The upcoming Snapdragon Summit, scheduled for September 23, promises to unveil new processors that will shape the future of premium smartphones in 2026. One of the most anticipated launches is the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2, a flagship chipset that is set to power the most high-end devices. 
However, recent leaks suggest that Qualcomm might also introduce a less powerful yet equally intriguing option: the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5.
According to a benchmark leak, the REDMAGIC 11 Pro could be one of the first devices to feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5. While this chipset is not considered a flagship model, it still offers impressive performance. The device achieved a single-core score of 3,309 and a multi-core score of 10,742 in Geekbench 6, highlighting its capabilities despite being a step down from the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2. The REDMAGIC 11 Pro is equipped with 16GB of RAM, and its performance cores run at 4.20GHz, while the efficiency cores clock in at 3.63GHz.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, despite being categorized as a non-flagship chipset, could offer an excellent balance between performance and cost. Interestingly, the REDMAGIC 11 Pro’s choice of this chipset over the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 may be driven by the latter’s higher cost, as well as the fact that the 8 Gen 5 offers a better price-to-performance ratio. The benchmark results show that the 8 Gen 5 is running at its maximum clock speeds, which is likely due to the superior cooling solution implemented in the device.
Comparing the REDMAGIC 11 Pro with other upcoming devices, it is important to note that Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Edge, which is expected to feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2, shows minimal performance improvements when compared to the REDMAGIC device. This could indicate that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, despite not being a flagship chip, is highly capable in real-world use cases. It also comes with an Adreno 840 GPU, the same GPU that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 is expected to pair with, providing a robust visual experience.
Ultimately, while the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 may offer higher clock speeds and superior performance cores, the 8 Gen 5 seems to provide exceptional value for those who don’t need the absolute best. By being mass-produced on an advanced manufacturing process, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 could be a strong contender for mid-range flagship devices in 2026, offering an impressive balance of power and price.