Qualcomm may be preparing a more divided approach to its next high-end mobile processors, with fresh leaks suggesting two distinct versions of its upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 platform.

Information circulating online points to both a regular model and a higher-tier Pro version arriving in the same generation, a move that could give smartphone makers greater flexibility when designing devices across different price brackets. It may also create a clearer separation between mainstream flagship handsets and more expensive premium models.

Details shared by industry tipster Digital Chat Station indicate that both chips will share a similar technical foundation. They are expected to be manufactured using TSMC’s 2-nanometre process and adopt a 2+3+3 CPU structure, suggesting that core performance characteristics will remain closely aligned.

The main differences are likely to appear in graphics performance and memory support. The Pro version, reportedly identified internally as SM8975, is said to include an Adreno 850 GPU paired with 18MB of GMEM. By comparison, the standard version, known as SM8950, could feature a slightly less powerful Adreno 845 GPU with 12MB of GMEM.

Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform.

These changes could translate into noticeable gains for the Pro variant in demanding tasks such as high-end gaming and advanced graphics rendering. Improved efficiency in these areas may also benefit battery life during intensive use.

Memory compatibility may further distinguish the two chips. The Pro model is expected to support both LPDDR6 and LPDDR5X RAM, while the standard version could be limited to LPDDR5X. This would give manufacturers more scope to push performance boundaries in premium devices while keeping costs lower for more accessible models.

If the leak proves accurate, Qualcomm’s strategy this year appears to be focused on deeper segmentation within its flagship line-up. Earlier reports have suggested that the Pro version may carry a significantly higher price, which could in turn drive up the cost of top-tier smartphones.

Such a split would likely widen the performance gap not only between mid-range and flagship devices, but also within the flagship category itself, as brands increasingly reserve their most advanced hardware for Ultra-labelled models.