Survey discloses why you don't need chips like 8 Elite Gen 5 for ultra-fast performance

Not every car needs to be the fastest, so is the case with smartphones, because the trend of faster chips over the recent years has intensified and is compelling users to opt for premium smartphones equipped with the latest chips like Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 5.

While such incredibly heavyweight chipsets do impress us with performance metrics that make previous generations appear sluggish, a new high-end option isn’t always the best fit for everyone's needs, a recent survey revealed, whose half of participants preferred not to go with the highest-end options.

This pertains to Qualcomm's recently introduced Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, a modern 3nm component, which comes with specifications slightly toned down compared to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.

While it is not the fastest chip available, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 offers a subtle mix of features from both the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and the earlier Snapdragon 8 Elite. It may not match the raw performance of its predecessors, but it represents a significant boost over the 8 Gen 3 and comes without the hefty price tag of the Elite chips.

To assess consumer sentiment, a poll was recently held with over 5,500 respondents, and nearly half expressed support for the 8 Gen 5. Among those unconvinced, opinions were divided: some prioritised speed, others questioned whether the cost savings justified any potential performance sacrifices, while some were waiting to see real-world performance from devices using this chip.

The most intriguing part is that many users believe that most people won’t need the full capabilities of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.

As we go deeper into 2026, it will be fascinating to see how impressively these so-called best smartphones in the market sell.