Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon platforms are not just about raw performance. At this year's Snapdragon Summit Global Highlights Meet, the company positioned India as a key market for its next wave of devices, while partners from iQOO, OnePlus, realme, and Xiaomi lined up to showcase how the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 will power their upcoming flagships.
The chipmaker also introduced the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme and X2 Elite for Windows PCs, extending its push into AI-driven personal computing. Together, the platforms mark what Qualcomm calls a pivotal moment in India's digital transformation.
"With the launch of Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and Snapdragon X2 Elite platforms, we are redefining what's possible across mobile and PC experiences," said Savi Soin, Senior Vice President and President, Qualcomm India. "These innovations bring personalized AI, unmatched performance, and power efficiency to the forefront. As India accelerates toward an intelligent connected future, Snapdragon is proud to lead the way in enabling smarter devices and empowering consumers and businesses alike."
For Smartphone Brands, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Is the New Battleground
For Qualcomm, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is not just a chipset. It is a statement of how central India has become in its flagship ecosystem. The company highlighted that the new platform, powered by the 3rd Gen Oryon CPU and enhanced GPU and NPU architectures, will soon anchor devices from virtually every major global and Indian smartphone brand.
iQOO was among the first to stake its ground, with CEO Nipun Marya stressing that "performance isn't just a feature, it's who we are," and confirming that the iQOO 15 will debut in India with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 at its core. OnePlus, another long-time Qualcomm partner, echoed this sentiment. Robin Liu, CEO of OnePlus India, said the collaboration has been "in lock-step for more than ten years" and promised that the upcoming OnePlus 15 would once again "lead the way" for its community with the new platform.
realme is using the moment to signal its premium ambitions. CMO Francis Wong said the brand and Qualcomm share "a vision to make flagship technology more powerful and accessible," with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 expected to redefine performance standards on the upcoming realme GT 8 Pro. Xiaomi's Chief Marketing Officer, Anuj Sharma, framed the company's adoption of the chip as an extension of its mission to deliver "flagship experiences that enhance lives," pointing to the upcoming Xiaomi 17 Series as the next chapter in its Snapdragon-powered journey.
Taken together, these endorsements underline how Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 has become a unifying platform for brands that otherwise compete fiercely in the same market. The consensus is that the chip's AI capabilities, imaging advancements, and performance gains are not just incremental upgrades but enablers of new product strategies, particularly in India, where demand for premium devices is accelerating.
PCs Join the AI Race
The spotlight was also on Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme, designed for ultra-premium Windows 11 PCs. Featuring 80 TOPS of AI processing power, the fastest NPU for laptops and up to 75 percent faster CPU performance than competitors at the same power, the platform is aimed at creators, professionals, and researchers. Devices powered by Snapdragon X2 Elite are expected to be available in the first half of 2026.
Why India Matters
The alignment of multiple smartphone brands in India with Qualcomm's flagship platform underscores the country's growing role in the global tech ecosystem. India is not just a volume market but also a proving ground for AI-driven, performance-heavy devices across price tiers. By centering its summit here and spotlighting its partners, Qualcomm is sending a clear message: India is a strategic front in the battle for the next generation of mobile and PC computing.
