Snapdragon
8 Gen 3 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite (Gen 4): Which Flagship Chipset Reigns Supreme?
Qualcomm’s
Snapdragon 8 series has long been the gold standard for flagship smartphone
performance. In 2024, the battle heats up with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and
the Snapdragon 8 Elite (Gen 4). Both chipsets promise
groundbreaking performance, AI capabilities, and connectivity, but how do they
stack up against each other? Let’s break it down in simple terms to help you
understand which one is the better choice for your next smartphone.
Performance:
Speed Meets Efficiency
Snapdragon
8 Gen 3
- CPU: Qualcomm® Kryo™ CPU (up
to 3.4 GHz)
- GPU: Qualcomm® Adreno™ GPU
(25% faster graphics rendering)
- AI Engine: Qualcomm® Hexagon™ NPU
(98% faster AI performance)
Snapdragon
8 Elite (Gen 4)
- CPU: Qualcomm® Oryon™ CPU
(4.47 GHz, 45% faster performance)
- GPU: Qualcomm® Adreno™ GPU
(40% faster graphics rendering)
- AI Engine: Qualcomm® Hexagon™ NPU
(45% faster AI performance)
Comparison:
The Snapdragon 8 Elite takes the lead with its custom Oryon
CPU, offering a massive 45% performance boost over the
Kryo CPU in the 8 Gen 3. The Adreno GPU in the Elite is also 40% faster,
making it a better choice for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks.
Learn
more about CPU architectures on Wikipedia.
AI
Capabilities: Smarter and Faster
Snapdragon
8 Gen 3
- Supports generative AI models
with up to 10 billion parameters.
- AI performance: 98%
faster than previous generations.
Snapdragon
8 Elite (Gen 4)
- Supports multimodal
Gen AI (voice, text, image, and live camera view).
- AI performance: 45%
faster than the 8 Gen 3.
Comparison:
The Snapdragon 8 Elite introduces multimodal Gen AI,
allowing it to process voice, text, and even live camera inputs. This makes it
more versatile for AI-driven tasks like real-time photo editing and advanced
voice assistants.
Learn
more about generative AI on Wikipedia.
Gaming:
Console-Level Experiences
Snapdragon
8 Gen 3
- Snapdragon Game Super
Resolution:
Upscales games to 8K.
- Hardware-Accelerated Ray
Tracing: 40%
better performance.
Snapdragon
8 Elite (Gen 4)
- Unreal Engine 5.2 support: Film-quality 3D
environments.
- Chaos Physics Engine: Lifelike object
interactions.
Comparison:
Both chipsets deliver exceptional gaming performance, but the Snapdragon
8 Elite takes it further with Unreal Engine 5.2 support,
offering more realistic graphics and physics.
Learn
more about Unreal Engine on Epic Games’ official
website.
Connectivity:
Faster and Smarter
Snapdragon
8 Gen 3
- Modem: Snapdragon™ X75 5G (10
Gbps download, 3.5 Gbps upload).
- Wi-Fi: Qualcomm® FastConnect™
7800 (Wi-Fi 7, 5.8 Gbps).
Snapdragon
8 Elite (Gen 4)
- Modem: Snapdragon® X80 5G (10
Gbps download, 3.5 Gbps upload).
- Wi-Fi: Qualcomm® FastConnect™
7900 (Wi-Fi 7, 5.8 Gbps).
Comparison:
Both chipsets support Wi-Fi 7 and 5G, but
the Snapdragon 8 Elite introduces 4x6 MIMO for
better 5G coverage and 30% more accurate location positioning.
Learn
more about Wi-Fi 7 on Wi-Fi Alliance.
Camera
and Multimedia: Capture and Create
Snapdragon
8 Gen 3
- Cognitive ISP: AI-enhanced photos and
videos.
- Snapdragon Sound™: Studio-quality lossless
audio.
Snapdragon
8 Elite (Gen 4)
- AI ISP: Real-time video object
eraser and semantic segmentation.
- Snapdragon Sound™: 24-bit 96kHz Wi-Fi music
streaming.
Comparison:
The Snapdragon 8 Elite introduces real-time video
object eraser and semantic segmentation, making it a
better choice for advanced photography and videography.
Learn
more about semantic segmentation on Wikipedia.
Battery
Efficiency: Power That Lasts
Snapdragon
8 Gen 3
- Power Efficiency: 20% better CPU
efficiency, 25% better GPU efficiency.
Snapdragon
8 Elite (Gen 4)
- Power Efficiency: 44% better CPU
efficiency, 40% better GPU efficiency.
Comparison:
The Snapdragon 8 Elite is significantly more power-efficient,
ensuring longer battery life for your smartphone.
Learn
more about power efficiency on Wikipedia.
Verdict:
Which One Should You Choose?
The Snapdragon
8 Elite (Gen 4) is the clear winner for those seeking the latest
technology, better performance, and advanced AI capabilities. However,
the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 remains a solid choice for users who
want flagship-level performance at a slightly lower price point.
Whether
you choose the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or the Snapdragon 8
Elite, both chipsets deliver exceptional value and performance for your
next smartphone.
Ready
to upgrade? Check out smartphones powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Snapdragon
8 Elite today and experience the future of mobile technology!
For
more information on Qualcomm’s latest innovations, visit the official Qualcomm website.
Explore
more about smartphone hardware on GSMArena and mobile
software on Android Central.