Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: Everything you need to know

Qualcomm probably learned from its mistakes and difficulties after the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 fiasco and launched the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 with a considerably improved manufacturing process. The next Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is believed to have these improvements as well as a probable CPU configuration that differs from Qualcomm’s prior flagship SoCs.

Only SMC will take on orders for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. For those who are unaware, TSMC also mass produces the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 using its 4nm process, thus given the advancements achieved, Qualcomm’s decision to continue with its Taiwanese supplier makes perfect sense. Unfortunately, given the 3nm process is only used for the M2 Pro and M2 Max and Apple is TSMC’s most profitable customer, do not anticipate the forthcoming chipset to be produced on that technology.

Instead, TSMC will probably reuse its 4nm architecture to produce Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chips, but Qualcomm will make some adjustments to make sure it performs better than the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 while delivering improved efficiency. According to a report, the first samples of Qualcomm’s forthcoming flagship chip are more power-efficient than the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 and are probably going to trump Samsung’s Exynos 2300. With such encouraging news, we are inclined to recommend that Qualcomm continue with TSMC for its most recent launch.

In the race to mass produce 3nm semiconductors, Samsung has defeated TSMC. The first set of products is anticipated to start shipping to clients on July 25 after the Korean firm debuted its 3nm GAA technology over a month ago. Unfortunately, as far as we are aware, no smartphone manufacturer has contacted Samsung about using its 3nm, GAA processors. In terms of Qualcomm, if TSMC starts having issues with mass production, it may begin placing orders with Samsung.

Samsung has been ordered to send 3nm GAA samples to Qualcomm upon request so that the company can determine whether the next-generation node is viable for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. 

Qualcomm might choose Samsung if it offers a better deal than TSMC due to other aspects like costs. Regardless of the supplier it chooses, Qualcomm will carefully analyse its options because it does not want the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 to receive as much bad news as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.

A “1 + 3 + 4” CPU cluster is what Qualcomm has continued to use, and this includes the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1. Ultra-performance is brought to the table by the first single core, which is followed by three less powerful cores and four cores that are solely concerned with efficiency. With a reported “1 + 2 + 2 + 3” configuration, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 could go in a different path. There is reportedly one high-performance core with the codename Makalu, two Makalu cores, two Matterhorn cores, and three Klein R1 cores after it.

If the cores’ codenames are confusing you, take note that ARM recently unveiled some new CPU architectures with the names Cortex-X3, Cortex-A715, and an updated Cortex-A510, all of which have a variety of improvements. Makalu is the codename for the Cortex-X3, Matterhorn for the Cortex-X715, and Klein R1 cores for the Cortex-A510. There will be a total of three Cortex-X3 cores in this design, but similar to Qualcomm’s strategy, we believe that one of them will be operating at a higher frequency than the other two.

Alongside the unique CPU configuration, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is expected to be paired with Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon X70 5G modem, reaching new peak download speeds while consuming up to 60 per cent less power.

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