Qualcomm unveils Snapdragon 8S Gen 3, bringing flagship features to mid-range devices, including on-device generative AI support

Qualcomm has introduced its latest chipset, the Snapdragon 8S Gen 3, positioned just below its flagship 8 Gen 3 in terms of capabilities and price. The new chipset aims to democratize features previously exclusive to higher-end devices, including support for on-device generative AI models, at a more accessible price point.

In terms of specifications, the 8S Gen 3 features a GPU similar to the standard 8 Gen 3 but with one less performance core and a lower frequency. It also incorporates a previous-generation modem, the X70 5G, which includes Wi-Fi 7 support. Additionally, the chipset supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing for smoother performance in photorealistic games.

One of the notable features of the Snapdragon 8S Gen 3 is its support for multimodal generative AI on-device, capable of running large language models of up to 10 billion parameters. While it doesn't offer all the AI capabilities of the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, it supports virtual assistants and image expansion powered by generative AI.

Qualcomm's Deepu John, senior director of product management, explains that each Snapdragon high-level tier can be further categorized into sub-categories. The "S" series chip, like the 8S Gen 3, sits just below the standard 8 Gen 3, with the potential for an 8 Plus Gen 3 to sit above it in the future.

However, the smartphone market's landscape remains somewhat convoluted, with manufacturers still using the previous flagship, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, in devices like the OnePlus 12R. Additionally, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 sits below the 8S Gen 3 but has only appeared in a few devices. Qualcomm's strategy appears to be finely segmenting the high-end phone market, possibly to deter OEMs from opting for MediaTek for their mid-range devices.

While the Snapdragon 8S Gen 3 is expected to debut in devices soon, it may not immediately appear in devices sold in the US. Manufacturers such as Honor, iQOO, Realme, Redmi, and Xiaomi have announced plans to utilize the platform, with new devices anticipated to arrive "in the coming months."

One of the notable features of the Snapdragon 8S Gen 3 is its support for multimodal generative AI on-device, capable of running large language models of up to 10 billion parameters