Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is the faster platform overall, especially for peak CPU and GPU performance. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is a distinct, lower-tier chip that keeps several high-end features but has lower listed CPU clocks, a less powerful GPU, and an X70 rather than X75 modem. Benchmark results vary by phone, so cooling, software, and power limits matter as much as the chip name when choosing a handset.

Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 vs 8 Gen 3: specifications at a glance

Qualcomm’s platform specifications show a clear tier difference, but they do not describe every retail phone identically. In particular, Qualcomm advises checking the phone maker’s specification sheet for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 CPU configuration.

Specification Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 What it means
CPU configuration in product brief 1 prime core up to 3.0 GHz, 4 performance cores up to 2.8 GHz, and 3 efficiency cores up to 2.0 GHz 1 prime core up to 3.4 GHz, 5 performance cores up to 3.2 GHz, and 2 efficiency cores up to 2.3 GHz; Qualcomm notes other 3.0/3.3 GHz versions The 8 Gen 3 has higher listed clocks and a different core mix. Check the specific phone’s specifications.
Graphics Adreno GPU; Android Authority identifies it as Adreno 735 Adreno GPU; Android Authority identifies it as Adreno 750 Published comparisons favor the 8 Gen 3 for graphics. Both support ray tracing; Android Authority reports global illumination support on the 8 Gen 3.
Modem and peak download figure Snapdragon X70; up to 6.5 Gbps Snapdragon X75; up to 10 Gbps These are Qualcomm’s platform maximums, not expected everyday speeds. Carrier, signal, and device implementation affect throughput.
ISP 18-bit Spectra ISP Qualcomm Spectra ISP; product brief describes triple 18-bit ISP capabilities Supported camera modes and resulting image quality depend on the phone’s sensors and manufacturer implementation.
On-device AI Qualcomm AI Engine; Qualcomm describes on-device generative AI up to 10B parameters Qualcomm describes on-device generative AI capability, including up to 10B-parameter models Platform support does not mean every handset includes the same AI models or features.
Manufacturing process 4 nm, according to Qualcomm’s product page Android Authority lists TSMC 4 nm N4P Process labels alone do not establish a phone’s battery life or sustained performance.
Wireless platform FastConnect 7800; Wi-Fi 7 support FastConnect 7800; Wi-Fi 7 support Check the handset’s Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, carrier bands, and regional configuration.

Sources: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 product page, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 product page, Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 product brief, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 product brief, and Android Authority’s comparison.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

How the benchmark results compare

Beebom’s 2025 comparison reported the following results. They are results from its tested devices and benchmark versions, not universal scores for every phone using either processor.

#1 Best Overall
Sale
Nothing Phone (3) Cell Phone, 5G Unlocked Phones 512GB, Android 15, Snapdragon 8s Gen4, AI Mobile Phones with Four 50MP Cameras & AMOLED Display, 5150mAh, Glyph Interface, Smartphone Black
  • 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.
Benchmark Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Geekbench 6 single-core 1,999 2,234
Geekbench 6 multi-core 5,273 6,985
AnTuTu total 1,523,930 2,063,041
AnTuTu GPU subscore 520,531 834,879
Geekbench 6 GPU OpenCL 8,838 14,540

Beebom says its 3DMark test on the Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro repeatedly crashed, so it used Geekbench GPU tests instead. Its results favor the 8 Gen 3 in both CPU and graphics workloads. See Beebom’s benchmark comparison for its test context.

Why results differ between phones

Android Authority’s June 2024 comparison used a Galaxy S24 as its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 reference and a POCO F6 for the 8s Gen 3. It found the 8 Gen 3 ahead in graphics, while the 8s Gen 3 remained consistent during its stress test and approached the 8 Gen 3 by the end. That result describes those phones and that test, not every handset’s sustained performance. Read the device comparison.

Rank #2
RokCokDok G26 Ultra Unlocked Phone Stylus, 6GB+256GB, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | 108MP Camera & 6800mAh Battery | 5G Android 14 (Black)
  • ✍️ Pen & HD Screen pen offers 4,096 pressure levels for precise notes, drawing, and editing. Paired with a vibrant 7-inch display, enjoy paper-like responsiveness and wide viewing angles
  • 🔋 6800mAh AI Smart Battery Power through 24+ hours of talk time, 35 hours of music, or 10 hours of gaming. AI-driven power management extends standby by 30% and optimizes charging cycles for long-term battery health
  • 🎬 6.56 Immersive HD Display Experience cinematic clarity on the ultra-bright 7-inch screen. Perfect for streaming 4K videos, gaming, and browsing with wide viewing angles and vivid color accuracy
  • 🚀 Snapdragon 8 Gen3 Performance & Security Octa-core processor with 6GB RAM handles heavy multitasking and AAA games effortlessly. 256GB storage holds 150,000+ photos. Secured by facial recognition and side-mounted fingerprint unlock
  • 📸 108MP Pro Camera System Capture studio-quality shots with the 108MP main lens + 48MP front camera. AI imaging enhances night shots, portraits, and 4K videos. Dual-LED flash and macro mode for detail-rich content

PhoneArena’s comparison also reports results for specific devices—the OnePlus 12 with an 8 Gen 3, and the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra and Honor 200 Pro with an 8s Gen 3—including high and low 3DMark Wild Life Extreme results. These examples reinforce that a benchmark score belongs to a tested phone and setup, not just to a processor. See PhoneArena’s handset benchmark comparison.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
  • Geekbench single-core results indicate performance in lightly threaded CPU tasks; multi-core results cover workloads that use more cores.
  • GPU scores measure graphics performance in the specified test, not overall gaming quality or sustained frame rates.
  • Cooling, software, power settings, and benchmark version can change measured results. For long gaming or rendering sessions, sustained performance matters in addition to a peak score.

Features, cameras, and connectivity

Both chips support on-device AI capabilities, Wi-Fi 7 platform support, and advanced camera processing. The 8 Gen 3 supports higher-end video capture specifications in Android Authority’s comparison, but a phone maker must implement and enable the relevant mode. A chipset’s capability alone does not guarantee that a particular phone offers it.

Rank #3
I25 Ultra 12GB + 512GB Unlocked Phone 6.9" FHD+ 5G 8000mAh Battery Black
  • ⚡【12GB+512GB & Snapdragon8 Gen3 Octa-Core 5G Processor】The cell phone is equipped with the powerful Snapdragon8 Gen3 Octa-core processor, which can dramatically improve the running speed, network, frame rate and picture smoothness, you will no more need to suffer from phone lag. 12GB RAM + 512GB ROM/512GB Expandable, which support multiple software to run smoothly at the same time, allowing you to enjoy many videos and games download to maximize your storage needs.
  • 🚀【6.9 HD Screen + Android 15.0 System】 The most advanced Android 15.0 system is paired with a 6.9 Ultra HD screen. This is an Android unlocked phone with a large screen, featuring a large perforated screen, high quality hot bending glass back cover, and a 5-point capacitive touch screen. And it has facial recognition and Fingerprint button unlock and Quick button for taking photos,which effectively protect your privacy.
  • ✨【Dual SIM/TF card holder sharing and Global Band 5G Phone】Dual SIM & 2 Card Slots, I25 Ultra Smartphone adopts 2 card slot design (SIM/TF card holder sharing), supports two 5G SIM cards, you can use the second number without carrying an extra mobile phone. Excellent transmission speed allows you to freely explore the online world.
  • 🔋【8000mAh big Battery Unlokced Phones】I25 Ultra smartphone is equipped with an above-average 8000mAh battery, which lasts longer than you might expect. Outdoor recreation stays powered up for long periods of time Intelligent and thoughtful AI battery management can reduce excessive cache to save more power and then to be longer standby time.this phone stay along your side, ready for your need!
  • 📷【Professional-Grade 108MP + 72MP Dual Camera System】Capture stunning, gallery-worthy photos with the ultra-high-resolution 108MP main sensor, delivering incredible detail even in low light.The powerful 72MP secondary lens excels at ultra-wide shots, macro photography, or depth sensing for beautiful portraits with exquisite bokeh. Record sharp, stable videos and never miss a moment with this versatile flagship-level camera setup.

The modem distinction is more straightforward on paper: Qualcomm lists an X70 modem with a peak download figure of 6.5 Gbps for the 8s Gen 3 and an X75 with up to 10 Gbps for the 8 Gen 3. Those figures describe platform ceilings; actual mobile data speeds depend on the network and handset. Likewise, Wi-Fi 7 support at platform level does not confirm the exact wireless features or bands on every regional phone variant.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Which Snapdragon chip should you choose?

Choose a phone with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for peak performance

If your priority is the strongest peak CPU and GPU output and the higher platform tier, the 8 Gen 3 is the better choice, all else being equal. Published benchmark comparisons and Qualcomm’s listed CPU clocks support that conclusion. It is not, by itself, a guarantee that every 8 Gen 3 phone will outperform every 8s Gen 3 phone during a long session.

Rank #4
SAMSUNG Galaxy A36 5G 2025 | 256GB, Dual SIM | 6.7" 120Hz AMOLED, IP67 Water Resistant, Android 15 | International Model Factory Unlocked for T-Mobile & Global | 25W Fast Charger Bundle (Black)
  • Please note, this device does not support eSIM. This device is compatible with T-Mobile networks and its MVNOs in the United States, carrier compatibility, activation, and network performance may vary depending on IMEI acceptance policies, carrier requirements, regional network support, and available frequency bands.
  • NOT compatible with the MVNO's (Spectrum, Cricket, Xfinity, H2O, Visible, etc.), may not recognize international IMEI numbers for activation. Carrier compatibility is not guaranteed in all areas of the United States. Please verify compatibility with your carrier prior to purchase. No U.S. manufacturer warranty; seller return policy applies.
  • The included 25W Fast Charger is a generic accessory and is not a Samsung-branded charger, 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1080x2340px, Fingerprint (under display, optical), IP67 dust and water resistance
  • 256GB, 8GB, No SD Card Slot, Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4nm), Octa-core, Adreno 710 GPU, Android 15, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 7
  • Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 + 8MP, f/2.2 + 5MP, f/2.4, Front Camera: 12MP, f/2.2, 5000mAh Battery, Bluetooth 5.4

Consider Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 for a performance-focused phone at a lower tier

The 8s Gen 3 is a capable upper-tier platform for general use and gaming, with lower listed clocks and a less powerful graphics solution than the 8 Gen 3. It may make sense in a less expensive phone, but the chipset comparison alone does not establish the best value: compare the actual phone’s price and complete hardware.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Compare the handset, not just the processor

Before deciding, check the particular model and regional version for:

  • Cooling design and performance under extended workloads
  • Battery capacity and real device-level battery testing
  • Display quality and refresh rate
  • Camera sensors and which video modes are enabled
  • Software support policy and memory configuration
  • Current price and availability

POCO F6 and Galaxy S24 are examples used in Android Authority’s cited comparison, not universal representatives of every phone with these chips. Verify the processor and configuration for the model sold in your region.

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.