance between delivering peak performance and maintaining long-term sustainability without overemphasizing unsustainable peak performance.

More Powerful Ray Tracing Capabilities

Ray tracing in mobile graphics remains a niche, with no Western games currently supporting it.

Nevertheless, we anticipate the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 to continue incorporating this functionality into its processor.

However, Qualcomm’s initial foray into mobile ray tracing fell short in benchmark tests, with the Adreno 740 trailing behind Arm’s Immortalis G715 architecture in the MediaTek Dimensity 9200.

Arm’s architecture is set to see further advancements with the new Immortalis G720 GPU.

In addition, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 lagged behind the Exynos 2200 and its AMD Xclipse graphics chip in Basemark’s InVitro test in 2022.

While not an immediate necessity, there’s a desire to witness ray tracing improvements in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s GPU, making the chip more future-proof for the eventual mainstream adoption of this demanding graphics technology.

Prices That Won’t Break The Bank

Although Qualcomm doesn’t disclose specific partner pricing, it’s well-known that cutting-edge processor technology is a significant component of a smartphone’s bill of materials and doesn’t come cheap.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is expected to be a high-end and premium offering, especially when considering the features discussed in this wishlist.

However, consumers hope to receive good value for their investment in the form of features that directly benefit them.

This becomes increasingly important given the existence of excellent value chipsets already available in the market.

Even within Qualcomm’s own lineup, the Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 2 holds up remarkably well against flagship processors from just a couple of years ago.

Furthermore, smartphones powered by the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 have generally garnered positive feedback.

With flagship smartphone prices already at a premium in today’s economic landscape, it’s crucial to avoid further price hikes wherever possible, making value-for-money features all the more appreciated by consumers.

There’s much to anticipate with the impending arrival of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, poised to be the powerhouse behind flagship smartphones set to debut in early 2024.

From improved sustained performance to potential ray tracing enhancements and, not to mention, the value proposition it represents for consumers, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 promises to be a pivotal player in the ever-evolving world of mobile technology.

With these expectations in mind, the next era of cutting-edge smartphones is poised to deliver an exciting and feature-rich experience for users.

Feature Image Source: Alexandre Debiève

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