New Delhi | Updated: November 27, 2025 08:45 AM IST
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Qualcomm’s goal is to trickle down premium features to more accessible price points while still delivering a premium experience. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
Qualcomm on Wednesday launched a new mobile chip as it looks to cater to the growing demand for premium mid-range smartphones. The move ramps up Qualcomm’s efforts to challenge the dominance of Apple, which continues to sell older flagships at slightly lower prices in emerging markets like India.
OnePlus will be one of the first companies to launch a smartphone with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor. Motorola, iQOO and Vivo will also launch smartphones featuring Qualcomm’s new chipset in the coming months.
Qualcomm’s goal is to trickle down premium features to more accessible price points while still delivering a premium experience. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 brings Qualcomm’s in-house Oryon central processing unit for more power and efficiency over older silicon from Arm. Compared to last year’s mobile chip, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 CPU offers 36 per cent better performance and 76 per cent better web browsing responsiveness. Meanwhile, an updated Adreno GPU brings increased clock speeds (up to 3.8GHz) and an 11 per cent graphics performance boost, while a Hexagon NPU delivers a 46 per cent improvement in performance.
OnePlus, Vivo and IQOO, among others, will be the first brands to launch smartphones with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
Qualcomm suggests these improvements along with the use of its Snapdragon Sensing Hub could enable more personalised AI that continues to learn about the user over time.
On the camera side, Qualcomm highlights the Spectra Triple AI ISP paired with the Hexagon NPU to enable advanced computational photography. Users will benefit from 4x greater dynamic range, offering richer detail and contrast across varying lighting conditions as well as AI-driven capabilities such as Night Vision 3.0 and real-time tone adjustments. These features will “intelligently optimize skin tones, skies, and now vegetation for more lifelike images and video.” For gaming, Qualcomm lists support for 165 fps (whenever a game supports it), improved multi-threaded performance, and support for Mesh Shading.
The 8 Gen 5 uses the X80 modem, which enables phones to better utilize signal bandwidth in a carrier’s network, build out satellite connectivity, and improve 5G home internet performance.
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Qualcomm is launching a new mobile chip at a time when consumers are holding onto their phones for longer than they did a decade ago. The average consumer now keeps their smartphone for at least 24 months, and that cycle is getting even longer. Qualcomm and its partners need to convince consumers that they should upgrade to a new device, although many fear that with phone prices increasing, it will be difficult to sell newer models in major markets like the US and Europe, where the economy is stagnant and job losses due to AI are a real concern.
Anuj Bhatia is a seasoned personal technology writer at indianexpress.com with a career spanning over a decade. Active in the domain since 2011, he has established himself as a distinct voice in tech journalism, specializing in long-form narratives that bridge the gap between complex innovation and consumer lifestyle.
Experience & Career: Anuj has been a key contributor to The Indian Express since late 2016. Prior to his current tenure, he served as a Senior Tech Writer at My Mobile magazine and held a role as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. His professional trajectory reflects a rigorous commitment to technology reporting, backed by a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University.
Expertise & Focus Areas: Anuj’s reporting covers the spectrum of personal technology, characterized by a unique blend of modern analysis and historical context. His key focus areas include:
Core Technology: Comprehensive coverage of smartphones, personal computers, apps, and lifestyle tech.
Deep-Dive Narratives: Specializes in composing longer-form feature articles and explainers that explore the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture.
Global & Local Scope: Reports extensively on major international product launches from industry titans like Apple and Google, while simultaneously covering the ecosystem of indie and home-grown tech startups.
Niche Interests: A dedicated focus on vintage technology and retro gaming, offering readers a nostalgic yet analytical perspective on the evolution of tech.
Authoritativeness & Trust
Anuj is a trusted voice in the industry, recognized for his ability to de-jargonize trending topics and provide context to rapid technological advancements. His authority is reinforced by his on-ground presence at major international tech conferences and his nuanced approach to product reviews. By balancing coverage of the world's most valuable tech brands with emerging startups, he offers a holistic and objective view of the global technology landscape.
Find all stories by Anuj Bhatia here.
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3 min read
OnePlus, Vivo and IQOO, among others, will be the first brands to launch smartphones with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
