Qualcomm Unveils the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, Driving Unprecedented Performance in the Galaxy S26 Series
Highlights:
- Qualcomm and Samsung’s decades-long strategic partnership strengthens with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy powering the Galaxy S26 series.
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy—the world’s fastest mobile system‑on‑a‑chip—brings powerful on‑device agentic AI for more personalized and intuitive Galaxy experiences.
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. today introduced its most advanced Snapdragon® Mobile Platform to date – the Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform for Galaxy – set to power Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra globally and Galaxy S26+ and S26 in select regions. Featuring the custom-built 3rd Gen Qualcomm Oryon™ CPU, groundbreaking Qualcomm® Adreno™ GPU, and advanced Qualcomm® Hexagon™ NPU, the platform fuels extraordinary new capabilities for Galaxy users—unlocking faster workflows, enhanced camera capabilities including Advanced Professional Video (APV) capture1, and more personalized on-device AI experiences like Now Nudge.
Qualcomm Technologies and Samsung collaborated closely to optimize Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy for the latest Galaxy AI experiences. From delivering timely and relevant suggestions to handling actions in the background on the user’s behalf, these capabilities are designed to run smoothly and efficiently on Snapdragon. Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy also features Qualcomm® Smart Transmit™ technology to help users stay connected by optimizing uplink power across 5G, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, and satellite links. This delivers faster uploads, improved coverage, and seamless performance—without compromising safety or efficiency. Additionally, powered by the Qualcomm® FastConnect™ 7900 Mobile Connectivity System, Galaxy S26 Ultra and S26+ further elevate this experience with integrated Ultra Wideband (UWB), enabling more responsive interactions in everyday use.
“For more than two decades, our collaboration with Samsung has helped shape the trajectory of mobile technology. Now, with the Galaxy S26 Series powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, we’re taking a bold leap into the future of intelligent, high-performance mobile experiences,” said Chris Patrick, senior vice president and general manager of mobile handsets, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “This platform is customized specifically for the Galaxy S26 Series, enabling top-tier performance and efficiency to redefine how users engage with their devices —from creative processes to productivity tasks—with greater speed, precision, and personalization.”
“We’re proud to deepen our collaboration with Samsung as the Galaxy S26 Series ushers in the next evolution of mobile intelligence powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy,” said O.H. Kwon, senior vice president and president, Qualcomm APAC, QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies (Korea) YH. “This milestone reflects the strength of our strategic partnership and our shared commitment to delivering AI-accelerated performance and seamless user experiences across Samsung’s flagship devices.”
“With Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy powering the S26 Ultra globally, we are delivering our most refined and powerful Galaxy experience yet,” said Inkang Song, EVP and Head of Technology Strategy Team, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Our longstanding strategic partnership with Qualcomm Technologies enables us to bring industry-leading capabilities to millions of Galaxy users, delivering a more powerful, responsive, and personalized experience that enhances users’ everyday interactions.”
For more information on Snapdragon Mobile Platforms, visit www.snapdragon.com.
About Qualcomm
Qualcomm relentlessly innovates to deliver intelligent computing everywhere, helping the world tackle some of its most important challenges. Building on our 40 years of technology leadership in creating era-defining breakthroughs, we deliver a broad portfolio of solutions built with our leading-edge AI, high-performance, low-power computing, and unrivaled connectivity. Our Snapdragon® platforms power extraordinary consumer experiences, and our Qualcomm Dragonwing™ products empower businesses and industries to scale to new heights. Together with our ecosystem partners, we enable next-generation digital transformation to enrich lives, improve businesses, and advance societies. At Qualcomm, we are engineering human progress.
Qualcomm Incorporated includes our licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of our patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, substantially all of our engineering and research and development functions and substantially all of our products and services businesses, including our QCT semiconductor business. Snapdragon and Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm patents are licensed by Qualcomm Incorporated.
