Qualcomm Might Split Its Next Flagship Chip Into Two: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and Gen 6 Pro

Qualcomm’s naming strategy for its flagship processors seems to be getting more complex by the year. After switching from the Snapdragon 8 Gen series to the Snapdragon 8 Elite lineup, a new leak hints that the company could be preparing two versions of its next-generation chip — the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro.

If true, this would mark another shift in Qualcomm’s naming and product structure, potentially splitting its top-tier chip family into standard and “Pro” tiers for the first time.

The Confusion Behind Qualcomm’s Flagship Naming

The tip comes from reliable Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station (via), who claims Qualcomm is developing two chips under the “8 Elite Gen 6” label. The Pro variant would reportedly be the true successor to the current Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while the non-Pro model could be a slightly toned-down version sharing the same base architecture.

That distinction might sound simple enough, but it adds to Qualcomm’s already tangled naming history. The company’s flagship chip line started cleanly back in 2022 with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, followed by Gen 2 and Gen 3. But 2024 brought the “Elite” branding, turning the Gen 4 series into Snapdragon 8 Elite, and 2025 introduced the 8 Elite Gen 5.

Now, if both “Gen 6” and “Gen 6 Pro” arrive next year, the structure becomes even more layered — especially since Qualcomm still plans to launch a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 as a mid-tier chip later this year.

What the Leak Suggests About Specs

While Qualcomm hasn’t commented on the rumors, the leaks paint a picture of a technically ambitious next-gen chip. Both versions of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 are reportedly being built on TSMC’s advanced 2nm N2P process, a major leap forward from the 3nm node used in the Gen 5.

Internally, the chips may feature a third-generation custom CPU architecture in a 2+3+3 setup, combining two high-performance cores, three mid-tier cores, and three efficiency cores. According to early details, the main difference between the standard and Pro variants could come down to graphics performance — with the Pro model expected to offer a stronger GPU and exclusive support for LPDDR6 memory, the next generation of mobile RAM.

That memory upgrade alone could deliver noticeable improvements in multitasking, gaming, and power efficiency, making the Pro chip a likely choice for top-end flagships.

Rising Costs Could Mean Pricier Phones

The move to a 2nm node isn’t just about power efficiency. It’s also a costly shift. Reports suggest the N2P process and LPDDR6 memory could raise production expenses, which might result in higher retail prices for 2026 and 2027 flagship phones.

With the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 potentially targeting the mainstream premium segment and the Pro version aimed squarely at the ultra-high-end, we might see a broader pricing gap between models next year.

Upcoming Phones

We recently did a roundup of the phones launching this month, and there are a bunch of top-tier phones sporting the very best from Qualcomm, so check it out here.