Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: Ultimate Chipset Comparison
Introduction to Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chipsets power the best Android smartphones, delivering top-tier performance and efficiency. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, launched in April 2025, targets sub-premium devices, while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, released in October 2023, is a flagship powerhouse. This Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 comparison dives into their benchmark performance, architectural differences, and real-world implications to help you choose the right smartphone in 2025.
Benchmark Performance: Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Benchmarks reveal how chipsets handle CPU, GPU, memory, and user experience (UX) tasks. we tested the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 on the Redmi Turbo 4 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 on the Poco f7 Pro.
AnTuTu Benchmark Results
AnTuTu measures overall performance across CPU, GPU, memory, and UX. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 scores 2,050,881, slightly outperforming the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s 2,027,831. Here’s the breakdown:
CPU: 8s Gen 4 (460,339) beats 8 Gen 3 (415,769), excelling in app execution and multitasking.
GPU: The Adreno 825 in the 8s Gen 4 (852,942) outperforms the Adreno 750 in the 8 Gen 3 (820,344), ideal for gaming.
Memory: 8s Gen 4 (410,236) edges out 8 Gen 3 (399,910) for faster RAM/storage performance.
UX: 8 Gen 3 (391,808) surpasses 8s Gen 4 (327,364), ensuring smoother UI interactions.
The 8s Gen 4 excels in raw power, making it a top choice for gaming smartphones, while the 8 Gen 3 offers a polished user experience.
Geekbench Benchmark Results
Geekbench tests CPU performance. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 leads in single-core performance (2,213 vs. 2,041), ideal for app launches and UI responsiveness. However, the 8s Gen 4 shines in multi-core performance (6,833 vs. 6,652), perfect for multitasking and heavy workloads.
Real-World Performance Implications
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4’s benchmark edge makes it ideal for gaming and video editing, while the 8 Gen 3’s UX and single-core strengths ensure a snappy daily experience. For most users, the Qualcomm Snapdragon comparison shows minimal real-world differences, but the 8 Gen 3 feels smoother for casual tasks.
Architectural Differences: Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Both chipsets use TSMC’s 4nm process and ARMv9.2-A, but their core designs and features differ.
CPU Architecture
Snapdragon 8s Gen 4: Features a 1+7 core design (1x Cortex-X4 at 3.21 GHz, 7x Cortex-A720 at 3.0/2.8/2.02 GHz). Skipping efficiency cores, it prioritizes multitasking performance.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: Uses a 1+5+2 core configuration (1x Cortex-X4 at 3.3 GHz, 5x Cortex-A720 at 3.2/3.0 GHz, 2x Cortex-A520 at 2.3 GHz), balancing power and battery efficiency.
The 8s Gen 4 is a multitasking beast, while the 8 Gen 3 saves power during light tasks.
GPU Architecture
Snapdragon 8s Gen 4: The Adreno 825 GPU delivers higher frequencies and more shading units, excelling in gaming performance with ray tracing and Global Illumination.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: The Adreno 750 GPU supports Snapdragon Elite Gaming and ray tracing but trails slightly in benchmarks.
AI and Connectivity
The 8 Gen 3’s Hexagon NPU offers better AI performance for tasks like generative AI. Its Snapdragon X75 modem (10 Gbps) outpaces the 8s Gen 4’s X70 modem (6.5 Gbps). Both support Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.
Camera and Imaging
The 8 Gen 3 supports 8K HDR video at 30 FPS and AI features like Truepic and video object eraser, ideal for photography. The 8s Gen 4 handles 4K HDR at 60 FPS but lacks advanced AI camera features.
Real-World Implications for Smartphone Users
Gaming and Performance
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4’s Adreno 825 GPU ensures smoother gameplay in titles like Genshin Impact. The 8 Gen 3 offers a responsive UI, ideal for casual users.
Battery Life and Efficiency
The 8 Gen 3’s efficiency cores enhance battery life for browsing or streaming. The 8s Gen 4 prioritizes power, potentially consuming more energy under load.
Photography and Videography
The 8 Gen 3 is better for content creators, with 8K video and AI-enhanced photography. The 8s Gen 4 is great for casual photography but lacks advanced features.
Connectivity and Future-Proofing
The 8 Gen 3’s X75 modem ensures faster 5G speeds, making it more future-proof. Both chips support Wi-Fi 7 for robust connectivity.
Pricing and Device Availability
The 8s Gen 4 powers sub-premium devices ($400–$600), like the Redmi Turbo 4, while the 8 Gen 3 drives flagships ($800+), like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Budget-conscious buyers will prefer the 8s Gen 4.
Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
| Â | Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | April 2025 | October 2023 |
| Manufacturing | 4nm (TSMC) | 4nm (TSMC) |
| CPU | 1 x 3.21 GHz — Cortex-X3 3 x 3 GHz — Cortex-A720 2 x 2.8 GHz — Cortex-A720 2 x 2.02 GHz — Cortex-A720 | 1 x 3.3 GHz — Cortex-X3 3 x 3.15 GHz — Cortex-A720 2 x 2.96 GHz — Cortex-A720 2 x 2.27GHz — Cortex-A520 |
| GPU | Adreno 825 GPU Ray tracing support Snapdragon Elite Gaming features | Adreno 750 GPU Ray tracing support Snapdragon Elite Gaming features |
| NPU | Qualcomm Hexagon NPU | Qualcomm Hexagon NPU |
| Storage/Memory | UFS 4.0 LPDDR5x, up to 4.8GHz | UFS 4.0 LPDDR5x, up to 4.8GHz |
| Camera | Spectra triple 18-bit AI ISP Up to 320MP single camera Up to 108MP single camera with ZSL Up to 36+36+36MP triple cameras with ZSL Real-time semantic segmentation (up to 250 layers) Up to 4K/60fps video recording | Spectra Cognitive triple 18-bit ISP Up to 200MP single camera Up to 108MP single camera with ZSL Up to 64+36MP dual cameras with ZSL Up to 36+36+36MP triple cameras with ZSL Real-time semantic segmentation (up to 12 layers) Up to 8K/30fps video recording |
| Connectivity | Snapdragon 5G modem Download: 4.2Gbps (maximum) Wi-Fi 7 (peak speed: 5.8Gbps) Bluetooth 6.0 | Snapdragon X75 5G modem Download: 10Gbps (maximum) Wi-Fi 7 (peak speed: 5.8Gbps) Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Display | On-device: WQHD+ @ 144Hz, QHD+ @ 144Hz External: 4K UHD @ 60Hz 10-bit color depth Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HDR Vivid | On-device: 4K Ultra HD @ 60Hz, QHD+ @ 144Hz External: 8K @ 30Hz 10-bit color depth HDR10, HDR10+, HDR Vivid |
| Charging | Qualcomm Quick Charge 5 | Qualcomm Quick Charge 5 |
Conclusion: Which Chipset Should You Choose?
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 debate depends on your needs:
Choose Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 for gaming, multitasking, and affordable smartphones.
Choose Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for photography, smooth UI, and future-proof connectivity.
Both chipsets deliver flagship-level performance, but the 8s Gen 4 offers incredible value, while the 8 Gen 3 caters to premium users.
