C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
TL;DR Qualcomm is reportedly developing two 2nm chips, the SM8975 (Pro) and the SM8950 (Standard).
The SM8975 is expected to exclusively support LPDDR6 RAM and feature a full GPU/cache, but at a significantly higher cost.
The extreme cost of new silicon and RAM may lead to even higher prices for “Ultra” flagship smartphones, and Android brands might have to stick to the standard chip to keep prices in check for their non-Ultra flagships.
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 series remains the SoC lineup of choice for several top-tier Android flagships. Last year, Qualcomm branched out the 8 series into the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, both based on TSMC’s 3nm process. It seems Qualcomm could further spice up its lineup with a “Pro” variation, and Android brands might consequently face difficult decisions for their Ultra flagships.
Don’t want to miss the best from Android Authority? Set us as a favorite source in Google Discover to never miss our latest exclusive reports, expert analysis, and much more.
to never miss our latest exclusive reports, expert analysis, and much more. You can also set us as a preferred source in Google Search by clicking the button below.
Leaker Digital Chat Station has shared some more specifications for Qualcomm’s next-generation flagship chips.
According to the leaker, Qualcomm’s next-generation flagship lineup will have two chips: the SM8975 and the SM8950. Both SoCs are said to be using TSMC’s 2nm process.
The leaker says that the SM8975 is the only SoC in the pair that supports LPDDR6, a “full-fledged GPU,” and a full cache. However, these specifications come at a cost, as the SM8975 is also said to be “extremely expensive.” The leaker mentions they’ve encountered “mid-range” models (likely referring to Android flagships in their “Pro” avatar rather than their “Ultra” variant), which opt for the SM8950 instead, and there’s a slight chance these may even switch to the SM8850 (current-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5).
... continue reading