Agentic AI Won’t Be Limited To Premium Phones, Confirms Christopher Patrick Of Qualcomm
Last week Qualcomm showcased its most powerful mobile chip -- the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. The new processor comes with built-in support for Agentic AI assistants and the ability to record videos in the new Advanced
Professional Video (APV) codec. In a closed-door media discussion, Christopher Patrick, SVP and General Manager of Handsets at Qualcomm, spoke about the company’s plans and explained how the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is built to take mobile performance to the next level.The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is the first mobile chip to bring Agentic AI to phones.
What Is Agentic AI?
Unlike the current form of AI that only replies when you ask something, Agentic AI can think ahead, plan and take action on its own. For example, instead of just showing you flight options, it can actually book tickets, reserve hotels and even manage cancellations automatically.To deliver this, Qualcomm has added a new Neural Processing Unit (NPU) and Sensing Hub to the chip. The NPU is 37 per cent faster than the previous version, which means more advanced AI models can run directly on your phone. With on-device learning, the AI can adapt to your daily habits and give personalised suggestions.
Agentic AI Won’t Be Limited To Premium Phones
As the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is the premium chip supporting Agentic AI, Times Now Tech asked if this feature will be limited to premium chipsets or if the company plans to bring it to budget and mid-premium chips in the near future. Patrick replied, "Absolutely. AI, in general, will spread across the entire world. The constraints will be different in mid-tier phones, but even there, we’re showing some pretty interesting agentic AI experiences."
If there’s one area where Patrick believes the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 makes the biggest leap, it’s gaming performance. "That’s definitely one of the things we’re most proud of on this platform. But there’s a lot more. Whatever way you want to use the platform, there’s something great for you," he said. Beyond gaming, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is the world’s first chip to record in the Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec. Combined with its AI-powered camera features, this enables studio-grade video recording and more flexibility in post-production. According to Qualcomm, if you’re a camera enthusiast, this is going to blow you away. Even in tough lighting conditions, you’ll get professional-quality results.Patrick also said the new platform will make everyday use better. Users can expect faster multitasking, smoother app switching, and longer battery life thanks to improved power management. He added that Qualcomm wants Snapdragon to be an all-purpose tool that works well for everyone. Whether you are a gamer, content creator or someone who uses your phone for work.Qualcomm also confirmed that several leading smartphone brands including Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Oppo, Vivo, and iQOO -- will adopt the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in their upcoming flagship models.
