Writing on Weibo, the well-known source suggested that Qualcomm is fast-tracking the development of the Snapdragon 8 Elite v2 (SM8850), potentially moving its launch forward compared to the first-generation model, which was unveiled this October. 

While no specific launch date has been mentioned, the acceleration could mean Qualcomm's flagship SoC will be powering devices before the end of 2025. As with its predecessor, the Snapdragon 8 Elite v2 will reportedly use TSMC's advanced 3nm process (N3P node).

Digital Chat Station also hinted at improved GPU performance, although exact figures remain undisclosed. 

The Snapdragon 8 Elite v2 is expected to cost more than its predecessor, reflecting a broader trend of rising application processor (AP) costs.

Reports indicate that Qualcomm’s next-gen chip could deliver a 20 per cent performance boost, which may help justify the increased price. However, these costs are likely to be passed onto consumers, raising the price of flagship Android devices over the next 12 to 18 months. 

The current Snapdragon 8 Elite (v1) had limited global availability, debuting primarily in the iQOO 13. Its reach is set to expand with upcoming Samsung and OnePlus flagship releases. Despite the v1 chip’s slow rollout, the prospect of an accelerated v2 launch suggests Qualcomm is keen to solidify its leadership in the premium SoC market. 

While the possibility of an earlier launch is intriguing, analysts recommend approaching the news with caution. Qualcomm has yet to officially confirm any details, and leaks about the Snapdragon 8 Elite v2 remain fortune telling.