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The Snapdragon 8 Elite is the flagship-class chip, while the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 is a 7-series platform aimed at a lower tier. In NanoReview’s published comparison, the 8 Elite scores substantially higher in AnTuTu 10 and Geekbench 6. Those figures are useful indicators, not guaranteed results: the comparison does not document matched phones or a controlled test protocol, and the finished phone’s cooling, software, and power settings affect performance.
How the two Snapdragon chips differ
Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon 8 Elite on October 21, 2024, as a flagship mobile platform. It introduced the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 on May 15, 2025, as a new 7-series platform. The 7 Gen 4 is not simply a slower version of the 8 Elite: the chips use different CPU designs and platform specifications.
| Specification | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Second-generation custom Qualcomm Oryon; versions listed up to 4.47 GHz or 4.32 GHz | Qualcomm Kryo: one core up to 2.8 GHz, four up to 2.4 GHz, and three up to 1.8 GHz |
| Process | 3 nm | 4 nm |
| Memory platform maximum | LPDDR5x up to 5300 MHz; memory density up to 24 GB | LPDDR5x up to 4200 MHz; up to 16 GB |
| Display support listed in Qualcomm brief | On-device 4K at 60 Hz or QHD+ at 240 Hz | WQHD+ at 144 Hz |
| Connectivity highlights | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, and peak 5G download speed up to 4.2 Gbps |
These are platform capabilities, not promises about every phone using the chip. Phone makers choose which memory, display, connectivity, and other options to implement. A higher listed clock speed also does not translate directly into a benchmark score: CPU architecture, workload, and device configuration matter.
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What the benchmark comparison shows
NanoReview’s comparison page, accessed in 2026, reports the following scores. It lists a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra for the 8 Elite entry but does not describe a matched-phone testing method for the two chips.
#1 Best Overall
- MULTIPLE TASKS WITH ONE ASK: Streamline your day with an assistant that gets you. Ask it to Google search for a pet-friendly vegan restaurant nearby and text it to your friend— your Galaxy S25+ handles multiple tasks with a single ask.¹
- START THE DAY SMARTER: Stay one step ahead with a phone that gives you the info you need before you even know you need it with Now Brief.²
- REDUCE THE NOISE. REVEAL THE MAGIC: AI Camera with Audio Eraser lets you capture vibrant videos in low light and minimize unwanted noises so you can relive your favorite moments with fewer distractions.³
- BRING OUT THE BEST IN EVERY FACE: Capture every portrait with clarity and confidence on the Galaxy S25+ Series. The advanced portrait features adjust skin tones and preserve natural textures, giving every shot a polished, professional look.
- MORE POWER TO YOU: Reimagine what’s possible with the Galaxy S25+, featuring our most powerful processor yet. Effortlessly translate your calls, slow down a video, or edit your photos without skipping a beat.
| Benchmark | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 |
|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu 10 total | 2,744,741 | 956,920 |
| Geekbench 6 single-core | 3,155 | 1,352 |
| Geekbench 6 multi-core | 9,723 | 4,164 |
| 3DMark Wild Life | 23,881 | not stated on NanoReview’s comparison page |
The reported results favor the 8 Elite across the listed AnTuTu and Geekbench tests. Treat the scores as aggregator-reported comparisons, not universal results for every phone with either chip. Differences in device, cooling, software, and power limits can affect both peak scores and sustained performance. NanoReview also lists game frame rates, but without established equivalent devices and settings those figures should not be read as guarantees.
Geekbench’s Android chart provides a separate point of context: it contains user-submitted Geekbench 7 results and includes devices only after at least five unique submissions. That chart describes device results rather than a controlled, matched-device comparison of these two chips, so it does not resolve the testing limitation above.
What Qualcomm’s generational claims mean
Qualcomm says the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 delivers a 27% CPU performance increase, 30% faster GPU graphics rendering, and a 65% AI performance increase compared with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3. Those are Qualcomm’s predecessor-to-successor claims, not a direct comparison with the 8 Elite. Qualcomm’s launch materials also describe gains for the 8 Elite against the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3; the two sets of claims use different baselines and should not be compared as if they were one test.
Rank #2
- Ultra-high Performance Chipset: This cell phone is equipped with a powerful and efficient Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip, using 4nm technology and a full-core 3.2GHz CPU, supporting 24GB LPDDR5X memory + UFS 4.0 flash memory, and equipped with an AI engine, with comprehensive performance upgrades.
- Revolutionary 50MP Quad Camera System: This smartphone is equipped with All 50MP four camera system: Including a Main Camera, a Periscope, an Ultra-wide Camera, and a ultra-clear Front Camera; this cell phone support Ultra XDR 4K video, Auto Tone, Portrait Optimiser, Motion Capture Mode, Night Mode; Whether you're a photographer, vlogger, or social media enthusiast, with the pro-grade camera system and AI enhancements, this Nothing phone can ensure every shot is masterpiece-ready.
- One-Touch Control, AI-Powered Organization：ESSENTIAL KEY: A new button on the side of your device.Press once to capture your screen, long-press to record voice and ideas, and double-press to access Essential Space; ESSENTIAL SPACE: Everything in one place, organised the way you want it to be，AI mobile phones helps organise your captures, generating suggestions, and staying on top of what matters; Explore more AI features, Let AI enrich your life
- GLYPH INTERFACE: Where Light Speaks; The Glyph Matrix transforms your phone into an interactive playground—smart animations turn notifications, tools, and games into living light experiences; NFC: An animation comes to life when NFC is triggered; Glyph Button: Quick-tap to browse Glyph Toys, long-press to launch—from utilities to games; Smarter Alerts: Notifications now speak in light and sound, blending visuals with meaning; Beyond illumination; This is interaction, redefined.
- Larger and Brighter FHD Display: 6.67" FHD+ 1.5K AMOLED flex screen with 1.07B colors & 120Hz adaptive refresh for ultra-smooth visuals; Vs Nothing Phone (2)/(3a): Phone (3) boasts 181.2% brighter (4500 nits), 16.7% sharper (460 PPI), and 316% faster touch response (1000Hz); IP68-rated—tough enough for any adventure.
Graphics, AI, cameras, and connectivity
Both chips include Adreno graphics and a Hexagon NPU, and both support Wi-Fi 7. Qualcomm highlights multimodal on-device AI capabilities for the 8 Elite. For the 7 Gen 4, it calls out generative AI assistant and large language model support, as well as Stable Diffusion 1.5 support described as a first for the 7-series. These features establish platform support; the experience depends on the phone maker’s software and implementation.
Qualcomm’s briefs also describe camera and display capabilities, but the chip alone does not determine a phone’s camera quality or screen. Sensor choice, lenses, image processing, display hardware, and the manufacturer’s configuration all shape the final product. The same principle applies to connectivity: a platform’s listed capability does not guarantee that a particular phone exposes it.
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Choose an 8 Elite phone when peak performance matters most
For demanding games, intensive editing, and other CPU- or GPU-heavy work, the 8 Elite is the higher-tier platform and has much higher scores in the cited benchmark comparison. These are reasons to investigate phones built around it, not a substitute for handset-specific tests—especially if sustained frame rates or long workloads matter.
Rank #3
- Ultra-high Performance Chipset: This cell phone is equipped with a powerful and efficient Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip, using 4nm technology and a full-core 3.2GHz CPU, supporting 24GB LPDDR5X memory + UFS 4.0 flash memory, and equipped with an AI engine, with comprehensive performance upgrades.
- Revolutionary 50MP Quad Camera System: This smartphone is equipped with All 50MP four camera system: Including a Main Camera, a Periscope, an Ultra-wide Camera, and a ultra-clear Front Camera; this cell phone support Ultra XDR 4K video, Auto Tone, Portrait Optimiser, Motion Capture Mode, Night Mode; Whether you're a photographer, vlogger, or social media enthusiast, with the pro-grade camera system and AI enhancements, this Nothing phone can ensure every shot is masterpiece-ready.
- One-Touch Control, AI-Powered Organization：ESSENTIAL KEY: A new button on the side of your device.Press once to capture your screen, long-press to record voice and ideas, and double-press to access Essential Space; ESSENTIAL SPACE: Everything in one place, organised the way you want it to be，AI mobile phones helps organise your captures, generating suggestions, and staying on top of what matters; Explore more AI features, Let AI enrich your life
- GLYPH INTERFACE: Where Light Speaks; The Glyph Matrix transforms your phone into an interactive playground—smart animations turn notifications, tools, and games into living light experiences; NFC: An animation comes to life when NFC is triggered; Glyph Button: Quick-tap to browse Glyph Toys, long-press to launch—from utilities to games; Smarter Alerts: Notifications now speak in light and sound, blending visuals with meaning; Beyond illumination; This is interaction, redefined.
- Larger and Brighter FHD Display: 6.67" FHD+ 1.5K AMOLED flex screen with 1.07B colors & 120Hz adaptive refresh for ultra-smooth visuals; Vs Nothing Phone (2)/(3a): Phone (3) boasts 181.2% brighter (4500 nits), 16.7% sharper (460 PPI), and 316% faster touch response (1000Hz); IP68-rated—tough enough for any adventure.
Consider a 7 Gen 4 phone for capable mid-range features
The 7 Gen 4 brings modern platform features, including Wi-Fi 7, high-refresh display support, and on-device AI capabilities. Qualcomm described HONOR and vivo as initial adopters and named realme among expected adopters at launch; those statements do not confirm availability of every model or regional variant today.
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Compare complete phones, not just chip names
Current handset prices are not established by the cited sources, so compare the exact phones and regional configurations you can buy rather than inferring a price gap from the processors. Before choosing, check:
- Device-specific sustained-performance tests for long gaming or editing sessions.
- Battery-life reviews of the exact handset; a process-node label alone does not establish runtime.
- The phone’s actual memory, display, camera hardware, and connectivity options.
- Regional model details and software support, which can differ within a phone family.
NanoReview identifies the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra as a phone with the Snapdragon 8 Elite. Confirm the exact model and regional variant before treating it as a candidate, since the chip brief does not establish the configuration of every market’s handset.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
