Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 vs Dimensity 9400e: Which Chip is Best for Your Next Phone?
Choosing a new smartphone often feels complicated, but it usually comes down to one key part: the brain, or processor chip. We’re looking at two exciting new chips that offer top-tier power without the usual top-tier price: the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 and the MediaTek Dimensity 9400e. Both promise incredible speed, smart AI features, and super-fast connections. But if you want the best performance for your needs, which one should you look for? Let’s break it down easily.
Quick Look: Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 vs Dimensity 9400e Specs
Both the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 and Dimensity 9400e are built using a modern 4nm process (think of it as how tiny and efficient the parts are). They also use similar core technologies. However, how they’re put together on the inside makes them behave a bit differently.
Feature | Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 | Dimensity 9400e |
Release Date | April 2025 | May 2025 |
Made With | 4nm (TSMC) | 4nm (TSMC) |
Main Processing Units (CPU) | 1 Super-fast Core, 7 Fast Cores | 4 Super-fast Cores, 4 Fast Cores |
Graphics (GPU) | Adreno 825 (Great for gaming, Ray Tracing) | Mali-G720 Immortalis MP12 (Good for gaming, Ray Tracing) |
AI Processing (NPU) | Qualcomm Hexagon NPU | MediaTek NPU 790 |
Storage/Memory | Latest and Fastest (UFS 4.0, LPDDR5x up to 4.8GHz) | Latest (UFS 4.0, LPDDR5x up to 4.2GHz) |
Camera Support | Up to 320MP photos, 4K video, smart photo features | Up to 320MP photos, 8K video, smart photo features |
Internet Speed (Connectivity) | 5G (up to 4.2Gbps downloads), Wi-Fi 7 (up to 5.8Gbps) | 5G (up to 7Gbps downloads), Wi-Fi 7 (up to 7.3Gbps) |
Performance Showdown: The Benchmark Numbers
To see how these chips really perform, we put them through special tests called “benchmarks.” We used phones like the POCO F7 (with Snapdragon) and Realme GT 7 (with Dimensity) for these tests.
AnTuTu Test: Overall Phone Power
The Dimensity 9400e slightly wins in the overall AnTuTu score, but it’s a tiny difference (less than 1%). However, looking closer shows where each chip is truly strong.
Part of Test | Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 | Dimensity 9400e |
Total Score | 2,105,193 | 2,123,428 |
CPU (Brain Power) | 459,324 | 502,983 |
GPU (Graphics Power) | 884,677 | 855,871 |
CPU Power: The Dimensity 9400e clearly leads here, scoring about 9.5% higher. This means apps open faster, you can switch between tasks more smoothly, and demanding apps run better.
GPU Power: The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is better at graphics, with about 3.4% higher scores. This could give you slightly smoother gameplay in graphic-heavy games.
Geekbench Test: Raw Brain Muscle
Geekbench checks the raw power of the main processor (CPU). Here, the Dimensity 9400e beats the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 in both single-core (doing one task at a time) and multi-core (doing many tasks at once) tests.
Part of Test | Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 | Dimensity 9400e |
Single Core | 2,074 | 2,208 |
Multi Core | 6,651 | 7,310 |
The Dimensity 9400e shows roughly a 6.4% lead for single tasks and a significant 9.9% lead for many tasks at once. These results confirm that the Dimensity chip is great for heavy work and multitasking.
Digging Deeper: What Else Matters?
CPU, Graphics (GPU), & AI (NPU)
The Dimensity 9400e uses more of the “super-fast” cores (Cortex-X4), which gives it an edge in general computing tasks. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 has a different mix of cores.
For games, the Snapdragon’s Adreno 825 graphics chip often provides a more consistent and smooth gaming experience. Both chips have special AI parts (NPUs). Snapdragon’s Hexagon NPU is said to be 44% faster, while MediaTek’s NPU 790 is specifically good for new Generative AI features and understanding complex language models.
Camera and Videos
Both chips can handle huge 320-megapixel cameras and smart features that enhance your photos and videos. However, the Dimensity 9400e stands out because it supports 8K video recording, while the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 goes up to 4K. If you shoot a lot of high-quality videos, this is something to consider.
Internet Speed
When it comes to internet connections, the Dimensity 9400e offers faster speeds, with up to 7 Gigabits per second (Gbps) on 5G and 7.3 Gbps over Wi-Fi 7. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is also very fast, offering 4.2 Gbps on 5G and 5.8 Gbps on Wi-Fi 7. If you always want the quickest downloads, Dimensity might be a bit faster.
So, Which Chip is Best for You?
Both the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 and Dimensity 9400e are fantastic chips that bring top-tier performance to your phone. Your choice depends on what you do most with your device:
Choose the Dimensity 9400e if: You’re a heavy user who needs maximum raw power for demanding apps, lots of multitasking, and the very fastest internet speeds.
Choose the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 if: You’re a mobile gamer or a content creator who prioritizes super smooth graphics performance and benefits from Qualcomm’s excellent camera and AI software.
Ultimately, both chips offer amazing value in their segment. Think about what’s most important to you in a phone to pick the chip that delivers the superior performance for your daily life!