Qualcomm Snapdragon 888: New Chip Announced

Qualcomm began its yearly summit today with a fully online presentation, unveiling the Snapdragon 888 platform. The company is intentionally holding back some detailed specifications for later segments of the virtual event, as a comprehensive overview of its newest System on a Chip (SoC) has not yet been released.

Currently, we have a brief statement from Qualcomm’s president, Cristiano Amon: “Delivering exceptional user experiences demands a continuous dedication to innovation. It requires sustained investment, even when facing significant challenges. It necessitates a forward-thinking organization committed to developing technologies that reshape premium experiences.”

While largely celebratory in tone, this statement confirms interest from several leading smartphone manufacturers who plan to integrate the chip into upcoming devices. These companies include ASUS, Black Shark, LG, MEIZU, Motorola, Nubia, realme, OnePlus, OPPO, Sharp, vivo, Xiaomi, and ZTE.

Furthermore, Qualcomm has skipped the anticipated 875 designation. According to a statement provided to TechCrunch,

This mirrors similar decisions made by smartphone brands such as OnePlus. The new platform fully supports 5G connectivity, utilizing the company’s third-generation X60 5G modem, which is compatible with both sub-6 GHz and millimeter wave 5G frequencies. It also incorporates a 6th-generation AI Engine, capable of processing 26 trillion operations per second (TOPS) while enhancing power efficiency.

Enhanced imaging capabilities are also a key feature of the 888. The chip boasts an Image Signal Processor (ISP) that is up to 35% faster, supporting data throughput of up to 2.7 gigapixels per second – equivalent to processing approximately 120 twelve-megapixel photographs simultaneously. Gaming performance has also been upgraded through enhancements to the Elite Gaming platform. Additional details, including the initial smartphones featuring the new SoC, will be announced shortly.