At the end of next October, just before the spooky holiday Halloween, the big tech company Qualcomm was getting set to show off their newest and best processor chip, called the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4.

This new "brain" for phones and tablets, with the code name "Sun" and made at the TSMC factory using the tiny 3nm process, was a real big deal for Qualcomm. It is extra special because this one would be the first to use Qualcomm's own CPU cores they designed called Oryon.

(Photo : Unsplash/ Azamat E)

Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 Leaks

Word going around online from some leakers said the chip's model number, SM8750, would probably have two really powerful cores called "Phoenix" plus six others that were strong but not as strong.

What stood out was how, this time, there wouldn't be any tiny cores for small tasks - it was aiming to use cores that could do more to save battery life better.

The Dimensity 9300 chip from MediaTek packs eight beefy CPU cores, lacking efficiency cores to help save power, sparking worries about overheating troubles.

When put through the test, the thing turned down the heat by almost half because it was getting too toasty, though MediaTek said that the test was "wrong." It claims the 9300 uses 10% to 15% less juice on hardcore tasks and as much as a third less power paired with the 9200, aiming to be efficient.

Qualcomm copied that idea, trimming tiny cores in its Snapdragon lineup. The 8 Gen 2 had three smaller ones, dipping to only two for the current 8 Gen 3.

There are fears for Qualcomm's upcoming 8 Gen 4 chip.

According to some leaks, it'll run into the same heating hassles as MediaTek, based on what Digital Chat Station said. Supposed to pop up in 2025, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is set for the Galaxy S25 Ultra and some Galaxy S25 phones.

Buzz hints that the 8th Gen 5 will see TSMC and Samsung Foundry working together to make it, targeting Samsung's flagship devices coming out in 2026.

Also Read: OnePlus 12 Vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Unveiling The Snapdragon Powerhouse, Which Reigns Supreme? 

Snapdragon Chip Codenames

The Snapdragon chip that goes by the code name "Sun" in software could shine compared to the past chips called "Lanai" and "Pineapple" on benchmark tests like Geekbench.

Rumor has it that it'll switch out the Arm Cortex cores for two big Nuvia Phoenix L cores and six smaller Nuvia Phoenix M cores, with an earlier leak from this year.

While precisely what "L" and "M" mean isn't clear, they probably stand for "large" and "medium." Similar to the Dimensity 9300 from MediaTek, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 won't use the low-power efficiency cores. But will it get too hot?

If this "sun" name ends up being real and not just for show, overheating could really make the chip live up to its name.

Future Looks Bright for Qualcomm

Qualcomm's financials have been steady for 21 years now, with dividends paid each time. They put money into new stuff like the latest Snapdragon, too. It seems reasonably priced, with over $133 billion worth and earnings close to what was expected.

Lately, the returns have been good, a sign for investors. Qualcomm blending reliability with what's new makes them an exciting choice, as pointed out by InvestingPro.

Their future looks bright as they keep paying out advanced technologies simultaneously. For individuals seeking both security and opportunity, Qualcomm represents a promising prospect. Though risks persist, their balanced profile portrays promise.

With dedication to steady cash circulation plus pioneering innovations, Qualcomm remains an enticing prospect.

Related Article: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Benchmarks Confirm Qualcomm's Performance Claims