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There is no retail chipset officially called Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. The processor widely reported under that name during development was announced by Qualcomm as the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform on October 21, 2024, at Snapdragon Summit 2024. The first phones arrived in late 2024, led by Xiaomi, while availability in other countries followed different schedules.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 release date at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Was Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 released? | Yes, in substance—but not under that final name. |
| Official name | Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform |
| Qualcomm announcement | October 21, 2024 |
| First phone timing | End of October 2024, with Xiaomi identified as the first phone maker |
| North American OnePlus 13 launch | January 7, 2025 |
Qualcomm’s launch announcement and Snapdragon Summit 2024 press materials establish October 21 as the platform’s official announcement date. That is the date to use when a search for “Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 release date” is asking when the chip itself launched.
Was Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 renamed?
“Snapdragon 8 Gen 4” was the common leak-era name. Qualcomm moved its top smartphone platform into the Elite branding before launch and introduced the second-generation custom Oryon CPU in a phone platform. The safe interpretation is that the Snapdragon 8 Elite is the official name of the chip previously widely reported as Snapdragon 8 Gen 4—not that Qualcomm marketed two separate chips under formal aliases.
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Do not confuse it with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the different Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, or later Snapdragon 8 Elite generations. “Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy” is Samsung’s device-specific branding for its Galaxy implementation.
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Chip announcement versus phone release
A chipset announcement is not the same thing as retail availability. Qualcomm said partner devices would launch in the following weeks and identified Xiaomi as the first phone maker. Its Snapdragon Summit coverage placed the Xiaomi 15 series launch at the end of October 2024.
- October 21, 2024: Qualcomm announces Snapdragon 8 Elite at Snapdragon Summit 2024 in Maui.
- End of October 2024: Xiaomi’s first Snapdragon 8 Elite phones launch in the initial market, as announced by Qualcomm.
- Late 2024 and early 2025: More manufacturers introduce phones, with dates varying by country.
- January 7, 2025: OnePlus announces the North American launch of the OnePlus 13.
A Chinese-market launch is not automatically a US launch. For any model, check the exact regional model number, retailer, carrier certification, warranty and software version.
Rank #2
- Ultra-high Performance Chipset: This cell phone is equipped with a powerful and efficient Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip, using 4nm technology and a full-core 3.2GHz CPU, supporting 24GB LPDDR5X memory + UFS 4.0 flash memory, and equipped with an AI engine, with comprehensive performance upgrades.
- Revolutionary 50MP Quad Camera System: This smartphone is equipped with All 50MP four camera system: Including a Main Camera, a Periscope, an Ultra-wide Camera, and a ultra-clear Front Camera; this cell phone support Ultra XDR 4K video, Auto Tone, Portrait Optimiser, Motion Capture Mode, Night Mode; Whether you're a photographer, vlogger, or social media enthusiast, with the pro-grade camera system and AI enhancements, this Nothing phone can ensure every shot is masterpiece-ready.
- One-Touch Control, AI-Powered Organization：ESSENTIAL KEY: A new button on the side of your device.Press once to capture your screen, long-press to record voice and ideas, and double-press to access Essential Space; ESSENTIAL SPACE: Everything in one place, organised the way you want it to be，AI mobile phones helps organise your captures, generating suggestions, and staying on top of what matters; Explore more AI features, Let AI enrich your life
- GLYPH INTERFACE: Where Light Speaks; The Glyph Matrix transforms your phone into an interactive playground—smart animations turn notifications, tools, and games into living light experiences; NFC: An animation comes to life when NFC is triggered; Glyph Button: Quick-tap to browse Glyph Toys, long-press to launch—from utilities to games; Smarter Alerts: Notifications now speak in light and sound, blending visuals with meaning; Beyond illumination; This is interaction, redefined.
- Larger and Brighter FHD Display: 6.67" FHD+ 1.5K AMOLED flex screen with 1.07B colors & 120Hz adaptive refresh for ultra-smooth visuals; Vs Nothing Phone (2)/(3a): Phone (3) boasts 181.2% brighter (4500 nits), 16.7% sharper (460 PPI), and 316% faster touch response (1000Hz); IP68-rated—tough enough for any adventure.
Which phones use the Snapdragon 8 Elite?
Qualcomm’s device finder lists phones using the original platform. Examples include:
- Samsung Galaxy S25 family: Galaxy S25, S25+, S25 Ultra and related models use “Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy” in markets where that configuration is sold.
- OnePlus 13: The US specifications page confirms Snapdragon 8 Elite, an Oryon configuration up to 4.32GHz, a 6,000mAh battery and 256GB or 512GB storage options.
- ASUS ROG Phone 9 series: ROG Phone 9 and 9 Pro target gaming buyers and list the Snapdragon 8 Elite, with ASUS specifying a 4.3GHz octa-core configuration.
- Xiaomi 15 family: Xiaomi 15-series models use the platform in relevant markets, with the Xiaomi 15 series serving as Qualcomm’s first announced phone partner.
Other Honor, iQOO, REDMAGIC, vivo, OPPO and gaming models may appear in Qualcomm’s directory. The list is not a guarantee of US sale. Imported phones can differ in 5G and LTE bands, eSIM support, Google services, NFC payments, warranty coverage and carrier compatibility.
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- Stunning 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with adaptive 1–120 Hz refresh rate, ultra‑bright up to ~2600 nits, HDR support, “Vision Booster,” and adaptive color tone — giving vivid colours, great outdoor visibility, and super‑smooth scrolling.
- Powerful internals: it runs on the new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3 nm) chip, with 12 GB (or in some markets up to 16 GB) RAM and up to 1 TB UFS 4.0 storage — offering significantly improved CPU/GPU/NPU performance, especially for AI tasks, gaming, and heavy multitasking.
- Advanced quad‑camera system: 200 MP wide main sensor, plus a 50 MP ultrawide, a 50 MP periscope telephoto (5× optical zoom), and a 10 MP telephoto (3× optical zoom) — giving flexibility from ultra‑wide through detailed telephoto shots, and strong performance in varied lighting.
- 5,000 mAh battery with 45 W fast wired charging, wireless charging (Qi2) and reverse wireless charging — balancing long battery life with flexible charging options.
- Durable, premium build: Titanium‑frame body, protected by Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass, with IP68 dust/water resistance, ultrasonic in‑display fingerprint sensor, modern connectivity (5G, Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth, UWB, USB‑C), and long‑term software support (Android 15 / One UI 7, promised 7 major OS/security updates).
What is inside Snapdragon 8 Elite?
Qualcomm identifies the platform as SM8750. Its major blocks include a custom second-generation Qualcomm Oryon CPU, Adreno GPU, Hexagon NPU, X80 5G Modem-RF and FastConnect connectivity. The product page lists a version with a maximum CPU frequency of 4.32GHz, although manufacturers can tune clocks, power limits and cooling.
Compared with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, Qualcomm claims:
- Up to 45% higher CPU performance
- Up to 44% greater CPU power efficiency
- Up to 40% better GPU performance
- Up to 40% improved GPU power efficiency
- Up to 45% faster AI performance
- Up to 45% better AI power efficiency
Those percentages are Qualcomm’s own results under specified test conditions, not a promise that every phone will deliver identical gains. Sustained gaming performance depends on the phone’s vapor chamber, temperature limits, battery, firmware, display resolution and software. Camera hardware and processing, update policy and modem behavior also vary by handset.
Rank #4
- Ultra-high Performance Chipset: This cell phone is equipped with a powerful and efficient Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip, using 4nm technology and a full-core 3.2GHz CPU, supporting 24GB LPDDR5X memory + UFS 4.0 flash memory, and equipped with an AI engine, with comprehensive performance upgrades.
- Revolutionary 50MP Quad Camera System: This smartphone is equipped with All 50MP four camera system: Including a Main Camera, a Periscope, an Ultra-wide Camera, and a ultra-clear Front Camera; this cell phone support Ultra XDR 4K video, Auto Tone, Portrait Optimiser, Motion Capture Mode, Night Mode; Whether you're a photographer, vlogger, or social media enthusiast, with the pro-grade camera system and AI enhancements, this Nothing phone can ensure every shot is masterpiece-ready.
- One-Touch Control, AI-Powered Organization：ESSENTIAL KEY: A new button on the side of your device.Press once to capture your screen, long-press to record voice and ideas, and double-press to access Essential Space; ESSENTIAL SPACE: Everything in one place, organised the way you want it to be，AI mobile phones helps organise your captures, generating suggestions, and staying on top of what matters; Explore more AI features, Let AI enrich your life
- GLYPH INTERFACE: Where Light Speaks; The Glyph Matrix transforms your phone into an interactive playground—smart animations turn notifications, tools, and games into living light experiences; NFC: An animation comes to life when NFC is triggered; Glyph Button: Quick-tap to browse Glyph Toys, long-press to launch—from utilities to games; Smarter Alerts: Notifications now speak in light and sound, blending visuals with meaning; Beyond illumination; This is interaction, redefined.
- Larger and Brighter FHD Display: 6.67" FHD+ 1.5K AMOLED flex screen with 1.07B colors & 120Hz adaptive refresh for ultra-smooth visuals; Vs Nothing Phone (2)/(3a): Phone (3) boasts 181.2% brighter (4500 nits), 16.7% sharper (460 PPI), and 316% faster touch response (1000Hz); IP68-rated—tough enough for any adventure.
Should you buy a Snapdragon 8 Elite phone in 2026?
As of 2026, the original Snapdragon 8 Elite is an older flagship platform rather than Qualcomm’s newest generation. It can still be a strong buy when a phone is substantially discounted and has good long-term software support, battery life, cameras and thermal management. A newer chip is not automatically better value if the phone costs more or has weaker hardware.
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- Confirm the exact model and market. Imported Xiaomi, ASUS, OPPO, vivo, Honor or iQOO phones may not support your carrier’s bands or services.
- Check update commitments. A flagship processor cannot extend a manufacturer’s promised Android and security-support period.
- Evaluate the whole phone. Compare camera quality, battery capacity, charging, display, repairability and sustained performance—not just the chipset name.
- Compare the current price with newer generations. A discounted OnePlus 13, Galaxy S25 or ROG Phone 9 may make sense; an old model at near-launch pricing usually does not.
Useful official references
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite specifications
- Qualcomm device finder
- OnePlus 13 specifications
- Samsung Galaxy S25 family
- ASUS ROG Phone 9 specifications
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 the same as Snapdragon 8 Elite?
For the release-date question, yes: Snapdragon 8 Elite is the official name of the processor widely reported as Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 before launch.
Best Value
- Stunning 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with adaptive 1–120 Hz refresh rate, ultra‑bright up to ~2600 nits, HDR support, “Vision Booster,” and adaptive color tone — giving vivid colours, great outdoor visibility, and super‑smooth scrolling.
- Powerful internals: it runs on the new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3 nm) chip, with 12 GB (or in some markets up to 16 GB) RAM and up to 1 TB UFS 4.0 storage — offering significantly improved CPU/GPU/NPU performance, especially for AI tasks, gaming, and heavy multitasking.
- Advanced quad‑camera system: 200 MP wide main sensor, plus a 50 MP ultrawide, a 50 MP periscope telephoto (5× optical zoom), and a 10 MP telephoto (3× optical zoom) — giving flexibility from ultra‑wide through detailed telephoto shots, and strong performance in varied lighting.
- 5,000 mAh battery with 45 W fast wired charging, wireless charging (Qi2) and reverse wireless charging — balancing long battery life with flexible charging options.
What was the first Snapdragon 8 Elite phone?
Qualcomm identified Xiaomi as the first phone maker and said the Xiaomi 15 series would launch at the end of October 2024. Exact availability depended on the market.
Is Snapdragon 8 Elite the same as Snapdragon 8s Gen 4?
No. Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is a separate, lower-positioned platform; it is not a renamed Snapdragon 8 Elite.
Which Snapdragon 8 Elite phones are sold in the United States?
Examples include the OnePlus 13 and Samsung Galaxy S25 family. Availability and configurations can change, so verify the exact model, carrier bands and warranty before buying.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
