Back in 2020, leaked information about the Qualcomm Snapdragon 875 created a lot of buzz in the mobile world. The chipset was expected to be built on a 5nm process with the X60 5G modem and Adreno 660 GPU. But here is what actually happened: Qualcomm never released a chip called the Snapdragon 875. Instead, it launched as the Snapdragon 888 in December 2020, skipping the 875 name entirely.
This was a surprising move from Qualcomm. The company decided to rebrand its flagship chipset to mark a new generation. The Snapdragon 888 (codenamed SM8350, matching the leaked SM8350 for the 875) was built on Samsung’s 5nm process and delivered significant improvements over the Snapdragon 865.
What the Leak Got Right
Many of the original leaked specifications turned out to be accurate. The Kryo 685 CPU cores, the Adreno 660 GPU, and the Spectra 580 image signal processor all made it into the final Snapdragon 888. The chip also supported millimeter wave (mmWave) and sub-6 GHz 5G bands, just as the leak predicted.
The X60 5G modem was indeed integrated into the Snapdragon 888, unlike the previous generation where the Snapdragon 865 required a separate X55 modem. This integration improved power efficiency and saved space inside phones.
Snapdragon 888 Full Specifications
- CPU: Kryo 680 (1x Cortex-X1 at 2.84 GHz, 3x Cortex-A78 at 2.42 GHz, 4x Cortex-A55 at 1.8 GHz)
- GPU: Adreno 660
- Process: 5nm (Samsung)
- Modem: Integrated X60 5G (mmWave + sub-6 GHz)
- ISP: Spectra 580 (triple ISP, 2.7 gigapixels per second)
- Memory: LPDDR5 support up to 3200 MHz
- Charging: Quick Charge 5 (0-50% in 15 minutes)
Performance in the Real World
The Snapdragon 888 powered many flagship phones in 2021 including the Samsung Galaxy S21 series, OnePlus 9, Xiaomi Mi 11, and ASUS ROG Phone 5. It delivered roughly 25% better CPU performance and 35% better GPU performance compared to the Snapdragon 865.
Gaming performance was excellent. Phones with the Snapdragon 888 could easily run demanding titles and support 144Hz mobile gaming without breaking a sweat. The improved ISP also meant better camera processing with support for simultaneous triple camera capture.
How It Compares to 2026 Flagships
Qualcomm has moved on significantly since the 888 era. The company rebranded its naming scheme to Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (2022), 8 Gen 2 (2023), 8 Gen 3 (2024), and now the 8 Gen 4 in 2026. Each generation has brought major gains in AI processing, ray tracing support, and power efficiency.
The current Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 uses an Oryon CPU design (custom cores instead of standard Arm Cortex), a much more powerful Adreno GPU with hardware ray tracing, and a 3nm process. It is roughly 3x faster than the Snapdragon 888 in multi-core workloads. For a comparison with the competition, check out our MediaTek Helio G Series Guide.
Was the Snapdragon 875 Real?
There is no evidence that Qualcomm ever internally called this chip the Snapdragon 875. The SM8350 codename matched, but the final retail name was Snapdragon 888. The leak was mostly correct on specifications but wrong on the naming. This happens often in the semiconductor world where codenames and marketing names differ.
If you are looking to build a budget gaming setup, the Snapdragon 888 phones are now available at very affordable prices and still offer solid gaming performance for most titles. They are a great option for anyone who does not need the absolute latest flagship.
Final Verdict
The Snapdragon 875 leak from 2020 was a genuine look at what would become the Snapdragon 888. While the name changed, the core specifications were accurate. Looking back, the Snapdragon 888 was a solid chip that marked Qualcomm’s transition to a new naming era and the beginning of the integrated 5G modem standard across its flagship lineup.
