Disappointment! Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 doesn't support this great Android 16 feature

A month ago, Qualcomm introduced the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the fastest mobile chipset for Android phones. It crushes the competition in benchmarks and promises performance comparable to laptops. However, it has just come to light that this super-processor does not support one of the most interesting features of Android 16 – Linux Terminal. And the reason? Qualcomm simply isn’t interested.

What is Linux Terminal and why is it important?

Linux Terminal is a new Android 16 feature that allows you to run full-fledged desktop applications directly on Android devices. You can install, for example, GIMP (a graphics editor), LibreOffice (an office suite), or even developer tools for programming Android applications on your phone or tablet.

With this feature, Google primarily targets developers and power users who want to get more out of Android than just regular mobile applications. Thanks to Linux Terminal, you can theoretically replace a laptop with a tablet with an attachable keyboard – just like Samsung promises with its DeX, but with much broader software support.

Why doesn’t Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 support Linux Terminal?

The technical reason is quite clear. Linux Terminal requires two prerequisites:

1. Android Virtualization Framework (AVF) – software for creating virtual devices
2. Support for “non-protected” virtual devices – i.e., those whose memory can be accessed by the main system

Most modern chipsets, including those from Qualcomm, meet the first condition. However, the second condition is the stumbling block. Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 only supports “protected” virtual devices, meaning those whose memory is isolated from the main system. While this is more secure (which is why Qualcomm chose this architecture), it prevents Linux Terminal from running.

Paradoxically, this means that Snapdragon 8 Elite supports more secure features like Play Protect Live Threat Detection (real-time malware scanning), but not the less secure Linux Terminal.

Qualcomm’s Competition Supports Linux Terminal

What makes the situation even more absurd is the fact that all of Qualcomm’s main competitors support Linux Terminal:

• Google Tensor G1 and newer – Pixel 6 and all newer Pixels
• MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ – for example, Xiaomi 15T Pro
• Samsung Exynos 2500 – Galaxy Z Flip7

The result is a bizarre situation where cheaper phones with MediaTek have a feature that more expensive Snapdragon flagships do not. It’s even worse with Samsung – the Galaxy Z Flip7 with Exynos supports Linux Terminal, while the Galaxy Z Fold7 with Snapdragon does not. And yet, the Fold is a more expensive, more powerful, and more suitable device for such purposes.

What does Qualcomm say about this?

Android Authority reached out to Qualcomm with a question about why it doesn’t support “non-protected” virtual devices and whether it plans to add support. The company’s response was… diplomatic:

Translated into plain English: “We won’t add it until someone forces us to.” Qualcomm simply isn’t interested in investing in a feature that it believes customers don’t want. The problem is that customers are only just learning about this feature now – it’s hard for demand to arise for something that doesn’t exist.

Why is this a problem?

At first glance, it might seem like a niche feature for a small group of geeks. However, Linux Terminal could change the way we use Android phones. Imagine these scenarios:

• Android app development on Android – programmers could write code directly on a tablet with a keyboard
• Professional graphics – GIMP offers features that mobile editors lack
• Gaming – Google hints at the possibility of running games via Terminal

Snapdragon phones, in particular, have enough power for these tasks – but due to Qualcomm’s decision, they simply won’t be able to utilize it.

Is this a big problem? Probably not for most users. 99% of people will never launch Linux Terminal – it’s a feature for tech-savvy users, developers, and power users. But these are precisely the people who often buy flagship Snapdragon phones because they want maximum performance.

We’ll see if Qualcomm changes its mind. For now, however, if you want to get the most out of Android and are interested in Linux Terminal, avoid Snapdragon phones.

Will you use Terminal in Android 16?

Source: Android Authority