Rumors surrounding the performance of Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset have been circulating, hinting at its potential to outpace Apple’s M2. Recent leaks claim to reveal Geekbench 6 scores, showcasing remarkable single-core and multi-core performance that not only surpasses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 but also competes with Apple’s latest M3.
According to Geekbench 6 results shared by @negativeonehero on X, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 achieved an impressive single-core score of 2,845 and a multi-core score of 10,628. In comparison, the Gen 3 variant scored 7,249 in the multi-threaded test when running on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, showcasing a substantial 46% improvement in multi-core performance.
One of the speculated reasons for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4’s enhanced multi-core performance is the rumored absence of efficiency cores, similar to the Dimensity 9300. This deviation from the norm is believed to potentially come at the expense of increased power consumption. However, it seems that Qualcomm has managed to strike a delicate balance between performance and power efficiency with the chipset’s ‘Oryon’ custom cores, which have reportedly been in development for several years.
The leaked benchmarks suggest that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 competes with Apple’s M3, with rumors of a 4.00GHz clock speed potentially explaining its impressive performance. Qualcomm’s collaboration with smartphone manufacturers like Samsung is expected to further optimize the chipset’s performance, as the company deviates from ARM CPU and GPU designs.
Traditionally, Xiaomi has been quick to adopt Qualcomm’s flagship chips for its new series, and it is likely that the first Snapdragon 8 Gen 4-powered handset may be on the horizon. However, a statement from a Qualcomm executive about the Gen 4 being pricier than its predecessor raises questions about potential market shifts. Some manufacturers may consider alternatives like the Dimensity 9400 to maintain profit margins in 2025.
In addition to smartphones, the Snapdragon X Elite is expected to gain traction among notebook makers, providing a non-Apple alternative for consumers in the coming months. This could potentially narrow the performance gap in this market segment and offer more choices to consumers.
Rumors suggest that Qualcomm and its partners are expediting the launch of flagship smartphones featuring the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, with speculation that mass production could begin as early as September. This accelerated timeline could see the successor unveiled ahead of the October launch event for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
Digital Chat Station hints at an unnamed flagship powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, featuring a dual-curved screen. The chipset’s impressive performance improvements, coupled with its collaboration with smartphone manufacturers, indicate that it will pose strong competition to Apple’s M-Series.
In conclusion, the early benchmarks of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset have exceeded expectations, showcasing its potential to outperform its predecessor and compete with Apple’s latest M-Series. With its impressive performance and collaboration with smartphone manufacturers, Qualcomm is poised to make a strong impact in the market. Consumers can look forward to a new wave of flagship smartphones and notebook options that offer powerful performance alternatives to Apple’s offerings.
