Upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 phones to wait for

The age of Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 has officially begun. Xiaomi fired the first shot with its 17 series in the global market, but the real fun is only just starting. Over the next few months, every major Android brand worth its salt will be flexing Qualcomm’s most powerful mobile silicon yet, and it’s shaping up to be an all-out brawl for flagship dominance.

These are the top upcoming phones with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 you should keep your eyes peeled for.

Realme GT 8 Pro: All-in on gaming flair

Realme has made a habit of packaging raw performance in slick, value-packed devices, and the GT 8 Pro looks set to double down on that reputation. The phone is confirmed to ship with Qualcomm’s latest 3nm powerhouse, offering a serious leap in performance and efficiency.

But Realme is adding a twist. A dedicated R1 graphics chip to create a dual-core gaming experience. In other words, this silicon is tuned for sweaty battle royales and marathon RPG sessions.

Backing that is a flat 2K display, dual symmetrical speakers for actual stereo sound, and a camera system fronted by a 200MP periscope telephoto. If the rumours about a 7,000mAh battery are true, this could be one of the rare flagships that doesn’t leave you glued to a charging cable after a day of heavy use.

OnePlus 15: Familiar formula, bigger ambitions

OnePlus is sticking to its “fast and smooth” mantra but raising the stakes with the OnePlus 15. It will sport a 6.7-inch 1.5K LTPO OLED display with a ridiculous 165Hz refresh rate, the kind of spec gamers drool over. Add IP68 protection, a triple 50MP camera array with periscope zoom, and the latest Android 16 via ColorOS 16, and you’ve got a device ticking nearly every flagship box.

ALSO READ: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 launched, sets a new benchmark for Android

What’s more intriguing is the battery story. A 7,000mAh cell paired with 120W charging isn’t just big, it’s borderline audacious. Expect whispers of this at the OnePlus Gaming Conference in China before a global rollout in early 2026.

iQOO 15: Specs on steroids

If the OnePlus 15 feels bold, iQOO wants to be even more audacious. The iQOO 15 will come with a 6.85-inch Samsung “Everest” display boasting 2K resolution, 144Hz refresh, and retina-scorching 6,000-nit brightness. Toss in 3,200Hz touch sampling rate too!

ALSO READ: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Elite and X2 Elite Extreme take aim at the Windows PC crown

The cameras aren’t slouching either. It houses a 50MP primary, 50MP ultrawide, and a telephoto lens for 3x zoom. Like its rivals, the iQOO 15 packs a 7,000mAh battery with 100W wired and wireless charging. A colour-changing back panel has been confirmed, which adds that little dash of theatre.

Honor Magic 8: Style with smarts

Whether or not this phone will show up in India is still up in the air, but it’s worth a mention. Honor is playing the style card with the Magic 8, teasing razor-thin bezels, metal frames, and a dedicated AI button.

With a 200MP main camera and Snapdragon’s latest at its core, the Magic 8 series could be the curveball in this lineup of Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 phones. Expect IP68 certification, ultrasonic fingerprint sensors, and a mix of display sizes spanning 6.58 to 6.9 inches.

Poco F8 Pro: The wildcard

Poco has confirmed it’s joining the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 party but hasn’t revealed the full playbook yet. The brand’s F-series has long been about value-driven chaos, and the F8 Pro (or Ultra, depending on how they brand it) could repeat the formula with a 2K OLED display, stereo sound, and a monstrous 7,100mAh battery. Poco’s timing may not steal the limelight from Xiaomi, but it will definitely keep the segment buzzing.

ALSO READ: Xiaomi 15T, 15T Pro announced with a fast display and Dimensity performance

None of these phones are available so far, so if you’re looking to get your hands on some flagship firepower right away, you could check out the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra or OnePlus 13. Of course, the S26 Ultra will also likely feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, but it’s expected to storm the market after the listed phones do.

Coming back to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, what’s clear is that it isn’t just another annual bump. With real 3nm gains, efficiency-first architecture, and powerhouse performance, this chip is setting the stage for the fiercest flagship season we’ve seen in years.

Which upcoming flagship phone are you waiting for? Drop a comment with your pick.