The flagship 'power war' is on: New Snapdragon chips are set to change how your next phone performs.

Both, Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 processor and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 SoC claim to enhance agentic AI, camera capabilities, battery, gaming and thermal performance of the flagship smartphones

iQOO 16 and Motorola Signature 27 will run on the newly announced Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 processor, while the Xiaomi 18 Pro will ship with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 SoC, announced company representatives at the 10th edition of India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026 in New Delhi on Friday (October 9, 2026).

Both, Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 processor and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 SoC claim to enhance agentic AI, camera capabilities, battery, gaming and thermal performance of the flagship smartphones. The phones carrying these new processors are expected to launch by the end of this year in India.

"With iQOO 16, we are among the first brands to bring the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 Mobile Platform to users. As smartphones become an increasingly important part of how we work, create and connect, we will continue to focus on innovation that delivers real value and keeps the Quest moving forward," said Nipun Marya, CEO, iQOO.

"As one of the world's first smartphones powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 platform, the Motorola Signature 27 showcases how breakthrough AI experiences, professional-grade imaging, iconic design, and immersive entertainment can come together to create a truly differentiated flagship experience. Together with Qualcomm Technologies, Motorola remains committed to shaping a future where smartphones evolve from connected devices into truly intelligent companions," said Shivam Ranjan, Head of Marketing, APAC, Motorola.

Motorola Signature 27 will have a 50 MP Sony Lytia 910 main sensor, and a 200 MP periscope telephoto lens. It will have audio tuned by Bang & Olufsen. It will ship with Android 17 and will come with 7 years of operating system upgrades and 7 years of software updates .It will come in Pantone Coal Smoke and Capulet Olive shades.

"With the Xiaomi 18 Pro, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, we are taking that experience further, combining exceptional performance with innovations such as its distinctive back display. Together, these advancements push the boundaries of what a flagship can deliver, setting new performance benchmarks while reimagining how consumers experience and interact with their smartphone," said Gautam Batra, Associate Director, Product Marketing, Xiaomi India.