This is what sets them apart as elite.
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chipsets have consistently played a vital role in Android smartphones, powering a range from affordable devices to high-end flagships. Recently, however, a new tier known as the “Elite” class has surfaced. This elite label goes beyond mere marketing; it signifies a remarkable enhancement in performance and efficiency, thanks to Qualcomm’s proprietary Oryon CPU cores. As Qualcomm gears up to introduce a new midrange chip, industry observers are keenly watching to see if it will bear the distinguished “Elite” designation — and if it truly deserves to.
Traditionally, Qualcomm depended on Arm’s pre-designed CPU cores for its Snapdragon chips. However, in 2024, the company made a daring move by launching its own custom Oryon cores. These cores first appeared in the Snapdragon X series designed for laptops and desktops, eventually transitioning to mobile devices with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Elite chipset.
The outcomes have been revolutionary. Devices equipped with Snapdragon X and Snapdragon 8 Elite chips have shown exceptional performance improvements from the previous year, enhanced battery efficiency, and responsiveness that competed with — and, in certain instances, exceeded — Apple’s M-series silicon. The key to this success? Oryon cores, developed internally by Qualcomm to maximize performance across a broad spectrum of tasks.
Oryon cores are the distinguishing factor that sets Qualcomm’s premium chips apart from its broader portfolio. Unlike generic Arm Cortex cores, which many other chipmakers utilize, Oryon cores are specifically crafted to align with Qualcomm’s architecture. This customization enables superior control over performance adjustments, power efficiency, and seamless integration with other components such as GPUs and AI processors.
Essentially, Oryon cores are the backbone of what makes Snapdragon chips “Elite.” They epitomize Qualcomm’s engineering prowess — which is precisely why the Elite branding has thus far been reserved solely for chips housing these cores.
Currently, Qualcomm is rumored to be preparing to launch a new midrange chip, provisionally named the Snapdragon 8s. Speculation indicates that this chip will not incorporate Oryon cores, opting instead for standard Arm Cortex-X4 and Cortex-A720 cores. This situation raises an important question: should Qualcomm assign the “Elite” designation to a chip lacking its most sophisticated technology?
Some leaks have alluded to the upcoming chip as the Snapdragon 8s Elite, while others refer to it as the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4. The former suggests a high-end product comparable to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Elite, while the latter hints at a more subtle progression in the Snapdragon 8s lineup.
In the consumer tech landscape, branding transcends mere nomenclature — it embodies a commitment. When consumers encounter “Elite” on a Snapdragon chip, they anticipate elite performance, state-of-the-art features, and the presence of Qualcomm’s custom Oryon cores. Blurring this brand by applying it to a midrange chip with conventional cores might lead to consumer confusion and dilute the Elite name’s significance.
Qualcomm appears to recognize this reality. At MWC Barcelona 2025, the company unveiled a new naming convention aimed at clarifying its product lines. Snapdragon will continue to signify consumer-centric products, while Dragonwing will cater to enterprise offerings. Upholding consistency in naming — especially for top-tier products — is pivotal in maintaining brand integrity.
According to current leaks, the Snapdragon 8s chip is anticipated to feature a 3.21GHz Cortex-X4 Prime Core, three 3.01GHz Cortex-A720 cores, two 2.80GHz Cortex-A720 cores, and two 2.02GHz Cortex-A720 efficiency cores. This setup, though formidable, does not include the custom Oryon cores that characterize the Elite class.
Given this context, a more fitting designation for the chip would be Snapdragon 8s Gen 4. This would clearly define it as a next-generation midrange chip without misleading consumers into believing it delivers the same performance level as the Elite series.
Qualcomm has the chance to establish a clear precedent: Elite branding is reserved for chips equipped with Oryon cores. This differentiation not only aids consumers in making informed choices but also strengthens the integrity of the Elite designation.
