Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →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 8s Gen 4 is substantially faster in the published benchmark aggregates available for this comparison, and it uses a newer CPU and platform. But the scores are not from a controlled test of identical phones: handset cooling, firmware, power limits and configuration affect results. If processor performance is your main criterion, the 8s Gen 4 is the stronger chip; choosing between actual phones still requires comparing their hardware and condition.
How the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 and 865 Plus differ
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 launched on April 2, 2025, while the Snapdragon 865 Plus dates to July 8, 2020, according to NanoReview’s 8s Gen 4 listing and 865 Plus listing. They belong to different platform generations, with a five-year gap between those reported dates.
The newer chip uses a 4 nm process and a CPU configuration built around one Cortex-X4 core, with six Cortex-A720 cores at different clock speeds. The 865 Plus uses a 7 nm process and eight cores based on Cortex-A77 and Cortex-A55 designs. Qualcomm rounds the 8s Gen 4’s peak CPU clock to 3.2 GHz; the detailed core breakdown below comes from NanoReview.
| Specification | Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 | Snapdragon 865 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Launch date | April 2, 2025 (NanoReview) | July 8, 2020 (NanoReview) |
| Process | 4 nm | 7 nm |
| CPU configuration | 1 Cortex-X4 up to 3.21 GHz; 3 Cortex-A720 at 3.0 GHz; 2 Cortex-A720 at 2.8 GHz; 2 Cortex-A720 at 2.02 GHz | 1 Kryo 585 Prime/Cortex-A77 at 3.1 GHz; 3 Gold/Cortex-A77 at 2.42 GHz; 4 Silver/Cortex-A55 at 1.8 GHz |
| GPU | Adreno 825 (NanoReview); Qualcomm describes a sliced Adreno GPU | Adreno 650 (NanoReview) |
| Modem and wireless | Integrated Snapdragon 5G modem-RF system; Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0 listed by Qualcomm | X55 modem-RF system listed by Qualcomm; its family overview does not state Wi-Fi details |
| ISP and charging technology | 18-bit Spectra ISP; Quick Charge 5 technology | Spectra 480; Quick Charge AI and Quick Charge 4+ technology |
Qualcomm’s product pages describe platform capabilities, not a guarantee that every phone implements every feature. Wireless support, charging and other functions depend on the handset model and region. The 4 nm versus 7 nm process figures also do not, by themselves, establish how long a particular phone’s battery will last.
#1 Best Overall
- 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 comparison: published aggregate scores
NanoReview’s current aggregate figures favor the 8s Gen 4 in the listed CPU and graphics tests. They are useful as a broad indication of chip-generation differences, not as a promise of the score or gaming performance a specific phone will achieve.
| Benchmark | Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 | Snapdragon 865 Plus | How to read the figures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 single-core | 2,072 | 1,254 | NanoReview page aggregates; 50 CPU samples for the 8s Gen 4 and 4 for the 865 Plus |
| Geekbench 6 multi-core | 6,649 | 3,297 | NanoReview page aggregates; sample counts differ as above |
| AnTuTu 11 | 2,314,417 | 909,414 | NanoReview page aggregates, not results from a matched set of phones; its device table lists many 8s Gen 4 phones and one 865 Plus phone |
| 3DMark Wild Life Extreme | 3,705 | 1,217 | NanoReview page aggregates; not a controlled comparison under identical handset conditions |
Benchmark scores vary with phone model, cooling, firmware, power limits and benchmark version. The Geekbench sample counts are notably unequal, and the AnTuTu device samples are also unbalanced. Treat the numbers as published aggregates rather than a lab result comparing two otherwise identical phones.
What Qualcomm’s performance claims do—and do not—mean
Qualcomm says the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 delivers 31% improved CPU performance and up to 49% improved GPU performance. Those percentages compare it with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, not the 865 Plus; Qualcomm states that baseline in a footnote on its Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 product page. They should not be presented as direct 8s Gen 4-versus-865 Plus gains.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →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.
Which chip is better for a phone?
Choose an 8s Gen 4 phone when performance is the priority
For processor performance and platform generation, the 8s Gen 4 is the stronger choice based on its newer CPU design and the benchmark aggregates above. NanoReview lists the Nothing Phone (3), iQOO Z10 Turbo Pro and Xiaomi Civi 5 Pro among devices using it. These are examples, not a complete list or confirmation of current availability; verify the exact model and regional variant before buying.
Consider an 865 Plus phone only in the context of the whole device
The 865 Plus may still appear in an older phone, including the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 in NanoReview’s device listing. For a used handset, the chip score alone cannot tell you whether the purchase makes sense: condition, battery health, software support, price and the phone’s other hardware matter.
What benchmarks cannot tell you about the phone
The chip does not determine sustained performance or overall experience on its own. A phone’s cooling system and power limits influence long gaming sessions; battery capacity and charging implementation shape day-to-day use; display, camera, storage and software support are separate device-level factors. The published material here does not establish a matched-phone battery, temperature or long-term software-support comparison, so it cannot support a universal claim about those outcomes.
Quick Recap
- For gaming, look for long-duration tests of the exact handset, not only peak chip scores.
- For battery and charging, compare independent handset tests and the phone’s actual charging implementation.
- For a used 865 Plus device, check battery condition, software-support status and physical condition alongside the price.
- For either chip, confirm the processor in the precise regional model you are considering.
Sources
- Qualcomm: Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 Mobile Platform
- Qualcomm: Snapdragon 8 Series Mobile Platforms
- NanoReview: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 specs and benchmarks
- NanoReview: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus specs and benchmarks
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.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
