Snapdragon 8 Elite arrives with Linux support, potentially unlocking PC gaming on phones and tablets

Running full-fledged PC apps on phones and tablets could become a lot easier

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The big picture: Apple has spent years trying to steer PC software developers from x86 to Arm, and Qualcomm recently joined the effort. Meanwhile, recent Linux software developments have made translating Windows software easier than ever. The trends might converge in a new generation of Snapdragon-powered mobile devices that support Linux out of the box.

Qualcomm engineering director Trilok Soni recently confirmed that the company's Linux team published Linux kernel updates for the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. Qualcomm unveiled the SoC earlier this month, targeting a new generation of flagship phones and tablets supporting Android and Linux.

Vendors such as Asus, Honor, OnePlus, Samsung, and Xiaomi are expected to launch products powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite over the coming weeks. Linux compatibility will enable power users to run full-fledged PC applications on the devices, but doing so will likely require much tinkering. The possibilities will also depend on modders' willingness to develop tools to bridge mobile devices, Linux, and possibly Windows.

Arm Linux programs should run out of the box, but they might require a user interface that supports touch gestures and feel comfortable in mobile form factors. Furthermore, Arm Linux software is relatively sparse, so users will likely want to emulate x86 and Windows applications. Qualcomm's Linux kernel updates for the Snapdragon 8 Elite should make emulation easier than with prior chips like the 8 Gen 3.

Based on a 3nm process node, the Snapdragon 8 Elite features second-generation Oryon CPU prime cores running at 4.32GHz and performance cores that achieve 3.53GHz. The L2 cache has been increased to 24MB and the Hexagon NPU is 12 times as fast as its predecessor.

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Furthermore, the new Adreno GPU triples its predecessor's performance. 3DMark benchmarks show that the Adreno 830 can at least trade blows with AMD's 780M – the GPU that powers the Asus ROG Ally and other Windows-based handheld gaming PCs. Although PC emulation would degrade performance somewhat, mobile devices that run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite could theoretically run games and other applications with performance in the same ballpark as recent portable PCs and thin notebooks.

As Qualcomm's new flagship mobile processor reaches consumers and more real-world benchmarks emerge, a clearer picture of the possibilities should materialize. Additionally, the reliance on emulation depends on whether developers are convinced to support Android or Arm Linux, whether by Qualcomm, Samsung, or anyone else invested in those operating systems.