We've only just begun to get acquainted with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, and only a handful of phones equipped with this chip have hit the market so far. Yet, the buzz about a new version persists. The talk of a Snapdragon 8s Elite processor has been making the rounds for a short while, and now it's been associated with a new Xiaomi smartphone expected to arrive in early 2025.

Understanding Qualcomm's Nomenclature

Qualcomm's confusing naming system makes it challenging to grasp the power and position of the Snapdragon 8s Elite within their range. Apparently, it won't match or surpass the capabilities of the Snapdragon 8 Elite. Instead, it seems to fit between the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, as stated by a renowned industry commentator on the Chinese social network Weibo. It's worth noting that this space is currently occupied by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, raising doubts about the accuracy of the speculation.

The Model Number and Core Details

The chip is being referred to by the model number SM8735. According to a post on X, it may have a different set of cores compared to the 8 Elite. Instead of relying on Qualcomm's own Oryon chip cores, it will revert to using ARM cores. One of the most intriguing spec rumors is its potential to support 7,000mAh batteries with fast charging. Even phones with large battery cells, such as the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro, haven't boasted a battery capacity exceeding 6,000mAh.

The Link to Xiaomi and Its Features

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Elite is being connected to a phone from Xiaomi. The same Weibo source claims that this phone will have a small screen with a quad curve, similar to the recent Vivo X200 series. It will also sport a modest 1.5K resolution, along with a dual-selfie camera and a rear camera system tuned by Leica. There's a possibility that this device could be a continuation of the Xiaomi Civi series, which hasn't had a widespread global release in the past.

Approximate Launch Dates

There are some estimated dates circulating regarding when the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Elite might launch, mostly around March or April in 2025. This could potentially mean that the mystery Xiaomi phone will also make its debut around this time. For instance, the Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro was released in mid-March 2024, so the timing seems to align.