HIGHLIGHTS

  • Snapdragon 888 is Qualcomm’s latest flagship chipset
  • The chipset will be the brain behind most Android flagships in 2021
  • The list of Qualcomm Snapdragon 88 SoC phones currently include OnePlus 9 series, Mi 11, iQOO 7, Galaxy S21, and more.




Snapdragon 888 SoC-powered phones have started arriving within the market. Xiaomi took the lead on this front by launching the world’s first Snapdragon 888 phone late last year. More and more OEMs are now joining the bandwagon with their respective flagship offerings in 2021. We’ll be taking a glance at them during this article. But, before we get right down to Snapdragon 888 phones list, here’s everything you would like to understand about the newest chipset from Qualcomm that delivers an enormous intensify in graphical capabilities, photography, machine learning, and more.

Snapdragon 888 SoC features


Snapdragon 888 SoC, which can power flagship Android phones in 2021, is that the successor to Snapdragon 865-series chipset. The SoC is touted to deliver 25 percent higher processing power and 25 percent faster graphics rendering over its predecessor. The chipset uses 5nm process technology and packs a third-generation Qualcomm Snapdragon X60 5G modem to deliver an enhanced 5G connectivity across global networks. The modem brings support for 5G sub-6 carrier aggregation and mmWave to supply up to 7.5Gbps speeds. It also makes the chipset compatible with all major networks worldwide and lets users access distinct networks for managing their personal and work numbers while on international roaming.


Snapdragon 888 SoC specifications

  • 5nm process technology
  • Qualcomm Hexagon 780 processor.
  • A 64-bit Kryo 680 based on ARM Cortex-X1 at up to 2.84GHz
  • Three Kryo 680 cores based on Cortex-A78 at up to 2.42GHz
  • Four Kryo 680 cores based on Cortex-A55 at up to 1.8GHz
  • Adreno 660 GPU
  • Snapdragon X60 Modem
  • Qualcomm FastConnect 6900 system
  • Qualcomm Spectra 580 ISP
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon Elite Gaming
  • Qualcomm Aqstic audio codec
  • Quick Charge 5 technology

The chipset also comes with a sixth-gen Qualcomm AI Engine that's rated to deliver up to 3 times performance per watt improvement over the previous generation. The SoC supports HDR quality graphics, new 6GHz capacity over Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth v5.2, and up to 4K display at 60Hz or QHD+ at 144Hz. The Snapdragon 888 SoC may be a first within the series with triple image signal processing. it's capable of capturing from three cameras simultaneously at a processing speed of up to 2.7 gigapixels per second. The ISP also enables 128fps burst shots and allows users to capture three 4K HDR videos at an equivalent time. there's a replacement low-light architecture also that's claimed to assist capture brighter photos, even in near-darkness.

Snapdragon 888 phones

1. OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro

OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro are Snapdragon 888 SoC-powered phones. The 2021 flagships from OnePlus also offer significant improvement over their predecessors on the camera front. Both OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro pack Hasselblad cameras that bring a dedicated Pro mode (co-developed with Hasselblad), tilt-shift photography, and 12-bit RAW format, among other features. While the OnePlus 9 sports 48MP + 50MP + 2MP Triple cameras at the back, the OnePlus 9 Pro comes with 48MP + 50MP + 8MP + 2MP quad cameras.



Other key OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro specifications include the 5G support, 120Hz punch-hole display, Android 11 OS, 65W wired charging, and a 4,500mAh battery. The Pro model also comes with an IP68 rating and 50W fast wireless charging solution. The OnePlus 9 price in India starts at Rs 49,999, while the OnePlus 9 Pro costs Rs 64,999.

2. ASUS ROG Phone 5

ASUS ROG Phone 5 is a gaming-focused smartphone with Snapdragon 888 SoC ticking at its core. The phone from Taiwanese phonemaker will be available for sale in India starting April 15th. The handset is priced in India starting at Rs 49,999. ASUS ROG Phone 5 specifications also include 144Hz Samsung AMOLED display, 64MP Sony IMX686 sensor, and 65W fast charging. The phone is driven by a large 6,000mAh battery.



Software-wise, the phone runs Android 11-based ROG UI custom skin out of the box. On the gaming front, the ASUS ROG Phone 5 rocks GameCool 5, combined with the best components and PC-like control of the SoC, side-charging design, the latest AirTrigger 5 technology, dual front-facing speakers, multi-antenna Wi-Fi, and a quad-mic noise-cancelling array. The new AeroActive Cooler 5 offers two physical buttons for game input, a kickstand, and a fan that draws its power directly from the phone.

3. iQOO 7


iQOO 7 could be the cheapest Snapdragon 888 SoC phone in India. The company has teased the launch of the phone with a price tag under Rs 40,000 in the country. iQOO 7 was originally announced back in January in China. The phone’s specifications include a 6.62-inch AMOLED with FHD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and a center-mounted punch-hole. The handset also ships with triple rear cameras comprising a 48MP primary sensor, 4,000mAh battery, and a whopping 120W fast charging solution.

4. Vivo X60 Pro+

The Snapdragon 888 SoC phone from Vivo is scheduled to launch in India on March 25th. The handset was announced earlier this month. Vivo X60 Pro+ is likely to debut in the country with the flagship chipset, a 6.56-inch FHD+ AMOLED 120Hz display, 50MP quad32 rear cameras, 32MP selfie snapper, and a 4,200mAh battery with 55W fast charging. The handset will come pre-loaded with Android 11-based Funtouch 11.1 out of the box. The Vivo X60 Pro+ price in India is expected to be Rs 69,990 for the 12GB+256GB configuration.

5. Mi 11

Xiaomi’s Mi 11 is the first commercial smartphone to rock Snapdragon 888 SoC under the hood. The other specifications of the phone are also to be admired. The Mi 11 packs a 6.8-inch QHD+ AMOLED display that bears a 120Hz refresh rate. The Snapdragon 888 phone also highlights a triple camera setup at the back, which consists of a 108MP primary sensor paired with a 13MP (f/2.4 aperture) ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 5MP (f/2.4 aperture) telephoto-macro sensor. For selfies and video chats, the smartphone packs a 20MP snapper in the punch-hole setup on the front.



Mi 11 runs Android 11-based MIUI 12.5 out of the box and houses a 4,600mAh battery with 55W wired charging, 50W wireless charging, and 10W reverse wireless charging support. The phone is retailing in China at a starting price of around Rs 45,000. Mi 11 India launch is expected soon.

6. Realme GT

Realme flagship with Snapdragon 888 SoC has been launched globally. Dubbed as Realme GT, the phone’s India launch is expected soon. In addition to the flagship chipset, the handset also comes with 120Hz refresh rate AMOLED display, 64MP primary camera sensor, and Stainless Steel VC Cooling System. The smartphone packs a 4,500mAh battery and supports 65W fast charging.



Realme GT specs are also headlined by 5G, an in-display fingerprint sensor, stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, and Hi-Res audio.

7. Samsung Galaxy S21 series

Samsung Galaxy S21 series in the US rocks Snapdragon 888 chipset under the hood. The lineup, comprising Samsung Galaxy S21S21+, and S21 Ultra, in India and other markets highlights equivalent Exynos 2100 SoC. The Samsung Galaxy S21 series in India is priced starting at Rs 69,999, while the Snapdragon 888 variant is priced at $799 (~Rs 58,400) in the US.



Other Samsung Galaxy S21 series specifications include adaptive 120Hz refresh rate displays, up to 5,000mAh battery, up to 16GB RAM + 512GB storage, Gorilla Glass Victus, and an array of cameras comprising wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto sensors with up to 100x Space Zoom.