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Qualcomm is preparing to unveil the next generation of its flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, likely to be named the Snapdragon 8 Elite 3. Recent reports suggest that this advanced chipset may leverage a 2nm fabrication process, a move that promises enhanced performance and efficiency. This production technique is anticipated not only for the high-end Snapdragon 8 Elite 3 but potentially for a variant that is expected to be less powerful, thus broadening Qualcomm’s offerings in the smartphone chipset market. Concurrently, reports indicate that Apple is also working on its A20 chipset, which will utilize a similar 2nm technology in the coming year.
Qualcomm’s 2nm Chips in 2026
Details regarding Qualcomm’s upcoming chipsets have emerged from Digital Chat Station, following a discussion on the Chinese platform Weibo. It appears that Qualcomm plans to roll out two new system-on-chips (SoCs) in 2026—the SM8950 and the SM8945—both employing the 2nm process technology.
The SM8950 is rumored to be the successor to the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, positioning itself as a leading processor aimed at high-end smartphones. In contrast, the SM8945 might serve as a more accessible alternative to the Snapdragon 8 Elite 3, featuring optimizations such as underclocked GPU cores or a less capable GPU configuration. This approach could allow for a better balance between performance and cost, catering to a wider range of device specifications.
In a strategic move to manage production costs, Qualcomm is reportedly considering a dual-sourcing strategy, collaborating with both TSMC and Samsung Foundry for the manufacturing of its flagship chipsets for 2026. This strategy could provide greater flexibility and reliability in their supply chain.
Furthermore, according to a report from WCCFTech, Apple’s forthcoming 2nm chipset, the A20 Pro, is expected to debut in conjunction with the iPhone 18 models. As TSMC’s potential first customer for its cutting-edge N2 technology, Apple is poised to take advantage of a new nanosheet transistor architecture that delivers excellent performance while also optimizing power consumption.
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