Qualcomm Launches 5th-Gen Snapdragon 8 Elite
On February 25, Qualcomm Technologies officially introduced its most advanced mobile platform to date, the fifth-generation Snapdragon® 8 Elite for Galaxy, designed to power the global launch of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and selected regional variants of the Samsung Galaxy S26+ and Samsung Galaxy S26. Built with a customized third-generation Qualcomm Oryon™ CPU, Qualcomm® Adreno™ GPU, and Qualcomm Hexagon™ NPU, the platform delivers meaningful gains in processing performance, advanced imaging capabilities such as professional-grade video capture, and highly personalized on-device AI experiences.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy was co-engineered with Samsung Electronics and optimized specifically for Galaxy smartphones to support the latest Galaxy AI features. These capabilities enable faster contextual suggestions, seamless background task execution, and efficient AI workloads directly on the device, improving responsiveness while reducing reliance on cloud processing. This device-side AI approach enhances privacy, lowers latency, and improves overall efficiency for demanding mobile applications.
Connectivity is also significantly enhanced through Qualcomm Smart Transmit™ technology, which intelligently optimizes uplink power across 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and satellite connections. This ensures more reliable wireless performance while improving power efficiency, especially in challenging signal environments. In addition, the Galaxy S26 Ultra and S26+ integrate the Qualcomm FastConnect™ 7900 mobile connectivity system, which includes Ultra Wideband (UWB) support to enable faster device-to-device interaction and more precise spatial awareness for next-generation mobile experiences.
Chris Patrick, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Handsets at Qualcomm Technologies, noted that the collaboration with Samsung continues to push the boundaries of mobile innovation. He emphasized that the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy was purpose-built to deliver flagship-level performance, improved energy efficiency, and a new standard for intelligent smartphone interaction. O.H. Kwon, Senior Vice President and President of Qualcomm Asia-Pacific, highlighted that the long-standing partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing AI-powered mobile platforms and delivering seamless user experiences.
Inkang Song, Executive Vice President and Head of Technology Strategy for Samsung’s Mobile eXperience Business, stated that the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy provides the performance foundation for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, enabling a mature and powerful Galaxy ecosystem experience. He added that the continued collaboration between Qualcomm and Samsung ensures that cutting-edge technologies reach end users faster, strengthening everyday productivity, imaging performance, and intelligent mobile interaction.
