SAN DIEGO: Qualcomm’s next-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset is poised to hit the market ahead of Samsung’s anticipated Galaxy S26 Ultra launch, with Xiaomi set to be the first manufacturer to unveil a device powered by the new mobile platform.
During Qualcomm’s earnings call Wednesday, CEO Cristiano Amon confirmed that Xiaomi will be “the first OEM to launch with our next Snapdragon 8 Elite chip,” reaffirming the brand’s early adopter reputation. The announcement places Xiaomi at the forefront of the chipset rollout, likely unveiling its phone shortly after the Snapdragon Summit in September.
Samsung’s top-tier Galaxy S26 Ultra, expected to utilize the same processor, is not slated for release until January 2026 at the earliest. Other Galaxy S26 variants may feature Samsung’s own Exynos 2600 chip, according to industry speculation.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite platform has already demonstrated performance benchmarks in past deployments, such as the Xiaomi 15 series, which debuted days after last year’s Summit. Analysts anticipate similar launch timing this year, potentially offering early performance data before Samsung’s flagship enters the scene.
Industry watchers are closely monitoring chipset developments as mobile manufacturers vie for competitive advantages ahead of the next product cycle.