A major leak has exposed detailed specifications for Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon SM8845 chipset, a processor poised to redefine the mid-range smartphone market by delivering flagship-tier performance at an accessible price. The revelation, first shared on the Chinese social platform Weibo via this post, provides an unprecedented look at the silicon powerhouse expected to debut in devices from Xiaomi, Realme, Motorola, and others in early 2025.
Performance Meets Affordability
According to the leaked documents, the Snapdragon SM8845 (codenamed “Himalaya”) will feature a 4nm process node, aligning it with Qualcomm’s premium-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen series. The octa-core CPU configuration reportedly includes:
1x Cortex-X4 prime core (3.2 GHz) for heavy lifting
3x Cortex-A720 performance cores (2.8 GHz)
4x Cortex-A520 efficiency cores (2.0 GHz)
This setup promises a 25% performance boost over 2023’s Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 while maintaining energy efficiency for longer battery life. The chipset also integrates the new Adreno 735 GPU, which allegedly matches the graphical prowess of last year’s flagship Adreno 740, enabling smooth 120Hz gaming and ray tracing support.
AI, Connectivity, and Imaging Upgrades
Qualcomm’s focus on AI continues with the SM8845’s upgraded Hexagon DSP, offering 40 TOPS (trillion operations per second) for on-device generative AI tasks like real-time language translation and advanced photo editing. Meanwhile, the Snapdragon X65 5G modem ensures sub-6GHz and mmWave connectivity, with peak download speeds of 10 Gbps.
Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the Spectra 580 ISP, which supports single cameras up to 200MP, 8K video recording at 30fps, and AI-enhanced low-light processing. The leak also highlights Wi-Fi 7 compatibility, Bluetooth 5.4 with LE Audio, and dual-frequency GPS.
Market Impact and Availability
Industry analysts predict the SM8845 could disrupt MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400 and Samsung’s Exynos 2500 in markets like India, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. “This chipset is a game-changer,” says tech analyst Ming-Chi Chen. “It brings premium features to phones priced under $500, which is where 60% of global smartphone sales occur.”
For consumers eager to experience current-gen Snapdragon-powered devices, top mid-range picks like the Nothing Phone (2) are already showcasing how affordable flagships can compete with premium models.
What’s Next?
Qualcomm has yet to confirm the SM8845’s existence, but insider sources suggest an official announcement could arrive at CES 2025. With devices likely hitting shelves by Q1 2025, the battle for the mid-range crown is heating up—and consumers stand to win big.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.