Qualcomm has made headlines again with the launch of its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, showcased during the Snapdragon Summit in Maui. With a bold range of claims, Qualcomm promises to deliver advanced features that can redefine the user experience in smartphones such as the Xiaomi 15 Series, including significant improvements in gaming at Malta betting sites, photography, and overall device performance.
During the event, Qualcomm demonstrated features like AI gaming upscaling, smarter AI companions, and cutting-edge photo editing capabilities, all of which aim to make smartphone use more efficient and enjoyable. These innovations are expected to enhance the visual experience, increase interactivity, and push the boundaries of what users can achieve with their devices.
AI Gaming Upscaling: From 1080p to 4K
One of the main highlights of the Snapdragon 8 Elite is its AI-powered upscaling for gaming, transforming 1080p games into 4K. Qualcomm claims that this upgrade provides a more refined and immersive visual experience, and in the demos shown, it seems to deliver on that promise. The lighting effects, especially on textures such as rocks and character models, stood out sharply and gave the impression of true 4K quality rather than upscaled 1080p.
This AI-based feature aims to enrich gaming experiences with significantly less strain on battery life, compared to rendering natively in 4K. While this technology isn’t entirely new to Qualcomm, the improvements showcased are impressive, making it a step in the right direction for mobile gaming.
AI Companions in Naraka: Bladepoint Mobile
Qualcomm also highlighted a feature involving AI companions for Naraka: Bladepoint Mobile. The Snapdragon 8 Elite utilises AI to allow players to interact with teammates using voice commands instead of relying on touch inputs. The AI can assist in-game actions such as reviving a character when things go wrong and offering hands-free support that may enhance user experience, especially in fast-paced gameplay.
The demonstration showed great promise. The AI teammates could follow the voice commands effectively, which offered a smooth gaming experience. This could be a great addition for users who enjoy strategic gameplay but want less manual input.
Photography Features: Segmentation and Pet Photography
AI Segmentation for Photography
The Snapdragon 8 Elite comes with an AI segmentation tool that separates elements within an image, allowing users to manipulate specific objects. This is ideal for those looking to edit their photos creatively. In the demo, elements such as chairs and lamps were isolated, making it possible to edit or move them individually. While the segmentation worked well in separating the image layers, it fell short in usability. The editing options were not fully functional, limiting the possibilities for creative adjustments.
Pet Photography Upscaling
Photographing pets can be a challenge as they move around unpredictably. Qualcomm has addressed this with a feature aimed at identifying the best shot from multiple rapid captures. The AI chooses the clearest shot and attempts to enhance it for a more defined result. In practice, the AI succeeded in selecting the best frame, but its enhancement capability was less effective. The supposed sharpening of the pet’s fur didn’t make a significant difference. It seems this feature will require further refinement to reach the desired level of quality.
Magic Keeper: A Take on Magic Eraser
Qualcomm introduced “Magic Keeper,” a feature similar to Google’s Magic Eraser. This tool identifies and keeps the subject of a photo, automatically removing others in the background. During the demo, Magic Keeper accurately detected the primary subject, but the generative The fill used to replace the removed parts looked unconvincing. This feature appears to still be in the development phase, and Qualcomm may need more work to match what competitors like Google offer in this area.
Video Editing: Object Removal Challenges
Video Object Eraser
Snapdragon 8 Elite also offers a “Video Object Eraser” that allows users to erase objects in 4K videos shot at 60 frames per second. The demo involved removing background trees from a video. While the objects were successfully erased, the background fill left behind lacked realism, resulting in a blurry and inconsistent output. It seems that the feature is still not ready for mainstream use and may take another couple of years before it becomes a reliable tool for smartphone videography.
AI Portrait Lighting: Not Quite There Yet
Another feature highlighted was AI Portrait Lighting, designed to change lighting conditions in real time during video recordings or live streams. The concept is ambitious—adjusting the light to improve visual quality without physical lighting equipment. Qualcomm’s demonstration showed how AI could transform dim or unbalanced lighting during a Zoom call or live video. However, the output was quite disappointing, with flickering lights and unrealistic transitions. This feature, while promising in theory, appears to be far from practical implementation.
| Feature | Claimed Benefit | Actual Performance |
|---|---|---|
| 4K Gaming Upscaling | AI renders 1080p to look like 4K | Excellent visuals, realistic lighting |
| AI Companions in Naraka | Voice-controlled AI teammates | Worked well, smooth commands |
| AI Segmentation for Photos | Isolate image elements for editing | Good segmentation, limited usability |
| Pet Photography Upscaling | Capture the best shot, enhance clarity | Shot selection worked, but poor enhancement |
| Magic Keeper | Remove unnecessary background elements | Detection good, generative fill lacking |
| Video Object Eraser | Remove objects from 4K video | Object removal worked, but bad fill quality |
| AI Portrait Lighting | Adjust lighting for live video | Unnatural, flickering lighting effects |
Key Takeaways
- Great Gaming Potential: The gaming-related features are the most impressive of Qualcomm’s new capabilities. The 4K upscaling and AI teammates in Naraka both performed admirably.
- Photography Tools Need Work: The AI segmentation and pet photography features both showed potential but were not fully usable yet. They are likely in early development stages and need significant fine-tuning.
- Video and Portrait Tools Fall Short: Video Object Eraser and AI Portrait Lighting both struggled with achieving a natural and professional output. These features seem at least a year or two away from being implemented effectively in consumer devices.
Where Qualcomm Can Improve
Qualcomm has introduced a range of innovative features with the Snapdragon 8 Elite, but not all are ready for everyday use. The most promising tools seem to be in gaming, where Qualcomm has showcased a genuinely compelling experience. However, many of the AI-powered photography and video tools still require considerable refinement.
The success of the Snapdragon 8 Elite ultimately relies on collaboration. Google or other partners may need to step in to refine tools such as the Magic Keeper or Video Object Eraser before they reach users’ hands. As of now, many of the exciting features showcased during the keynote are more like proofs of concept rather than ready-to-use capabilities.
FAQ
What is AI Gaming Upscaling on Snapdragon 8 Elite?
AI Gaming Upscaling transforms 1080p games into 4K using AI, providing better visuals without the need for native 4K rendering.
How does AI segmentation for photography work?
AI Segmentation separates elements within an image, allowing users to edit or move them individually, although editing options are still limited.
What is Magic Keeper and how effective is it?
Magic Keeper removes unwanted background elements while keeping the main subject in focus. The detection works well, but the generative fill is lacking in quality.
Can the Snapdragon 8 Elite remove objects from videos?
Yes, it has a Video Object Eraser for removing objects in 4K video. However, the background fill quality is currently poor and needs improvement.
Is AI Portrait Lighting ready for use?
AI Portrait Lighting can adjust the lighting in real time, but it currently delivers inconsistent results and is not yet suitable for professional use.
What features of the Snapdragon 8 Elite are most promising?
The gaming-related features, such as 4K upscaling and AI teammates in Naraka, are the most polished and promising aspects of the Snapdragon 8 Elite.
