- Qualcomm may be working on a lighter version of the Snapdragon 888 chipset.
- The new chip may not have an integrated 5G modem.
- This could allow smartphone makers to launch cheaper flagship phones.
Qualcomm currently has two chipsets worthy of mention in the market, not to mention the older Snapdragons that used to equip the flagships of yesteryear. Between the Snapdragon 888, the top-of-the-line processor, and the Snapdragon 870, the overclocked Snapdragon 865 Plus, Qualcomm already caters for different premium price ranges. Now, it looks like the chip maker is preparing another flagship SoC that could make ultra-premium phones more affordable.
According to the informant Roland Quandt, Qualcomm is developing a lower version of the Snapdragon 888. The chipset allegedly carries the model number SM8325, which resembles the model name of the Snapdragon 888 SM8350.
Quandt believes that the new chip may not come with an integrated 5G modem, but Qualcomm can always add support for an external modem as it does with the Snapdragon 870.
Integrated 5G modems tend to increase the cost of a chipset, so not adding one allows manufacturers to keep the price of main phones under control.
Loading pollQuandt does not reveal any more details about the new Snapdragon 888 processor. It will probably be manufactured using a 5 nm process as its older brother, but we are not sure about that.
However, Qualcomm may have a winner on their hands, and customers can also expect to pay less for premium phones if the chip really hits the market.