Snapdragon 8 Gen 4: Unveiling the 3nm Process and Over 40% Performance Boost

According to details shared by a reliable leaker on GSMArena, Qualcomm is set to fully depend on TSMC for the production of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor, utilizing the cutting-edge 3nm technology in 2024.

TSMC is confirmed as the primary manufacturer for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip. Source: GSMArena.

In this move, Qualcomm has decided to collaborate once again with TSMC due to their plans to continue using custom Oryon CPU cores and not compromise on power and performance with new core architectures. Essentially, Qualcomm lacks confidence in the performance or profitability from Samsung as a manufacturing partner.

Qualcomm has opted for TSMC over Samsung to produce the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor. Source: Gizchina.

However, a dual-chip supply strategy might come into play by 2025 with the launch of Snapdragon 8 Gen 5. Meanwhile, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 for the Galaxy series will be manufactured at Samsung's 3GAP plant, as reported by sources from Taiwan. Qualcomm's decision seems quite reasonable, especially when comparing the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. The previous version produced by Samsung faced temperature issues, whereas the Plus variant produced at TSMC's plant did not encounter this problem.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is believed to deliver impressive performance with very low power consumption. Source: GSMArena.

Returning to Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, sources suggest that the chip will bring impressive performance to the Android world without consuming excessive energy. This processor could surpass the 10,000 multi-core score on Geekbench 6, while the Adreno 830 GPU consumes the same amount of power as Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 but provides a significant performance boost. The entire chip is rumored to consume only 8 W of power.

In-depth article: Revealing the primary manufacturer of Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, promising numerous improvements.

Will Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 feature self-developed Oryon CPU cores, breaking away from ARM cores? (update: 4/11)

At the conference in October 2023, Qualcomm unveiled a plethora of crucial information, including AI and the Snapdragon X Elite computing chip. Additionally, Qualcomm declared that the Oryon cores developed by the company would debut on mobile chips alongside Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 in 2024.

Qualcomm shared key details about Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 at the October 2023 conference. Source:

Currently, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip still utilizes ARM CPU cores, but the Snapdragon X Elite computing chip model has been equipped with Oryon cores. Earlier reports indicated that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip boasts 40% higher performance than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

The Snapdragon X Elite computing chip is now equipped with Oryon cores. Source: Qualcomm.

According to

TheTechOutlook, leaker Digital Chat Station suggests that both Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 and Dimensity 9400 chips are built on TSMC's 3nm process. Notably, Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 features a self-developed architecture along with entirely new Oryon CPU cores.

Another leaker named Revengus additionally shared that previously, Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 had both Oryon and ARM versions. However, the ARM version will no longer be available as Qualcomm's plans have changed.

Leaker Revengus reveals that Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 and Dimensity 9400 are both built on TSMC's 3nm process. Source: TheTechOutLook.

This will mark the first time since 2016 that Qualcomm integrates custom CPU cores into its chipset. Based on previous generations, we can anticipate that the Xiaomi 15 or Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra will be the first smartphones equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip.

Detailed article: Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 to feature self-developed CPU cores, breaking away from ARM.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will be produced with highly anticipated new architecture (update: 02/08)

In the mobile processor manufacturing industry, ARM architecture has long been the leader. However, this dominance will not last long as Qualcomm acquired Nuvia - a company designing architecture for processors, founded by former engineers who worked on Apple A-series chips in 2019.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is set to be manufactured with highly anticipated new architecture (Image: Sparrowsnews)

In 2021, Qualcomm made a significant move by acquiring Nuvia to leverage expertise and design skills in creating powerful and energy-efficient processors. According to leaked information from Sparrowsnews, the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip will be a testament to this collaboration. As of now, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip (expected to be launched in October 2023) will still adhere to ARM architecture with the ARM Cortex-X4 as the main core. In contrast, Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will feature a new octa-core CPU architecture, including two Nuvia Phoenix L cores and six Nuvia Phoenix M cores.

Article revealing the new architecture on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor. Source: Sparrowsnews.

To enhance performance, Qualcomm plans to manufacture Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 based on TSMC's 3nm process. Their rival, Apple, has also achieved significant progress with the A17 Bionic processor on the iPhone 15 Pro. Initially produced on TSMC's N3B process, it later transitioned to N3E.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will feature a new octa-core CPU architecture, including two Nuvia Phoenix L cores and six Nuvia Phoenix M cores. Source: Sparrowsnews.

While the shift to self-developed architecture demonstrates Qualcomm's commitment to innovation, it may also spark debates on performance, power consumption, and compatibility. Nevertheless, this change paves the way for more powerful chips in future smartphones.

Detailed article: Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 to be manufactured with highly anticipated new architecture.

Is Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 manufactured using the advanced 3nm process?

According to information from Gizmochina, Qualcomm and Samsung are expected to continue their collaboration to produce the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, likely to be featured in the Galaxy S25 Series. Another close source suggests that Qualcomm might split into two versions: the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 manufactured by TSMC and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 for Galaxy produced on Samsung Foundry's 3nm GAP (3GAP) process.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is slated to be manufactured by Samsung based on the 3nm GAP (3GAP) process. Source: GizChina.it.

Personally, I find the leaked information intriguing, as there's a high possibility of continuing to see Samsung's optimized Snapdragon processors on future flagship devices (a strategy that Samsung has been successful with in the Galaxy S23 series). However, it's still too early to discuss the Galaxy S25 Series, set to launch in approximately 2 years. Gizmochina also points out the possibility of Samsung introducing another Galaxy S25 version using the Exynos chip (there have been numerous rumors about the Exynos 2400 and Exynos 2500).

Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is expected to be featured in the Galaxy S25 Series. Source: Gizchina.com.

According to other leaked information, both Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 for Galaxy and the new Exynos are expected to be manufactured on Samsung Foundry's 3GAP process. Therefore, I believe the performance of this chip duo is likely to be nearly identical. Nevertheless, I still appreciate the Snapdragon version as most current applications on Android phones are well optimized for Qualcomm chips, providing users with the best user experience.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 to deliver double the performance of Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

Based on information from Notebookcheck, Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 (codenamed SM8750) is rumored to be Qualcomm's first mobile chip with new Nuvia cores in a 2+6 CPU configuration (2x Phoenix I paired with 6x Phoenix M). Thanks to the new technology, Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is estimated to achieve Geekbench scores of 2,070 single-core and 9,100 multi-core, representing over a 40% improvement compared to the previous generation, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Currently, the AnTuTu score of Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 has not been disclosed.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is expected to outperform Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in terms of performance. Source: Notebookcheck.

So, what exactly is the new Nuvia? As shared by HotHardWare, Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 with the new Nuvia cores will elevate the mobile device experience to new heights. This will not only benefit smartphones and tablets but could also reduce the popularity of Windows-on-ARM (WoA) devices. In other words, introducing Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 to Windows mobile devices may create similarities to the emergence of Apple Silicon M-series chips on Apple's Mac devices.

When will Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 be released?

Unfortunately, there is no precise information on the exact release date of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor at the moment. However, based on the launch timeline of previous generations, it is reasonable to predict that Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will be unveiled in the late months of 2024. It's highly likely that Xiaomi, Vivo, realme, and others will continue to be the first brands to adopt the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is expected to be unveiled in the late months of 2024. Source: Notebookcheck.

What are your thoughts on Snapdragon 8 Gen 4? Leave your comments below for me and everyone to know! Thank you for your interest and for following my article. Additionally, you can explore many high-end smartphones with attractive prices at Mytour. If you're interested, click the orange button below to learn more!

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