Snapdragon 888 SoC-powered phones have started arriving in 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 look at them in this article. But, before we get down to Snapdragon 888 phones list, here’s everything you need to know about the latest chipset from Qualcomm that delivers a big step up in graphical capabilities, photography, machine learning, and more.
Table of Contents
Snapdragon 888 SoC features
Snapdragon 888 SoC, which will power flagship Android phones in 2021, is 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 provide 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 is rated to deliver up to three 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 is a first in the series with triple image signal processing. It is 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 the same time. There is a new low-light architecture as well that is claimed to help capture brighter photos, even in near-darkness.
Snapdragon 888 phones
1. iQOO 7 Legend
iQOO 7 Legend is the cheapest Snapdragon 888 SoC phone in India yet. The smartphone has been priced at Rs 39,990 for the 8GB+128GB model and Rs 43,990 for the 12GB+256GB version. The iQOO 7 Legend specifications include a 6.62-inch FHD+ AMOLED display, with 1300nits brightness, HDR10+, and 120Hz refresh rate. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC and houses a 4,000mAh battery with 66W fast-charging support. There is an in-display fingerprint scanner for security. Software-wise, the iQOO 7 Legend runs Android 11-based Funtouch OS 11.1 UI custom skin.
For photography, the handset sports a triple camera setup at the back, with a 48MP Sony IMX598 primary sensor. This is paired with a 13MP ultra-wide-angle lens with 120-degree FoV, and a 13MP depth sensor for portrait shots. Up front, it rocks a 16MP selfie snapper for selfies and video calling.
2. Mi 11 Ultra
Mi 11 Ultra (review) is Xiaomi’s flagship phone with Snapdragon 888 SoC ticking at its core. The smartphone’s specifications are also headlined by 120Hz QHD+ 6.81-inch E4 AMOLED primary display, a 1.1-inch secondary display around the back, and a 50MP triple camera setup at the back with a 48MP ultrawide sensor and a 48MP telephoto lens that bears an outstanding 5x optical zoom. At the front, there is a 20MP selfie camera in the punch-hole setup.
The Snapdragon 888 phone comes preloaded with Android 11-based MIUI 12 out of the box. The handset is driven by a 5,000mAh battery, which is backed by 67W wired and wireless charging that is rated to juice up the device from zero to 100 percent in just 36 minutes. The Mi 11 Ultra also features an in-display fingerprint scanner, stereo speakers, IR blaster, X-axis Linear Haptics, IP68 water and dust resistance, and in-display heart rate monitoring. The Xiaomi mobile phone is priced in India starting at Rs 69,999.
3. Vivo X60 Pro+
The Snapdragon 888 SoC phone from Vivo was introduced in India back in March. The Vivo X60 Pro+ (review) ships with the flagship chipset, a 6.56-inch FHD+ AMOLED 120Hz display, 50MP quad rear cameras, 32MP selfie snapper, and a 4,200mAh battery with 55W fast charging. The phone runs on Android 11-based Funtouch OS 11.1 out of the box and packs a 4,200mAh battery with 55W fast-charging support.
The Vivo X60 Pro+ comes with an in-display fingerprint sensor. Connectivity features include 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS, and USB Type-C port. The Vivo X60 Pro+ price in India is set at Rs 69,990 for the sole 12GB RAM + 256GB storage option.
4. 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.
5. ASUS ROG Phone 5
ASUS ROG Phone 5 is a gaming-focused smartphone with Snapdragon 888 SoC ticking at its core. The phone from the 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 a 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.
6. ASUS ZenFone 8 and ZenFone 8 Flip
The ASUS ZenFone 8 and ZenFone 8 Flip have been launched globally with Snapdragon 888 SoC. There have been reports that handsets may launch in India as 8Z and 8Z Flip respectively. ASUS ZenFone 8 or 8Z specs comprise a 5.9-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with an HDR10 and 120Hz refresh rate. The phone boots Android 11-based ZenUI 8 custom skin on top and packs a 4,000mAh battery with 30W fast-charging support. In optics, it has a dual-camera setup, with a 64MP Sony IMX686 primary sensor and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle sensor with f/2.2 aperture and 4cm macro mode. The handset sports a 12MP front camera for selfies and video chats.
The ASUS ZenFone 8 Flip or 8Z Flip flaunts a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED 120Hz display, a 5,000mAh battery with 30W fast charging support, and a triple flip camera setup, consisting of a 64MP + 12MP ultra-wide-angle sensor + an 8MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom and up to 12x digital zoom, at the back. Thanks to the flip mechanism, the rear cameras also function as front cameras for selfies and video calling.
7. 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.
8. Samsung Galaxy S21 series
Samsung Galaxy S21 series in the US rocks Snapdragon 888 chipset under the hood. The lineup, comprising Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, 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.
