Hadlee Simons / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Beforehand, we confirmed that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 can be dearer than the 8 Gen 3.
- At present, we’ve extra data on this, suggesting a big worth bounce of 25-30%.
- If true, it appears probably smartphone costs would go up in 2025.
In the course of the launch of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in October final yr, Qualcomm advised us that the eventual Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 can be dearer than the 8 Gen 3. At present, we realized somewhat extra about how way more costly the flagship Android processor could be.
In accordance with dependable leaker Ming-Chi Kuo, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 could possibly be 25-30% dearer than the 8 Gen 3. This can be a main bounce, placing the chip’s price someplace within the $200 vary.
Whereas a big enhance within the chip’s price doesn’t essentially imply a rise in client prices for the telephones that launch with it, it actually doesn’t assist. Smartphone OEMs may lower prices elsewhere to assist offset this enhance, for instance. It’s additionally doable that different part prices will come down, permitting OEMs to even issues out with out rising client prices.
Nevertheless, a rise of as much as 30% is so much, so it’s affordable to anticipate that not less than a portion of this price would trickle right down to the buyer degree.
Just lately, we’ve seen worth will increase within the ultra-premium smartphone phase. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely, Google Pixel 8 Professional, and iPhone 15 Professional Max all elevated by $100 in comparison with their earlier counterparts. Solely one in every of these telephones — the Galaxy S24 Extremely — comes with a Snapdragon processor, but it surely does present an upward development for the most costly telephones.
It’s doable the anticipated worth enhance for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 may imply worth will increase for premium telephones that aren’t on the prime of the meals chain. For instance, in the USA, the Galaxy S sequence’ vanilla and Plus fashions have stayed the identical worth for years. It wouldn’t be shocking if, in 2025, these costs jumped by a bit for the primary time shortly.
We reached out to Qualcomm for a touch upon this story, however didn’t instantly hear again. We’ll replace this text if and once we obtain an announcement.