Qualcomm has just announced two new affordable smartphone chipsets, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 and Snapdragon 4 Gen 5, and they promise to be bigger than just an annual refresh. Both chips offer an all-around upgrade, with the performance and efficiency getting a major uplift.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 5

The latest Snapdragon 6-series chip uses the same 4nm node as its predecessor but upgrades CPU and GPU to deliver higher performance and stability. The connectivity upgrades and advanced AI camera features are also promising, raising the bar for mid-range chipsets.

CPU offers 20% faster app launch and faster multi-core performance

On the CPU side, the peak clock speed jumps from 2.3 GHz to 2.6 GHz, and because the Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 upgrades to a (4 performance + 4 efficiency) cluster, all four performance cores benefit from higher speeds.

Its predecessor, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4, uses a (1 prime + 3 performance + 4 efficiency) CPU cluster, so the peak speed of 2.3 GHz applies only to a single core, while the remaining seven cores operate at lower speeds. The shift from one 2.3 GHz “prime” core to four 2.6 GHz performance cores in the Gen 5 significantly improves multi-core performance. The new chip also promises a 20% faster app launch.

GPU upgrades with premium features and 21% faster performance

The upgraded Adreno GPU delivers 21% better performance and brings modern gaming features for sustained performance and higher stability. The new 6 Gen 5 chip introduces premium gaming features usually found on flagship chips, including the Adaptive Performance Engine 4.0, which dynamically manages device resources and thermals to ensure sustained FPS during long gaming sessions.

The new SoC also brings Snapdragon Game Super Resolution and Qualcomm Game FPS 3.0 to deliver sharper graphics and stable frame rates, with official HDR gaming support.

Camera gets advanced AI features

With the latest camera upgrades, Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 narrows the gap with high-end chips. It adds 100x in-sensor zoom support for the first time in the Snapdragon 6-series. The feature uses AI to enhance clarity when using extreme digital zoom.

The new chip also brings AI-based low-light technology, which is designed to capture sharper, more vibrant photos in dark environments, and supports 4K HDR recording at 30 fps.

Connectivity gets a major upgrade with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0

One of the biggest highlights of the Snapdragon 6 Gen 5 is Wi-Fi 7 support, which was previously reserved for high-end flagship chips. It allows for a higher speed of up to 5.8Gbps with a lower latency. The chip also includes the latest Bluetooth 6.0 standard, offering improved stability and power efficiency.

The chip also upgrades to a 3GPP Release 17 5G modem, which improves upload speeds and reliability in crowded areas.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 5

The Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 promises significantly faster GPU performance and upgraded connectivity with better stability and Dual SIM Dual Active support. The camera also receives notable upgrades.

Modest CPU upgrades, but a far better GPU

The Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 uses the same 2+6 CPU cluster as its predecessor, but increases the peak clock speed to 2.4 GHz (up from 2.3 GHz) to deliver a meaningful performance boost.

The Adreno GPU brings a generational upgrade, promising a 77% faster performance. The 4 Gen 5 is also the first in the Snapdragon 4 lineup to support 90fps gaming at HD resolution. The chip also introduces a Snapdragon Smooth Motion UI feature that makes scrolling and animations feel much more fluid.

Qualcomm claims a 43% faster app launch on the Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 compared to its predecessor. The new chip also delivers 10% better power efficiency.

Upgraded camera and connectivity

The Snapdragon 4 Gen 5 adds support for 1080p video recording at 60fps and electronic image stabilization. It also brings a suite of photography tools, including intelligent face detection, auto-focus, auto-exposure, and auto-white balance.

The fifth-generation chip includes a 5G modem with a higher peak download speed of 2.8Gbps (vs. 2.5Gbps on the 4 Gen 4). It supports Dual SIM Dual Active (DSDA) 5G + 5G/4G connectivity for the first time in the Snapdragon 4-series. This means both SIM slots can maintain simultaneous connections without compromise. The 4 Gen 5 also adds support for Qualcomm Sound with 96kHz lossless streaming and aptX Adaptive Audio.

	Snapdragon 6 Gen 5	Snapdragon 4 Gen 5
Announced	May 2026	May 2026
Process node	4nm (TSMC)	4nm (TSMC)
CPU cluster	4 performance cores + 4 efficiency cores	2 performance cores + 6 efficiency cores
GPU upgrades	21% faster Adaptive Performance Engine 4.0 Snapdragon Game Super Resolution Qualcomm Game FPS 3.0 HDR gaming support	77% faster
Memory	LPDDR5/LPDDR4X	LPDDR4X
Storage	UFS 3.1	Dual-channel UFS 3.1
App launch speed	20% faster	43% faster
Screen lag reduction	18%	25%
Camera upgrades	100x AI zoom support AI Night Vision support 4K HDR video recording at 30 fps	Intelligent face detection Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) support 1080p video recording at 60 fps Auto-focus, Auto-exposure, Auto-white balance
Connectivity upgrades	3GPP Release 17 5G modem Peak 5G speed: 5.8Gbps Wi-Fi 7 support Bluetooth 6.0 support	Integrated 5G modem Peak 5G speed: 2.8Gbps Dual SIM Dual Active (DSDA): 5G + 5G/4G

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Samsung’s cutting-edge 1.4nm node takes a big step forward as the company begins its early testing on the upcoming Exynos chipset. The upcoming Exynos chip in question will reportedly have higher peak clock speeds and a massive 96MB of System Level Cache (SLC), along with many notable upgrades.

Since Samsung’s more focused on improving the yield stability of its 2nm process, we’ll see a couple more iterations of the 2nm GAA process before the 1.4nm process enters mass production. That also means the 1.4nm Exynos chip under testing is unlikely to be the unreleased Exynos 2700. Regardless, the early details of this 1.4nm Exynos chip, shared by @SPYGO19726, look promising.

The chip will have a 10-core CPU cluster divided into a ‘2+4+4’ configuration. The two prime cores achieve a maximum speed of 4.50GHz, while the current Exynos 2600 peaks at 3.8GHz. That’s a solid 19% jump in the peak speed. Further, the four performance cores operate at 3.80GHz, and the four efficiency cores run at 2.00GHz.

Perhaps the most exciting development of this Exynos chip is the integration of 96MB of SLC cache. The tipster also reports an ultra-wide bus width to minimize latency between the CPU cores and the GPU. A large SLC can store much more frequently used data to achieve a lower memory latency and a boost in bandwidth. This effectively reduces the need for components such as CPU, GPU, NPU, and ISP to remain active all the time to send information to the larger cache.

Also read:
1. TSMC ramps up 2nm production capacity with five fabs, targeting a major leap over 3nm capacity
2. TSMC’s 2nm supply shortage forces smartphone brands to save the best for top-end models amid growing DRAM crisis

Unfortunately, it’s more expensive to produce chipsets with a large SLC cache because it occupies a significant portion of the silicon die. And with larger dies, production costs also go up. It’s important to note that 10MB is the highest SLC cache in smartphone chips, found in the Dimensity 9500. Bumping it to 96MB would result in a die size incompatible with smartphone form factors. However, it can be used in many other device categories.

With Samsung targeting 2029 for the mass production of its 1.4nm node, there’s still plenty of time for development and optimizations. Therefore, it’s best to treat these early details with a grain of salt. Consequently, while these early specifications are exciting, it’s best to treat them with a grain of salt.

We’ll keep you updated with the latest details in our News section. You can visit the page regularly to stay updated. Or join our Telegram channel to receive instant alerts as we post new stories.

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After extensive beta testing, Samsung has finally started rolling out the stable One UI 8.5 update, based on Android 16 QPR2. As anyone would easily guess, it’s the Galaxy S25 series getting the first bite of the stable rollout.

Samsung wasted no time in expanding the One UI 8.5 rollout to more Galaxy devices. The Galaxy S25 FE, Galaxy S24 Edge, Galaxy Z Fold 7, and Galaxy Z Flip 7 were quick to follow. The rollout should expand to more Galaxy phones and tablets over the coming days and weeks.

Here’s a list of Galaxy devices that have received the stable One UI 8.5 update so far:

• Galaxy S25
• Galaxy S25+
• Galaxy S25 Ultra
• Galaxy S25 Edge
• Galaxy S25 FE
• Galaxy Z Fold 7
• Galaxy Z Flip 7

As always, South Korea is the first region to receive the update. Users in other regions should expect to receive the update over the next few days. If your device is on the list, navigate to Settings > Software updates > Download and install to check whether the update is ready to download.

Stable One UI 8.5 rollout took a lot longer

Samsung took a lot longer to kick off the stable One UI 8.5 rollout than we had expected. The beta program for the Galaxy S25 went live in December 2025, and over the next five months, Samsung released ten beta builds. That’s well above four or five betas Samsung usually pushes before the stable release.

The stable rollout has finally gone live, and Samsung appears to be speeding things up. The update has already reached seven devices in a single day. Hopefully, it will continue to cover the rest of the eligible Galaxy devices at a good pace. If you’re unsure about the update’s eligibility for your device, check the complete list here to find out.

We’ll update you with the latest developments in our Samsung section. You can visit the page from time to time to stay updated. Or, join our Telegram channel to get instant updates.

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Google has already released four betas of Android 17, which are more than enough to show us what the upcoming version has in store. There are some new, exciting features, as well as many essential upgrades to existing ones, that make the software more useful and feature-rich.

With the stable Android 17 release approaching, here are the eight features or upgrades I can’t wait to try.

1. A native app lock, finally

Google is finally bringing the ability to lock individual apps, a feature users have been requesting for years. You will be able to lock apps directly from the home screen by long-pressing an app icon and choosing the “App lock” option from the quick options menu.

You can set up app lock using a PIN, pattern, password, or biometrics like fingerprint or face unlock, without needing a third-party app. This feature on the Google Pixel works just like any other app lock, but keep in mind that notifications for a locked app, along with all associated shortcuts and widgets, will be hidden.

Google notes that certain AI features, such as Gemini’s screen automation, may still be able to interact with apps, depending on permissions. You’ll be notified if other apps have access to the app you’re locking.

Most Android skins, including One UI, already have this feature, but it’s a nice welcome addition for Google Pixels.

2. Floating app bubbles make multitasking easier

The bubble feature has been around for quite a few years now, but it was restricted to messaging and conversations. Android 17 takes it a major step forward by allowing users to turn any app into a floating bubble.

For example, if you’re watching a tutorial on YouTube and noting important steps on Google Keep, you’ll be able to convert Google Keep into a floating bubble for quicker access. When you tap the Keep bubble, the app will open in a small floating window, while the YouTube tutorial plays in full screen. This is better than switching between the two apps and using them in a split-screen view.

You will be able to close an app bubble by dragging it to the bottom of the screen.

Bubbles are more useful on large-screen devices like foldables or tablets where the user has more screen to work with than on a regular smartphone.

3. A more powerful screen recording with a preview screen

Android 17 will upgrade the screen recording experience with a more refined UI and a new preview screen. Currently, when you tap the screen recording tile in Quick Settings, a pop-up shows up asking about the recording area and audio options.

In Android 17, when you tap the screen recording tile, a new floating pill interface will show up, letting you choose what to record, whether to record device audio or microphone (or both), and whether to show touches. You can tap the status indicator in the status bar to bring back the floating pill UI.

Once you stop the recording, you’ll see a new preview screen where you can play, edit, delete, or share the clip instantly without opening the gallery.

4. Mandatory Large-Screen Adaptivity

Google enforces a stricter policy on app resizability and orientation, preventing developers from restricting apps to a single orientation on large devices (sw ≥ 600dp). This effectively skips smartphones (generally below 600dp) and targets tablets and larger-screen devices.

The latest move is designed to make Android apps truly adaptive. On a device running Android 16 or an earlier build, if you open a portrait-locked app on a landscape tablet, the app appears as a tall, narrow window in the center of the screen, with thick black bars on the sides. In Android 17, the app would rotate to fill the gap, resulting in a more usable screen and better app experience.

Games are exempted from these strict mandates to ensure they don’t break during critical gameplay.

Google began phasing out apps’ ability to restrict screen orientation and resizability on large-screen devices with Android 16. However, it still allowed app developers to opt out of this change. But Android 17 makes it mandatory, and developers will no longer be able to opt out.

5. Hide app names on the home screen

In the Beta 3 build, Google introduced a feature that lets users hide the app labels on the home screen. This isn’t a big step, but it helps users create a cleaner home screen setup.

To hide app labels, you’ll need to go to Wallpaper & style, tap Home screen, select Icons, tap the Names tab at the bottom, and turn off the toggle for Show app names. Keep in mind that this won’t affect the app drawer or apps inside folders.

6. Separate Wi-Fi and mobile data toggles

On Pixel devices running Android 16 or earlier, if you need to switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data, or turn them on or off, you must open Quick Settings, tap the Internet tile, and then perform the action.

Many users have expressed their frustration with the extra step required to access Wi-Fi or mobile data. After nearly four and a half years, Google is finally allowing users to add separate Wi-Fi and mobile data toggles in Android 17.

This change would particularly benefit Pixel users, as most other Android skins, including Samsung’s One UI and OnePlus’s OxygenOS, already have it.

7. Give apps limited access to your contacts

Right now, there’s no way to give apps access to specific contacts. If you grant the contacts permission, the app will have access to all contacts stored on your device.

This is certainly not a privacy-focused approach, and therefore, Google is introducing a new system-level Contact Picker interface that will allow users to select one or more contacts to share with an app at a time. Google says apps won’t be able to track any changes you make to a contact’s information.

Contact Picker grants temporary, session-based read access to the specific data fields selected by the user. That means the app will need to request permissions again after the session timeout, further strengthening users’ privacy.

8. Seamless task continuity on another device

Google is working on a “Task Continuity” feature, which will allow users to sync notifications, share files, and continue apps across their linked Android devices. Essentially, you will be able to transfer an app’s current state from one Android device to another. This feature could debut with Android 17.

This feature will show a suggestion on the taskbar representing the running app from another device. When you click this suggestion, the system initiates the handoff and passes the remote app’s state, as Android Authority explains.

Google announced the new Handoff API in Android 17 Beta 2, which allows developers to specify the application state to resume on another device. Once enabled, the Android system displays a handoff suggestion in the launcher of the user’s nearby devices.

Final build may not include all of them

If you’ve been following Android releases, you’d know that Google doesn’t include all the features from the beta builds into the final package. But there’s a very good chance some of them will make it to the final release.

All the features we’ve discussed so far are available in the Android 17 beta releases. You can get an eligible Google Pixel to test them or wait for the stable release, which could happen around June 2026.

We’ll regularly update you with the latest information in the Android 17 section on this website. You can visit the page regularly for the latest details, or join our Telegram channel for instant updates.

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