Qualcomm’s Next Budget Chip Could Bring On-Device AI To The Phones Most People Actually Buy

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TL; DR
  • Leaked specs for the unannounced Snapdragon 4 Gen 6 (SM8475) reveal a TSMC 4nm chip with two Cortex-A78 performance cores.
  • The chip is the first in the Snapdragon 4 series to feature a dedicated Hexagon DSP and AI processor, potentially bringing on-device AI to sub-$300 Android phones.
  • Other notable additions include LPDDR5 RAM support, UFS 3.1 storage, and a Release 17 5G modem, though USB speeds remain at 2.0.

Leaked material for Qualcomm’s unannounced SM8475 chipset has surfaced online. It is believed to be the Snapdragon 4 Gen 6, which is supposed to be the next entry in the series that will power some of the cheapest Android smartphones on the market. The leak originates from a confidential diagram sheet that offers the most detailed look yet at what Qualcomm has planned for the budget segment.

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Snapdragon 4 Gen 6: Leaked Specifications

The chip could be built on TSMC’s 4nm process, the same node as its predecessor. It is powered by two Kryo Gold cores, reportedly based on Cortex-A78 architecture, paired with six Kryo Silver cores based on Cortex-A55. The CPU configuration looks like a conservative one for 2026, especially by flagship standards. However, for sub-$300 phones where everyday performance matters more than benchmark peaks, it should be a capable baseline chipset.

The more interesting development, I’d say, is on the AI front. The Snapdragon 4 Gen 6 is listed with a dedicated Hexagon DSP and AI processor. This sounds like a hardware combination that was not available on the previous Snapdragon 4 series chips.

This marks a meaningful shift: on-device AI features, which have until now been largely the domain of premium Snapdragon 8 Elite-class devices, could trickle down to mainstream and budget handsets.

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SpecificationSnapdragon 4 Gen 6 (Leaked)
Model NumberSM8475
Manufacturing ProcessTSMC 4nm
CPU2x Kryo Gold (Cortex-A78) + 6x Kryo Silver (Cortex-A55)
GPUAdreno 600-series
AI / DSPDedicated Hexagon DSP + AI processor (first in Snapdragon 4 series)
RAM SupportLPDDR5
StorageUFS 3.1
5G ModemRelease 17, sub-6GHz
USBUSB 2.0

Other notable features might include support for LPDDR5 RAM, UFS 3.1 storage compatibility, and a Release 17 5G modem with sub-6GHz support. USB speeds remain at 2.0, which is a limitation worth flagging for buyers who transfer large files regularly. However, it all depends on the price at which manufacturers release Snapdragon 4 Gen 6-powered handsets.  

snapdragon 8 elite 5

On the GPU side, the Snapdragon 4 Gen 6 is said to feature an Adreno 600-series GPU. For context, the Snapdragon 4 Gen 5’s Adreno 600-series GPU delivered a 77% performance boost over its own predecessor, suggesting the Gen 6 could continue that trajectory. 

Also Read: Gabit Ring Review: Great Value Without the Subscription Trap

Qualcomm has not officially announced the chip, and no specific launch timeline or device partnerships have been confirmed yet.

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Shikhar MehrotraShikhar Mehrotra
Shikhar Mehrotra is a seasoned technology writer and reviewer with over five years of experience covering consumer tech across India and global markets. At Smartprix, he has authored more than 1,700 articles, including news stories, features, comparisons, and product reviews spanning automobiles, smartphones, chipsets, wearables, laptops, home appliances, and operating systems. Shikhar has reviewed flagship devices such as the iPhone 16, Galaxy S25+, and Sennheiser HD 505 Open-Ear headphones. He also contributes regularly to Smartprix’s growing automotive section.

With a deep understanding of both iOS and Android ecosystems, Shikhar specializes in daily tech news, how-to explainers, product comparisons, and in-depth reviews. His DSLR photography in product reviews is recognized as among the best on the team.

Before joining Smartprix, Shikhar wrote for leading publications including Forbes Advisor India, Republic World, and ScreenRant. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from Amity University, Lucknow.

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