The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 establishes a new standard for mobile performance alongside the OnePlus 15.
The OnePlus 15 marks the debut of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in India, recognized as the fastest mobile system on a chip (SoC) globally, providing an initial glimpse into the capabilities of the latest flagship mobile platform.
The OnePlus 15 is the inaugural smartphone in India that utilizes the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, recognized as the fastest mobile SoC globally, providing an initial glimpse into the capabilities of the latest flagship mobile platform. This new chipset signifies one of the most significant architectural advancements in recent years, featuring a next-generation Oryon CPU, an enhanced Adreno GPU, and the most recent Hexagon NPU designed for on-device AI. Collectively, these elements represent a more intelligent and efficient strategy for mobile performance, one that adjusts to practical usage rather than merely pursuing maximum speed.
In the current competition among flagship chipsets, preliminary benchmarks and gaming evaluations from the OnePlus 15 suggest that Snapdragon is establishing a robust early advantage in terms of CPU, GPU, and sustained gaming performance metrics.
Redefining mobile performance
At the core of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 lies the custom 3rd Generation Qualcomm Oryon CPU, achieving speeds of up to 4.6GHz, marking the highest clock speed recorded for a mobile CPU. Qualcomm asserts a 20% enhancement in CPU performance while simultaneously providing a 35% increase in power efficiency compared to its predecessor, resulting in an overall 16% reduction in SoC power consumption, which enables devices to maintain premium performance for extended periods.
Supporting this advancement is the Adreno GPU, which is now 23% faster and consumes 20% less power. When paired with Adreno High Performance Memory (HPM) and its 18MB of dedicated cache, the new GPU efficiently renders intricate scenes by minimizing memory fetches and enhancing data locality. Prominent game developers, including miHoYo, NetEase, and Tencent, are already utilizing features such as Mesh Shading and Tile Memory Heap to optimize bandwidth, enhance geometry management, and stabilize frame output in expansive, open-world settings. These architectural improvements provide direct advantages for prolonged gaming sessions, ensuring consistent frame rates even during demanding gameplay.
Benchmark figures support this assertion.
The OnePlus 15 stands out as one of the initial flagship devices to be equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. According to our Test Labs, it has achieved an impressive AnTuTu score of 3,713,105, positioning it among the leading Android devices based on current benchmark evaluations. In addition to our internal assessments, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 has consistently excelled in recent global AnTuTu rankings, securing all top five spots within the Android category.
In Geekbench tests, the device recorded a score of 3,500 in single-core performance and 10,511 in multi-core performance, demonstrating the Oryon CPU’s exceptional capabilities in both routine and multi-threaded tasks. These results represent more than mere incremental enhancements; they reflect the advancements in the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5’s redesigned CPU and AI task management, which ensures sustained responsiveness without the risk of overheating.
Gaming that provides a console-like experience
The Snapdragon Elite Gaming suite remains a crucial aspect for mobile gamers, and with the introduction of the 8 Elite Gen 5, the improvements are evident. The OnePlus 15 achieved a maximum of 121 FPS (with an average of 116.4 FPS) in BGMI and a peak of 164 FPS (averaging 143.1 FPS) in Call of Duty: Mobile, all without significant thermal throttling.
This level of consistency is attributed to the Tile Memory Heap and Mesh Shading technologies, which assist in maintaining stable frame rates while consuming less power. Coupled with comprehensive support for Unreal Engine 5, the experience brings smartphone graphics closer than ever to the quality of PC gaming, a difference that gamers will appreciate through smoother textures, dynamic lighting, and more lifelike particle effects.
Qualcomm’s AI-Powered Data Traffic Engine within the X85 5G Modem-RF System further improves the gaming experience by prioritizing online gameplay packets, reducing latency, and stabilizing connections during periods of heavy network traffic, which is essential for competitive gaming.
Agentic AI: enhanced performance, not merely increased speed
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is not solely focused on raw power. Its new Hexagon NPU and Qualcomm Sensing Hub facilitate what Qualcomm refers to as “agentic AI,” an artificial intelligence system that comprehends, learns, and adapts to user behavior. From contextual voice interactions to on-device image enhancement, the NPU’s performance is 37% faster and offers 16% better power efficiency per watt, enabling devices to provide intelligent experiences without complete dependence on cloud services.
Whether it involves a camera that automatically adjusts exposure during sunset or your assistant providing a real-time summary of a call transcript, the AI capabilities here feel authentically integrated rather than simply added on.
Connectivity designed for the hybrid age
Connectivity experiences significant enhancements with the Qualcomm X85 5G Modem-RF, which integrates 5G Advanced features alongside AI-driven beam management to ensure more dependable coverage. The latest FastConnect 7900 system facilitates Wi-Fi 7, achieving speeds of up to 5.8 Gbps and offering a 40% reduction in power consumption, while also providing up to 50% decreased gaming latency due to AI-optimized signal routing.
For both creators and commuters, this translates to quicker uploads, more seamless video conferencing, and nearly instantaneous cloud synchronization, even in crowded networks.
A platform that establishes the standard
The new Qualcomm Spectra AI ISP is also pivotal in how the platform manages photography. It now operates as a triple-processor system that works directly with the Hexagon NPU, enabling sophisticated computational photography at the hardware level. The transition to a 20-bit pipeline delivers four times the dynamic range compared to the previous generation, enhancing highlight retention and shadow detail. Features such as Night Vision 3.0 and real-time tone optimization are processed directly through this AI-ISP pathway, assisting the camera in providing more consistent color and exposure in challenging environments.
From professional-quality 8K HDR video recording to next-generation audio with Snapdragon Sound and aptX Lossless, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 epitomizes Qualcomm’s most comprehensive mobile platform to date.
While competitors are just starting to discuss GPU advancements, Qualcomm’s early advantage in CPU efficiency through its custom cores, AI capabilities, and network optimization indicates that the disparity may already be increasing. Instead of pursuing records, the 8 Elite Gen 5 prioritizes stability and intelligent efficiency in daily usage.