Key facts
- Qualcomm launched Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 processors for smartphones.
- The chips feature new sensing hubs capable of running local AI models up to 200 million parameters.
- The Extreme version can run a 30 billion parameter mixture-of-experts (MoE) model locally.
- The new processors offer pixel-level control for cameras, improved stabilization, and support for 8k60fps video recording.
- Motorola announced its Signature 27 smartphone will be powered by the Snapdragon Gen 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6.
Qualcomm has introduced its latest flagship smartphone processors, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6, with a significant emphasis on enhancing artificial intelligence capabilities directly on devices. At its annual Snapdragon Summit, the company detailed how the new chips are engineered to support more sophisticated AI agents, offering improved personalization and local processing power.
The new processors feature advanced sensing hubs capable of running smaller AI models, up to 200 million parameters, locally. This allows smartphones to perform tasks such as running a personal scribe, differentiating between speakers, and building usage-based memory for task automation. The company stated that these chips can handle complete voice-in and voice-out AI agent interactions.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6, in particular, boasts an accelerator designed for efficient model execution and can locally process a 30 billion parameter mixture-of-experts (MoE) model. This contrasts with Apple's recently announced 20-billion-parameter MoE model. Beyond AI, the new Qualcomm CPUs also enhance camera functionalities with pixel-level control, improved stabilization, and support for high-resolution video recording, including 8k60fps and 4K240fps for slow-motion. Both chip variants incorporate AI for vocal enhancement, noise reduction, and a new voice bubble technology to isolate user noise during calls.
Motorola has already announced its upcoming Motorola Signature 27 smartphone will utilize the Snapdragon Gen 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6, with availability expected later this year. This launch aligns with a broader industry trend, as noted by figures like Carl Pei and John Ternus, suggesting a future where smartphones become primary devices for AI interaction over dedicated gadgets.