Earlier last month on March 18, leading chipmaker Qualcomm launched its newest processor, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 mobile platform. A slightly dialed-down and more affordable version of the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 system-on-a-chip (SoC), the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is positioned to power a new wave of high-end yet cost-effective Android smartphones.
Shortly after the announcement, several major Chinese phone brands have already confirmed that the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 will be utilized in their upcoming smartphone releases through teasers posted on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. Let’s take a look at some of these newly revealed phones:
Redmi Note 13 Turbo
Xiaomi sub-brand Redmi teased an unnamed mystery phone strongly hinted to be called the Redmi Note 13 Turbo or potentially the Poco F6 in global markets outside of China. While details remain scarce, current rumors point to the Redmi Note 13 Turbo rocking a large AMOLED panel, robust battery capacity with swift charging, and now the fresh off the production lines Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset.
Moto X50 Ultra
Lenovo-owned Motorola likewise took to Weibo to announce that its recently unveiled Moto X50 Ultra, also known as the Motorola Edge 50 Pro in select regions, will also take advantage of the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. Early buzz suggests that the Moto X50 Ultra will feature a gorgeous display, supreme camera setup, and fashionable color options, with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 bringing the power and efficiency.
Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro
Not to be outdone by its associated Redmi brand, Xiaomi confirmed that its impending Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro model destined for global markets will incorporate the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 silicon. Specific details remain few and far between for now, but anticipate Xiaomi’s proprietary Android skin and UX on top. Meanwhile, rumors float around concerning a separate Xiaomi phone headed exclusively for India and China that could match up nicely to the Civi 4 Pro spec-for-spec.
iQoo Z9 Turbo
Wrapping up the early brand confirmations, iQoo’s teaser promotes its fresh iQoo Z9 series making its debut in April and also taking advantage of the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3’s muscle. The yet-to-be-revealed iQoo Z9 Turbo variant is presently expected to ship with an excellent display and mammoth battery life based on insider chatter.
It appears smartphone OEMs are chomping at the bit to launch the next generation of not-quite-flagships that dial back just a hair on raw power in exchange for more affordable pricing. And with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 seemingly finding a home across Xiaomi sub-brands, Motorola, iQoo and beyond, consumers may soon enjoy an embarrassment of riches when it comes to premium handsets featuring the hottest new Qualcomm chip that don’t utterly destroy your wallet.
Exciting times ahead in the Android world as the scrappier Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 looks primed to make its presence felt, powering what could become some of 2024’s most popular smartphones from a variety of manufacturers now eager to confirm support.
Shoppers who don’t absolutely need the utmost bleeding edge performance afforded by the standard Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 now have a more accessible option on the horizon for enjoying fast 5G connectivity paired with rapid speeds, slick graphics and excellent AI capabilities.