If you are waiting for the next generation of Android flagship phones, today is an important day. Qualcomm is starting Snapdragon Summit 2026 today, September 22, where we should finally learn about the chips that will power many upcoming premium smartphones.
The event runs from September 22 to September 24 in Maui, Hawaii. Qualcomm has already teased two new Snapdragon 8 Elite chips for the opening day. Leaks currently call them Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro, although Qualcomm hasn’t confirmed these names yet.
Snapdragon Summit 2026 Runs From September 22 to 24
Qualcomm holds the Snapdragon Summit every year to introduce new technology for phones, computers and other devices. This year’s event once again takes place in Maui.
Day 1 starts with Qualcomm CMO Don McGuire at 9 AM Hawaii Time. CEO Cristiano Amon follows with the main keynote at 9:10 AM, while the mobile keynote starts at 10 AM. The mobile session will be the important one for Android phone users.
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| Date | Session | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| September 22 | CEO Keynote | Snapdragon strategy, AI and new platforms |
| September 22 | Mobile Keynote | Next Snapdragon 8 Elite chips |
| September 23 | Personal AI & Sound | On-device AI and audio technology |
| September 23 | Compute Keynote | Snapdragon PCs and agentic AI |
| September 24 | Summit Sessions | More demos and technology sessions |
Qualcomm Has Teased Two Snapdragon 8 Elite Chips
This year could be a little different. Qualcomm released a teaser showing two Snapdragon 8 Elite chips side by side with September 22 underneath. Qualcomm hasn’t revealed their full names or specifications yet.
However, leaks have consistently pointed to Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and a higher-end Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro. If Qualcomm really splits its flagship lineup this way, phone makers could use the regular chip in standard flagships and reserve the Pro version for their most expensive models.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 vs Gen 6 Pro: What We Know So Far
Several details about the two processors have appeared ahead of the Summit. Both are tipped to use a 2nm manufacturing process, while the Pro model could get higher CPU speeds and support newer memory and storage standards.
Here is how the two chips are expected to differ based on current leaks:
| Feature | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 2nm expected | 2nm expected |
| CPU | Next-gen Oryon | Higher-clocked next-gen Oryon |
| RAM Support | Not confirmed | LPDDR6 expected |
| Storage | Not confirmed | UFS 5.0 expected |
| Position | Flagship phones | Higher-end flagship phones |
| Status | Expected | Expected |
These aren’t final specifications. Qualcomm should confirm the actual differences during its mobile keynote, so the table could change once the chips become official.
Both Chips Could Move to 2nm
The move to 2nm could become one of the biggest upgrades this year. Qualcomm’s previous flagship generation used a 3nm process, so another manufacturing change could help with performance and power efficiency.
The Pro version has also been linked with CPU speeds approaching 5GHz. Faster LPDDR6 memory and UFS 5.0 storage could further separate it from the standard chip. We won’t have to wait much longer to find out which of these leaks are correct.
Xiaomi, iQOO and OnePlus Could Be Among the First
We may also see the first phones using these processors quite soon. Several Android brands are already preparing their next flagship launches. The Xiaomi 18 Pro series is expected to arrive in China shortly after Snapdragon Summit 2026.
The iQOO 16 has also been linked with the higher-end Pro chip, while OnePlus could use it in the upcoming OnePlus 16. Samsung is another major Qualcomm partner. Reports have linked the Galaxy S27 Ultra with the next flagship Snapdragon platform for its 2027 launch.
Exact chip choices can still vary between phones and regions, so we will have to wait for each company to confirm its own device.
Agentic AI Is a Big Part of Snapdragon Summit 2026
The event isn’t only about faster processors. Qualcomm is putting a lot of attention on what it calls the “agentic age.” The basic idea is to make AI on phones, computers and other devices more useful for completing tasks rather than only answering questions.
Qualcomm’s Day 1 CEO keynote is titled “Snapdragon for the Agentic Age,” while Day 2 moves further into personal AI. That means we should hear plenty about on-device AI alongside the usual CPU, GPU and gaming improvements.
PCs, Sound and XR Are Also Part of the Event
Qualcomm has more planned after the smartphone announcements. Day 2 starts with a CEO fireside chat, followed by a Personal AI & Sound keynote.
There is also a session about Qualcomm’s unified AI compute layer, followed by a Compute keynote called “The Agentic PC is Here.” XR is another area to watch during the event. Qualcomm has been expanding its chips for smart glasses and mixed-reality devices, so smartphones won’t be the only hardware getting attention in Maui.
Where to Watch Snapdragon Summit 2026
Qualcomm is broadcasting Snapdragon Summit 2026 online through its official website. The Day 1 broadcast begins at 9 AM Hawaii Time, with the mobile keynote starting at 10 AM.
For smartphone users, the two new Snapdragon 8 Elite chips will probably be the main announcement to watch. We already know Qualcomm has teased two chips, but their official names and complete specifications remain under wraps.
The keynote should finally tell us how different the two processors really are. After that, attention will quickly move to Xiaomi, iQOO, OnePlus and other brands preparing the first phones with Qualcomm’s new flagship hardware.
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