Qualcomm is gearing up for a major announcement in late September 2025, with the spotlight expected to shine on the highly anticipated Snapdragon 8 Elite 2. But behind the scenes, another powerful processor is generating serious buzz: the Snapdragon SM8845 chipset. While it may not carry the Elite badge, it’s shaping up to be the go-to silicon for 2025’s flagship killer smartphones.
The Snapdragon SM8845 chipset isn’t the Snapdragon 8s Gen 5, and it’s not quite as premium as the upcoming Elite 2 either. It fits neatly in between the two, promising high-end performance with a slightly more accessible price tag. Although Qualcomm hasn’t officially named it yet, industry insiders are speculating that it could debut as the Snapdragon 8 Plus—a name that hints at its position just below the top-tier offering.
What sets the SM8845 apart is its impressive all-big-core CPU design, featuring Qualcomm’s custom cores. Performance benchmarks are expected to rival the original Snapdragon 8 Elite from last year. However, the SM8845 will benefit from a newer fabrication process, resulting in better efficiency and improved thermal handling. Additionally, it’s said to incorporate some of the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2’s peripherals, further enhancing its capabilities.
According to Digital Chat Station, a reliable leaker from China, this new chipset will debut in phones from Oppo, OnePlus, and Vivo. These devices are rumored to come equipped with massive batteries, possibly up to 8,000 mAh, targeting power users and gamers who demand endurance alongside performance.
This move signals a clear trend: the Snapdragon SM8845 chipset is being positioned as the engine behind next-generation flagship killers—phones that offer near-premium specs without the ultra-premium price. This will likely appeal to users who want top-notch performance, but don’t necessarily need every bleeding-edge feature from the most expensive phones.
Interestingly, the SM8845 is so similar to the original Snapdragon 8 Elite that some are wondering whether Qualcomm will phase out that older chip. With only slight upgrades—better power efficiency and newer peripherals—the SM8845 walks a fine line between evolution and replacement.
In a competitive chipset landscape, this new release could give Qualcomm a strong foothold in the upper-midrange and value flagship segments, especially with major brands like Oppo and OnePlus backing it. As launch day approaches, all eyes are on how Qualcomm will officially brand and position this chipset.
With the Snapdragon SM8845 chipset likely hitting the market alongside the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, it seems 2025 will be a big year for performance enthusiasts and smartphone shoppers seeking power without breaking the bank.
