Snapdragon 8 Elite vs Snapdragon 8s Gen 4: A Deep Dive into CPU, GPU, and Camera Performance
Snapdragon 8 Elite vs Snapdragon 8s Gen 4: A Deep Dive into CPU, GPU, and Camera Performance
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon lineup continues to dominate the mobile chipset market, and with the introduction of the Snapdragon 8 Elite and Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, the company is once again raising the bar for performance and efficiency. These two chips cater to different segments of the market, with the 8 Elite targeting flagship devices and the 8s Gen 4 aiming at more affordable high-end phones. In this blog post, we’ll break down how these two powerhouses compare in terms of CPU, GPU, and camera capabilities, helping you decide which one might suit your next smartphone upgrade.
CPU: Power vs Practicality
The CPU is the heart of any chipset, and Qualcomm has taken different approaches with these two. The Snapdragon 8 Elite is built with custom Oryon cores, a significant shift from traditional ARM designs. It features an octa-core setup with two prime cores clocked at a blazing 4.32GHz and six performance cores at 3.53GHz. This configuration delivers top-tier performance—up to 45% faster than its predecessor—making it ideal for power users who demand the best for multitasking, gaming, and AI-driven tasks.
On the other hand, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 sticks to a more conventional ARM-based Kryo CPU design. It’s also an octa-core chip, but with one Cortex-X4 prime core at 3.2GHz, three Cortex-A720 cores at 3.0GHz, two at 2.8GHz, and two at 2.0GHz. Qualcomm claims this setup offers 31% better performance and 39% improved power efficiency over the 8s Gen 3, striking a balance between power and practicality. While it doesn’t match the Elite’s raw horsepower, it’s more than capable for most everyday needs and targets devices in the $500–$800 range.
Verdict: The 8 Elite wins for sheer CPU power, but the 8s Gen 4 offers solid performance for less demanding users at a lower cost.
GPU: Gaming Glory or Budget Balance?
When it comes to graphics, the GPU is king, especially for gamers. The Snapdragon 8 Elite boasts the Adreno 830 GPU, which uses a “sliced architecture” with three slices for enhanced performance and efficiency. It delivers up to 40% better performance and power efficiency compared to its predecessor, supporting advanced features like real-time ray tracing, Game Super Resolution 2.0, and Unreal Engine 5.3 with Nanite. This makes it a dream for mobile gamers chasing console-quality visuals.
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, meanwhile, comes with the Adreno 825 GPU, featuring a two-slice design. It’s a step up from the 8s Gen 3, offering a 49% boost in graphics performance, along with ray tracing and Game Super Resolution 2.0. However, it lacks the full Unreal Engine 5.3 support and the extra slice of the Elite’s GPU, meaning it falls short in peak graphical prowess. Still, it’s a strong contender for casual and mid-tier gaming.
Verdict: The 8 Elite is the clear choice for hardcore gamers, while the 8s Gen 4 holds its own for budget-conscious players.
Camera: Flagship Flair vs Mid-Range Mastery
Camera performance is a big deal for smartphone buyers, and both chips bring impressive imaging capabilities to the table. The Snapdragon 8 Elite features a triple 18-bit AI ISP, supporting up to 320MP single cameras and limitless real-time segmentation. This allows for advanced photo editing, object recognition, and video processing, alongside 8K HDR video at 60fps and 1080p slow-motion at 240fps. It’s designed for flagship phones aiming to push photography boundaries.
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 also sports a triple 18-bit ISP, with support for 320MP cameras and 4K video at 60fps. It doubles slow-motion recording to 1080p at 480fps and adds AI-driven features like Night Vision 2.0 and real-time sky/skin tone correction. While it can segment up to 250 layers in real-time (a huge leap from the 12 layers of the 8s Gen 3), it doesn’t match the Elite’s limitless segmentation or 8K HDR capabilities. Still, it’s a powerhouse for its price tier.
Verdict: The 8 Elite edges out for pro-level camera features, but the 8s Gen 4 delivers excellent imaging for less.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite vs 8s Gen 4
| Spec | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 |
| Architecture | 3nm | 4nm |
| CPU Core Configuration | – Custom Oryon CPU @ up to 4.47GHz – 64-bit architecture | – Kryo CPU – 64-bit architecture– Clock speed up to 3.2GHz |
| GPU | Adreno 830 | Adreno 825 |
| NPU (AI Engine) | – Hexagon NPU – Supports INT4, INT8, INT16, FP16 – On-device personalization, fused AI, Micro Tile Inferencing | – Hexagon NPU – Supports INT4, INT8 – 2x larger shared memory for bandwidth boosts |
| Memory Type | LPDDR5X @ 5.3GHz | LPDDR5X @ 4800 MHz |
| Modem | Snapdragon X80 5G Modem-RF System – Up to 10 Gbps download – 3.5 Gbps upload – 8-carrier mmWave, 4×6 MIMO Sub-6 | Snapdragon 5G Modem-RF System – Up to 4.2 Gbps download – Likely 3.5 Gbps upload – 4×4 MIMO Sub-6 |
| Connectivity | – Wi-Fi 7 (FastConnect 7900) – Bluetooth 6.0 – UWB – AI-optimized Wi-Fi, XPAN, HBS Multi-Link | – Wi-Fi 7 (FastConnect platform) – Bluetooth 6.0 – UWB – XPAN, HBS Multi-Link |
| ISP | Spectra 18-bit Triple AI ISP – Real-time AI Relighting – Ultra Low-Light video – Truepic capture with C2PA – Video Object Eraser | Spectra 18-bit Triple AI ISP – Night Vision 2.0 (4K@30fps) – Real-time skin/sky tone correction – Always-sensing camera |
| Display Support | Up to QHD+ @ 240Hz (on-device) 8K @ 30Hz (external) HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 10-bit Rec. 2020 | Up to WQHD+ @ 144Hz (on-device) 4K @ 60Hz (external) HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 10-bit Rec. 2020 |
| Video Playback | 8K @ 60fps Supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, AV1, H.265 | 8K @ 60fps Supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, AV1, H.265 |
| Camera Support | – Up to 320MP single camera – 48+48+48 MP triple (ZSL) – 8K video capture @ 30fps – Video Super Resolution | – Up to 320MP single camera – 36 MP triple (ZSL) – 4K video capture @ 60fps – Motion Compensated Temporal Filtering |
| Charging | Quick Charge 5 | Quick Charge 5 |
| Security | – Qualcomm SPU – 3D Sonic Sensor Max – Face, Fingerprint, Iris, Voice – Type-1 Hypervisor | – Qualcomm TEE – 3D Sonic Sensor Max – Face & Fingerprint – Type-1 Hypervisor |
| Storage | UFS 4.0 | UFS 4.0 |
| USB | USB 3.1 Gen2 (USB-C) | USB 3.1 Gen2 (USB-C) |
Final Thoughts: Which Chip is Right for You?
The Snapdragon 8 Elite and 8s Gen 4 are both stellar chips, but they serve different purposes. The 8 Elite is Qualcomm’s flagship titan, built for premium devices where performance is non-negotiable—think cutting-edge gaming, AI, and photography. The 8s Gen 4, however, is a smart compromise, bringing near-flagship experiences to more affordable phones without breaking the bank.
If you’re a tech enthusiast or gamer willing to splurge, the 8 Elite is your go-to. But if you want great performance at a better value, the 8s Gen 4 won’t disappoint. Either way, Qualcomm’s latest offerings prove why they’re still at the top of the mobile chipset game in 2025. Which one are you leaning toward for your next phone? Let me know in the comments!
- Also Read: Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 vs Snapdragon 8s Gen 3: What’s Actually Different?
