Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: Detailed Comparison You Need to Know

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has been the go-to flagship chip for premium Android smartphones since its debut, powering devices with cutting-edge performance, gaming prowess, and AI capabilities. But in a surprising move, Qualcomm introduced a slightly toned-down sibling — the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 — aimed at delivering top-tier features in a more affordable package.

While their names might suggest only a subtle variation, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 differ in several important areas. Let's break down how these two chips stack up across performance, graphics, AI, imaging, and connectivity.

CPU Architecture & Performance

Both chips are built on TSMC’s 4nm process and use ARMv9 CPU cores, but the core layout and clock speeds show a clear performance hierarchy.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3:

• Prime Core: 1x Cortex-X4 @ 3.3GHz
• Performance Cores: 5x Cortex-A720 (3x at 3.2GHz, 2x at 3.0GHz)
• Efficiency Cores: 2x Cortex-A520 @ 2.3GHz

Snapdragon 8s Gen 3:

• Prime Core: 1x Cortex-X4 @ 3.0GHz
• Performance Cores: 4x Cortex-A720 @ 2.8GHz
• Efficiency Cores: 3x Cortex-A520 @ 2.0GHz

This setup makes it clear: while the 8s Gen 3 still offers a strong octa-core configuration, it's slightly underclocked compared to the flagship 8 Gen 3. You’ll still get solid multi-core performance for gaming and multitasking, but heavy-duty users will see a difference.

GPU & Gaming Performance

The GPU is one of the biggest differentiators between these two.

• Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is equipped with the latest Adreno GPU, supporting hardware-accelerated ray tracing, global illumination, and Game Super Resolution for upscaling.
• Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 uses an earlier generation Adreno GPU, lacking some of the cutting-edge gaming features found in its flagship sibling.

While both GPUs support high frame rates and excellent visuals, gamers and graphics-intensive app users will benefit from the more powerful graphics pipeline of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

AI Capabilities

AI is an increasingly important part of mobile chips, and both SoCs come equipped with Qualcomm’s Hexagon NPU.

• The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers more robust AI processing, including support for running generative AI models on-device, faster natural language processing, and more efficient power usage during AI tasks.
• The 8s Gen 3 features a scaled-back NPU, capable of powering AI features like camera enhancements, background blur in video calls, and on-device assistants — but lacks the same horsepower for running large AI models in real-time.

In real-world use, both chips are competent for most AI-driven tasks, but power users will notice quicker and more advanced performance on the 8 Gen 3.

Camera & Imaging

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 supports Qualcomm’s Cognitive ISP — a powerful triple 18-bit image signal processor that brings real-time semantic segmentation to photography and video.

• It supports photo capture up to 200MP, 4K HDR video at 120fps, and ultra-low light night photography.
• The 8s Gen 3 retains a similar ISP architecture but with toned-down support for features like semantic segmentation, and it may not support the same real-time video enhancements.

That said, the 8s Gen 3 still delivers excellent camera performance for most users, but content creators and photography enthusiasts will appreciate the advanced tools in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

Connectivity Differences

Here’s where the two chips diverge quite a bit:

• Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 uses the Snapdragon X75 5G modem, supporting both mmWave and sub-6GHz networks with peak speeds of up to 10Gbps.
• Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is equipped with the Snapdragon X70 modem, supporting up to 6.5Gbps — but with limited or no mmWave support, depending on implementation.

Both chips support Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, ensuring they are future-ready in terms of wireless tech. But when it comes to ultra-fast 5G, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has the upper hand.

Power Efficiency & Thermal Management

Thanks to its more modest clock speeds and scaled-back AI/GPU modules, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is expected to run cooler and more power-efficient, especially under sustained load.

Devices using this chip might not only be more affordable, but also offer better battery life — an important consideration for daily users who prioritize longevity over raw performance.

Real-World Use Cases

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is ideal for:

• Gamers
• Content Creators
• Power Users
• AI Enthusiasts
• High-End Flagships

Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is perfect for:

• Upper-midrange Android phones
• Users who want solid performance without the premium price
• Longer battery life and cooler temperatures

Final Thoughts

While the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 shares a lot of its DNA with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, it is clearly designed for a different audience. It delivers flagship-level performance at a lower cost, making it a great choice for upper-midrange phones that don’t need to chase benchmark records.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, on the other hand, is built for top-tier devices — where every bit of power, performance, and feature-richness matters.

In short: If you're after the best of the best, go for the 8 Gen 3. But if you're looking for premium performance on a budget, the 8s Gen 3 hits the sweet spot.