For years, the mantra in smartphone chips has been simple: more cores, more power, more flagship! So, imagine our surprise when whispers (and some solid leaks) started swirling about Qualcomm’s mighty Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 getting… six-core variants. Yes, you read that right. Not the usual eight, but a lean, mean six. This isn’t your everyday chipset news, and it raises some intriguing questions about where premium mobile performance is headed.
The tech world recently caught wind of two new versions of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, known by their geeky part numbers, SM8650-Q-AA and SM8650-Q-AB. Unlike their fully loaded octa-core siblings, these new kids on the block are rocking a six-core CPU setup. And one of them, the SM8650-Q-AB, has already been spotted in the wild, specifically in a Geekbench listing for an upcoming Lenovo tablet. That’s a strong hint this isn’t just a rumor!
The Six-Core Surprise: What’s Under the Hood?
So, how exactly does a “flagship” chip go from eight cores to six? For the SM8650-Q-AB variant, the core configuration is pretty unique:
- One super-powerful Prime Core (Cortex-X4) running at a zippy 3.30GHz.
- Four high-performance cores (Cortex-A720) clocked at 2.96GHz.
- Just one efficient core (Cortex-A520) humming along at 2.27GHz.
This “1+4+1” layout is a noticeable departure from the typical “1+5+2” arrangements we see in other Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 models. Yet, it still packs the same powerful Adreno 750 GPU, suggesting graphics performance remains top-tier. The SM8650-Q-AA variant is expected to follow a similar six-core pattern, possibly with slightly different clock speeds.
Why the Downsize?
- Cost Control: Fewer cores can mean lower manufacturing costs. This allows phone makers to use a “flagship-tier” brain in more affordable premium devices or tablets, giving you that high-end feel without the super high-end price tag.
- Thermal Management: Less active cores generally mean less heat. For sleek, thin devices or those without complex cooling systems, a 6-core chip could offer robust performance without turning your phone into a hand warmer.
- Power Efficiency: Believe it or not, sometimes fewer cores can actually be more efficient for certain daily tasks, potentially extending battery life in devices where raw, unbridled peak performance isn’t the absolute top priority.
- Market Expansion: Qualcomm is likely creating new segments within the premium space. Think “affordable flagships,” high-end tablets, or even souped-up premium mid-range phones. This could be a “Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Lite” in spirit, though no official name has been announced.
Still a Flagship Contender?
Don’t let the “six-core” label fool you. With its cutting-edge core architecture (Cortex-X4 and A720) and the powerful Adreno 750 GPU, these variants are still packing a serious punch. For 99% of what you do on a smartphone—from intense gaming to seamless multitasking—you’re unlikely to notice a drop in performance compared to the 8-core versions. This is about optimized performance for a wider range of devices.
This clever move from Qualcomm could blur the lines between traditional “flagships” and “premium mid-range” phones. It means more choices for us, the consumers, with the promise of genuinely robust performance available at potentially more attractive price points. We’re eager to see which devices will be the first to adopt these intriguing new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 variants in the coming weeks!
If you liked this article, check out our other articles on Snapdragon Series.
