Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 Scores Lower Than Gen 5 in Early Benchmarks

Qualcomm's next-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 has appeared in early benchmark tests, but the results show a performance dip compared to the previous generation. This drop matters because it suggests the new chip may struggle to deliver the expected generational leap in raw processing power for upcoming flagship smartphones. Buyers waiting for a significant speed upgrade should temper their expectations until final silicon reviews arrive.

Engineering sample results show performance regression compared to previous generation

The processor, identified by the Geekbench ID QTI SM8975, runs on a smartphone codenamed Vivo V2606A. This device is likely the upcoming iQOO 16, which typically uses Qualcomm's top-tier silicon for its gaming-focused lineup. The listing confirms the presence of an Adreno 850 GPU in the backend, aligning with the expected hardware configuration for this tier of mobile device.

• Geekbench 6.7.1 Single-Core Score: 3,434
• Geekbench 6.7.1 Multi-Core Score: 9,334
• CPU Configuration: 2+3+3 layout
• Peak Core Clock Speed: 5.01 GHz
• Sustained Clock Speed: 4.59-4.60 GHz

Engineering sample scores place the chip at 3,434 points in single-core and 9,334 points in multi-core testing. These figures fall short of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, which averaged 3,631 single-core and 10,940 multi-core points. The new chip utilizes a 2+3+3 CPU layout, with its two fastest cores reaching a peak clock speed of 5.01 GHz on paper.

Telemetry data reveals that the chip could not sustain its 5.01 GHz peak during the benchmark run. Instead, the processor spent the test at a sustained frequency of roughly 4.59 to 4.60 GHz. This thermal or power limitation explains the lower overall scores and indicates that final product tuning will be critical for performance.

Qualcomm is expected to officially reveal the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 at the Snapdragon Summit in September. Until then, these early engineering samples provide the only concrete data on the chip's capabilities. The final performance will depend on how well device manufacturers manage the chip's power and thermal constraints in production units.

Source: NotebookCheck