Qualcomm releases Android chip built for AI amid memory shortage
Qualcomm has unveiled its new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chips, which are specifically designed to handle on-device artificial intelligence tasks. The launch aims to position these chips as central hubs for AI processing, reducing reliance on cloud computing as the smartphone industry shifts toward agentic models.
Why it matters
This development marks a significant shift in mobile hardware, prioritizing local AI processing power to compete with Apple's integrated ecosystem amid a broader smartphone market contraction.
Qualcomm unveiled its newest Android phone chipsets, which will be tuned for on-device artificial intelligence and will compete with Apple's A20 Pro in iPhones.
The new chips, under the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 brand name, will be built on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s 2-nanometer manufacturing process, and will be included in premium smartphones from companies including Motorola, Xiaomi and ZTE, Qualcomm said in a press release on Tuesday.
Qualcomm is introducing two versions of the chip, one with extra capabilities and "extreme" branding.
The launch comes as the broader smartphone industry is reeling from a worldwide contraction due to skyrocketing memory costs that have driven up the price of finished devices.
The overall smartphone market is expected to shrink 14% in terms of units shipped in 2026, and potentially another 1% in 2027, according to Counterpoint Research .
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