# Qualcomm's new chips put AI at the heart of smartphones

> Qualcomm unveiled two flagship processors designed to run advanced AI models directly on phones, challenging the need for separate AI devices.
- Title: Qualcomm's new chips put AI at the heart of smartphones
- Summary: Qualcomm unveiled two flagship processors designed to run advanced AI models directly on phones, challenging the need for separate AI devices. Smartphones…
- Keywords: qualcomm, snapdragon 8 elite gen 6, snapdragon 8 elite extreme gen 6, ai chips, smartphone processors, on-device ai, mixture-of-experts models, motorola signature 27, ai agents, mobile ai, technology, startups
- Source: TechCrunch — https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/22/qualcomm-launches-two-new-smartphone-chips-with-emphasis-on-ai
- Author: Ivan Mehta
- Published: 2026-09-22T20:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: qualcomm, snapdragon 8 elite gen 6, snapdragon 8 elite extreme gen 6, ai chips, smartphone processors, on-device ai, mixture-of-experts models, motorola signature 27, ai agents, mobile ai, technology, startups
## Qualcomm launches AI-focused chips
Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 at its annual summit, designed to run advanced AI models directly on smartphones.
## New sensing hub enables local AI agents
The chips feature sensing hubs that run AI models up to 200 million parameters, enabling personal scribes, speaker differentiation, and voice-in voice-out agents entirely on the phone.
## Extreme version handles 30-billion-parameter models
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme can run a 30-billion-parameter mixture-of-experts model locally, outpacing Apple's 20-billion-parameter model released at WWDC in June.
## Professional video and audio features
Both chips enable 8K 60fps and 4K 240fps video recording with the new Advanced Professional Video codec, plus AI-powered noise reduction and voice isolation for calls.
## Motorola launches first Extreme-powered phone
Motorola announced the Motorola Signature 27 smartphone powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6, arriving later this year.
## Phones replacing dedicated AI devices
Industry leaders including Nothing's Carl Pei and Apple's new CEO John Ternus have signaled that smartphones will be the primary AI device, not specialized hardware.
## Key takeaway

Smartphones are becoming the primary AI device, with Qualcomm's new chips enabling complex AI tasks like personal assistants and professional video editing to run locally on handsets.