Nothing Phone 3 to launch with Snapdragon 8s Gen 4

Key Takeaways:

New leaks suggest Nothing Phone 3 will use Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, not 8 Elite


The chipset lacks Qualcomm’s Oryon CPU cores


Users may see lower performance, no 8K video, and limited 5G


As the tech world waits for the official launch of Nothing Phone 3 on July 1, new leaks are raising eyebrows. 

Early reports had pointed to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset for the upcoming flagship. 

However, fresh leaks now suggest a possible shift to the slightly less powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor.

This change - f confirmed - could dampen expectations for flagship-level performance.

What the New Leak Reveals

According to News24 The latest information, surfaced via well-known industry tipsters, shows that the Nothing Phone 3 may pack the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 instead of the anticipated Snapdragon 8 Elite.

For those hoping for cutting-edge speeds, here’s the catch: the 8s Gen 4 does not feature Qualcomm’s new Oryon CPU cores, which power some of the fastest Android phones today.

Instead, it houses:

One Cortex-X4 core at 3.2 GHz


Three Cortex-A720 cores at 3 GHz


Two Cortex-A720 cores at 2.8 GHz

Two Cortex-A720 cores at 2 GHz

This setup marks an improvement over the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, but it’s likely to fall short of the Snapdragon 8 Elite in raw power.

GPU and Other Features

The chipset does bring some modern touches. It comes with an upgraded Adreno GPU featuring the same sliced architecture introduced in the Snapdragon 8 Elite.

Interestingly, the processor’s NPU is 44% faster than its predecessor - a boost for AI-driven photography and video processing.

For video lovers, the chip supports:

4K/30 fps low-light video with real-time segmentation


Advanced imaging features

However, it will likely miss out on:

8K video recording


4K at 120 fps slow motion


mmWave 5G

One small but handy addition: the chip includes support for Bluetooth 6.0 and Wi-Fi XPAN, which lets users stream audio directly over Wi-Fi for better quality.

What Does This Mean for Users?

At first glance, many might not notice - especially if day-to-day performance remains snappy.

But users looking for future-proof flagship features could feel the difference, particularly in areas like:


Advanced gaming


8K video capture


Global 5G support

Those who use their phones for content creation or heavy multitasking may find the Snapdragon 8 Elite better suited to their needs.

Why the Possible Downgrade?

It remains unclear why Nothing might choose the 8s Gen 4 over the Snapdragon 8 Elite. Industry analysts suggest possible reasons could include:


Cost considerations: Using the 8s Gen 4 could help Nothing price the device more competitively


Supply chain factors: Availability of Snapdragon 8 Elite chips remains limited this quarter

Oddly, official sources from Nothing have yet to confirm or deny the chipset decision. For now, fans will have to wait for the July 1 launch event.

Context from Industry Experts

According to a recent analysis by TechCrunch, "Qualcomm’s Oryon cores are key to unlocking true flagship-level performance. Skipping them places the 8s Gen 4 in a more mid-premium bracket."

Meanwhile, a report from Android Authority notes: "Nothing’s strategy might be aiming more at value and user experience, rather than chasing raw specs."

What Stands Out?

Perhaps the most surprising element here is the silence around this change. 

Despite several renders and leaks showing off the Phone 3’s sleek new design, Nothing has been quiet on the chipset front - an odd move given the company’s usual transparency.


Author: Michael B. Norris is a senior tech journalist with TrendingAlone. He covers smartphones, AI hardware, and the semiconductor industry.