The next generation of high-end chips from Qualcomm is unlikely to arrive for another year, but early rumors are already starting to emerge, indicating a significant technological leap accompanied by rising costs.
Premium smartphones are already expensive—some might say prohibitively so. However, analysts suggest that prices could increase further due in part to the soaring costs of RAM memory, particularly the highly sought-after LPDDR5X used in the global AI race.
But that’s just one piece of the puzzle.
The well-known leaker Digital Chat Station is now discussing the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, the successor to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (which powers devices like the upcoming OnePlus 15 and Galaxy S26).
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6: From 3 Nm to 2 Nm, A Process Technology Revolution
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is built on a 3-nanometer process, but the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 is expected to move to an even more advanced 2-nanometer process.
In the semiconductor world, the smaller the number, the finer and more efficient the technology, allowing for more transistors to be integrated into the same surface, thus enhancing speed, energy efficiency, and thermal management.
In practical terms, a 2-nanometer chip should be faster, smarter, and less power-hungry than its predecessor—but it will also be significantly more expensive to produce.
LPDDR6 and UFS 5.0: New Foundations for High-End Devices
According to the same source, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 will support two new standards: LPDDR6 and UFS 5.0.
LPDDR6 (Low Power Double Data Rate 6)
Unveiled in the summer of 2025, this memory promises increased speed, better energy efficiency, and enhanced security. With its dual-channel structure, it manages bandwidth more intelligently and adapts its power consumption based on workload.
It also introduces error-correcting tools for greater reliability and better data longevity.
UFS 5.0 (Universal Flash Storage)
The UFS 5.0 storage technology nearly doubles transfer speeds, achieving 10.8 GB/s compared to 5.8 GB/s with UFS 4.0. It is also more energy-efficient and designed to cater to the needs of AI-based applications, allowing for smoother and more responsive data access. Its backward compatibility will facilitate adoption in future smartphones.
A Race for Power… But at What Cost?
While the technical advancements are impressive, the question remains: how far should we go? Current flagships are already incredibly fast, and the differences in performance are becoming difficult to notice in daily use. Moreover, as each innovation leads to an increase in final price—alongside the ads and services enforced by some manufacturers—it becomes challenging to justify a price tag exceeding €1,500.
In summary, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 promises to be a powerhouse of performance and efficiency, but its arrival may herald a new era of even more expensive smartphones.
