Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy powers the Samsung Galaxy S26 Series
As you should already know, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy was announced for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. It is Qualcomm's most advanced Snapdragon mobile platform yet, while the Galaxy S26 Plus and Galaxy S26 will use it in select markets.
Developed in close collaboration with Samsung, the customised platform is engineered specifically to enhance the Galaxy AI experience and deliver faster performance, stronger connectivity, and more advanced on-device intelligence.
Custom Oryon CPU and Adreno GPU Drive Next-Gen Performance
According to Qualcomm, the heart of Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy is Qualcomm’s custom-built 3rd Gen Oryon CPU, paired with an upgraded Adreno GPU and a powerful Hexagon NPU. Together, these components are designed to significantly boost performance across productivity, gaming, imaging, and AI tasks.
Qualcomm said users can expect smoother multitasking, faster workflows, and more responsive system performance. The platform is also optimised to handle increasingly complex on-device AI features without compromising battery efficiency.
Smarter Galaxy AI and Personalised Experiences
The platform plays a central role in delivering Samsung’s latest Galaxy AI features. Capabilities such as Now Nudge, which provides contextual suggestions and performs background actions on behalf of users, are designed to run seamlessly on Snapdragon hardware. Qualcomm and Samsung worked closely to ensure these AI features are not only fast but also efficient and secure. The goal is to provide more personalised, real-time intelligence directly on the device rather than relying heavily on cloud processing.
Advanced Camera Capabilities Including Professional Video
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy also enhances the Galaxy S26 camera system. One standout feature is support for Advanced Professional Video capture, aimed at creators who demand higher-quality recording tools on a smartphone. Combined with the upgraded image processing capabilities of the platform, users can expect improved imaging performance, better computational photography, and more refined video experiences across the S26 lineup.
Enhanced Connectivity With Smart Transmit and FastConnect 7900
Connectivity receives a major upgrade as well. The platform integrates Qualcomm Smart Transmit technology, which optimises uplink power across 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and satellite connections. This results in faster uploads, improved signal coverage, and more stable performance without sacrificing efficiency.
Additionally, the Galaxy S26 Ultra and S26+ benefit from the Qualcomm FastConnect 7900 Mobile Connectivity System, which includes integrated Ultra Wideband support. This enables more precise device interactions and improved responsiveness in everyday use cases, such as file transfers, smart device pairing, and location-aware features.
A Longstanding Partnership Reaches a New Milestone
Executives from both companies emphasised that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy represents a significant milestone in their long-standing collaboration. Qualcomm highlighted that the platform is customised specifically for the Galaxy S26 Series, delivering top-tier performance and efficiency designed to redefine how users engage with their devices across creative and productivity tasks.
With the Galaxy S26 Series, Qualcomm and Samsung are positioning intelligent performance, advanced imaging, and seamless connectivity at the centre of the next evolution of flagship smartphones. For more information about the Samsung Galaxy S26 Series, you can check out our news coverage for each model below: