Qualcomm’s latest mobile chipset has officially arrived and sets a new standard for smartphone performance in 2025. But which phones will be getting the Snapdragon 8 Elite?
With cutting-edge features such as enhanced generative AI, improved power efficiency, and unmatched gaming capabilities, the Snapdragon 8 Elite is poised to power some of the best Android phones of the coming year.
You probably want to know what those phones will be so based on the latest announcements rumours and analysis, we’ve added the most likely and already confirmed models so you can see which one you might want to save up for…
Xiaomi 15 series
The Xiaomi 15 series, including the Xiaomi 15, 15 Pro, and 15 Ultra, will be the first phones globally to feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset.
They are just days away with Xiaomi confirming the regular and Pro will be launched in China on 29 October.
Specs for the Xiaomi 15 (shown above) include a 6.63-inch ‘straight’ screen (translated), tiny 1.38mm bezel, aviation aluminum one-piece molding, Crater lens design and 50:50 ‘golden weight’.
The Xiaomi 15 Pro will be 213g and 8.35mm with a full-depth quad-curved screen covered in Xiaomi Dragon Crystal Glass 2.0. There’s also a “ceramic lens DECO design, and a quad-curved wrap-around middle frame” according to Xiaomi (translated).
We’ll have to wait to find out more but both phones are likely to offer 120Hz refresh rates. The Xiaomi 15 Pro is expected to include a 50Mp main camera, a 50M pultrawide, and a 64Mp periscope telephoto lens, with the Ultra boasting a 200MP periscope camera, though that hasn’t been mentioned in the Weibo posts.
The phones might also feature fast charging, up to 120W wired and 80W wireless, making them powerful competitors in the flagship space.
Read more about the Xiaomi 15 series
Asus ROG Phone 9 series
- Launch date: 19 November 2024
Asus (edited)
The ROG Phone 9 series (likely a regular and pro combo) is set to be a powerhouse for gamers, featuring the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset designed for high performance, efficiency, and enhanced graphics.
Asus has shown off the design (above) but no specs apart from the Elite for improved graphics performance. However, it’s rumoured to get up to 24GB of RAM and 1TB storage and will boast advanced gaming features like a new brighter display.
Despite being geared towards gaming, its incremental improvements over its predecessor, the ROG Phone 8, promise to remain one of the best gaming phones.
Read more about the Asus ROG Phone 9 series
- Launch date: 29 October 2024 (China)
Honor Magic 7
- Launch date: 30 October 2024
Honor
The Honor Magic 7 series continues the brand’s emphasis on cutting-edge technology and camera capabilities.
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, the Magic 7 Pro might feature AI-enhanced photography with advanced zoom functionality, a 6.82-inch OLED display, and up to 16GB of RAM.
With AI integration, enhanced durability with IP68 or IP69 water resistance, and MagicOS 9.0 based on Android 15, the Magic 7 is expected to shine as a high-end flagship.
Honor showed off the design (above) on stage at the Snapdragon Summit.
Read more about the Honor Magic 7 series
iQOO 13
- Launch date: 30 October 2024
Vivo
The iQOO 13 will be one of the first smartphones featuring the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset (via GSMArena), with a focus on top-tier performance and speed.
The device is expected to boast a large 6.82-inch OLED display, 120W fast charging, and a 6,150mAh battery, the largest in Vivo’s flagship lineup.
OnePlus 13
- Launch date: 31 October 2024 (China)
Oneplus
The OnePlus 13 is expected to mark a significant step forward, all thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Elite.
We already know it offers a refined design, but whether with improved water resistance (IP69), a new BOE ‘Oriental Screen’ display and potential battery life improvements with a 6,000 mAh battery remains to be seen.
Rumours also suggest upgrades to its camera system, including a 50Mp triple-lens setup.
Read more about the OnePlus 13
Oppo Find X8 Ultra
- Launch date: late October 2024 (China expected)
Weibo / Oppo
The Oppo Find X8 Ultra promises a premium experience with a sleek design and a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset.
It’s expected to feature a 6.8-inch LTPO display, advanced camera technology, including a 200Mp periscope lens, and fast-charging capabilities.
Rumours also suggest that the Ultra model will feature a ‘Quick Button’ for enhanced camera control.
Read more about the Oppo Find X8 series
Realme GT 7 Pro
- Launch date: 4 November 2024
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Realme’s GT 7 Pro will be the first phone to feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite in India (via Realme).
It’s expected to combine high performance with a periscope telephoto camera, allowing users to enjoy powerful processing and top-tier imaging capabilities without compromise.
The phone is likely to feature a 6.5-inch 1.5K display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Realme also teased the device to be IP69-rated for water resistance
Samsung Galaxy S25 Series
- Launch date: Expected January or February 2025
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 lineup, including the Galaxy S25, S25 Pro, and S25 Ultra, will likely be powered globally by the Snapdragon 8 Elite.
The S25 Ultra is expected to feature improved camera technology with a 200Mp main sensor, 50Mp ultrawide, and telephoto lenses.
A larger 6.86-inch display with ultra-slim bezels and a focus on ergonomics should also further enhance its appeal.
Read more about the Samsung Galaxy S25 series
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
These are the expected devices so far that will showcase the Snapdragon 8 Elite, representing a range of flagship offerings with cutting-edge features in performance, AI, gaming, and photography.
More devices are also expected to join this list as 2025 unfolds – you can read about some of them in our roundup of the best upcoming phones.
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