Highlights

• Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 to be launched at Snapdragon Summit in October
• Expected to be more expensive than Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
• Custom Oryon CPU cores contribute to price increase
• Potential impact on sub-$500 flagship smartphone segment

Qualcomm is getting ready to launch its next flagship smartphone chip, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, at the upcoming Snapdragon Summit this October.

But the chipmaker’s most recent cutting-edge silicon will be pricey, and this might just increase the price of high-end Android phones.

According to several sources and industry analysts, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will be more expensive than the previous-gen Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

Qualcomm’s latest flagship chip includes new, innovative technologies and bespoke CPU cores that account for an uptick in pricing.

Challenging Sub-$500 Flagship Value

This price bump could have significant implications for the sub-$500 flagship smartphone segment, if the rumours by leaker Digital Chat Station come to fruition.

Devices in this affordable premium tier, priced at around 3,000 CNY (roughly Rs 35,000), may have to make some tight decisions about hardware configurations and profit margins.

The Redmi K50 Pro, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, was a surprisingly great value last year, but if the new Qualcomm processor proves too costly for manufacturers, its successor might not hold the same level of affordability.

Custom silicon drives up costs

Qualcomm’s use of proprietary CPU cores, called “Oryon,” is a big contributor to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4’s expected price increase.

The cores are designed in-house to squeeze the absolute best performance and efficiency out of this flagship silicon without relying on off-the-shelf Arm architectures.

As expected, this ambitious engineering project does not come cheap.

According to leaks, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 CPU may cost around $200 per unit that Qualcomm may charge smartphone makers.

Any upward revision for the Gen 4 version will be tough to swallow for manufacturers, having to decide between absorbing the additional costs or passing them on to customers.

While Qualcomm’s bleeding-edge mobile chips have traditionally demanded a premium, just how that generational price increase factors in remains to be seen.

However, chipmaker pursuit of performance and innovation will definitely ripple throughout the Android flagship scene, with implications to change value propositions and pricing tactics.

FAQs

When will Qualcomm launch the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4?

Qualcomm is expected to launch the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 at the Snapdragon Summit in October.

Why is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 expected to be more expensive?

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is expected to be more expensive due to its new, innovative technologies and custom Oryon CPU cores designed in-house for optimal performance and efficiency.

How might the price increase affect high-end Android phones?

The price increase for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 could lead to higher prices for high-end Android phones, as manufacturers may need to pass on the additional costs to consumers.

What impact will the price increase have on sub-$500 flagship smartphones?

The price increase could force manufacturers of sub-$500 flagship smartphones to make tough decisions about hardware configurations and profit margins, potentially affecting the affordability of these devices.

What are Oryon CPU cores?

Oryon CPU cores are proprietary cores designed by Qualcomm to maximize performance and efficiency in their flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip, rather than relying on standard Arm architectures.

Also Read: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 Could Have New Architecture With No Efficiency Cores

Also Read: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 SoC Benchmarks Reportedly Leaked Showing Massive Gains Over 8 Gen 3

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