Snapdragon’s 8 Elite has been the best lineup in the market to date. Most Flagship premium phones house these chips. The Snapdragon 8 Elite is present in devices like the Samsung Galaxy S25 series and the OnePlus 13. We have seen groundbreaking performances. Be it about gaming, battery optimisation or camera capabilities. Now, we have the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, announced at the Snapdragon Summit on September 24, 2025. It naturally brings us to think about Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Vs Snapdragon 8 Elite face-offs. This is what we are doing today. Let’s get all the details, see how they differ in various aspects.
Also read: All Details About Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Chipset!
Specs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Vs Snapdragon 8 Elite!
Both chips are built on a 3nm process node from TSMC. This is the latest architecture, which is meant to be fast and efficient. The Snapdragon Gen 5 upgrades Qualcomm’s third-generation Oryon CPU architecture. It boosts clock speeds and introduces enhancements like Adreno High-Performance Memory (HPM) for gaming. Here’s a side-by-side comparison:
| Feature | Snapdragon 8 Elite (2024) | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Process Node | 3nm TSMC | 3nm TSMC (optimized N3E variant) |
| CPU Configuration | 2x Oryon Prime @ 4.32GHz 6x Oryon Perf @ 3.53GHz | 2x Oryon Gen 3 Prime @ 4.6GHz 6x Oryon Gen 3 Perf @ 3.62GHz |
| GPU | Adreno 830 (up to 1.1GHz) | Adreno 840 (up to 1.2GHz, with HPM support) |
| NPU (AI Engine) | Hexagon (45 TOPS) | Hexagon Gen 3 (up to 55 TOPS, 45% faster inference) |
| Modem | Snapdragon X80 5G | Snapdragon X85 5G (faster downloads, better efficiency) |
| Memory Support | LPDDR5X up to 9.6Gbps, UFS 4.0 | LPDDR5X up to 10.7Gbps, UFS 4.1 |
| Camera ISP | Spectra (up to 320MP, 8K video) | Spectra Gen 2 (up to 320MP, enhanced AI processing) |
| Model Number | SM8750-AB | SM8850-AC |
The Gen 5’s higher clock speeds and refined cores improve the CPU performance by 20 per cent. The GPU has better graphics and ray tracing. AI tasks, like on-device generative models, run faster because of the upgraded NPU.
This, for photographers, would mean better low-light shots, smoother 8K footage.
Also read: Funtouch OS 16 Update: Release Date, Features And Devices
Benchmark Breakdown!
Benchmarks don’t tell the full story, but they do highlight the advantages of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. There have been early tests on prototypes, and devices like the Realme GT 8 Pro show consistent gains. Nevertheless, you can check out the benchmarks here and compare their overall performance stats.
| Benchmark | Snapdragon 8 Elite (2024) | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (2025) | Improvement in Gen 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu v10 (Total) | 2,719,964 | 3,749,435 | +38% |
| Geekbench 6 (Single-Core) | 3,055 | 3,834 | +26% |
| Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core) | 9,723 | 12,396 | +24% |
| 3D Mark WildLife Extreme score | 8492 | 11,000 | +25% |
| GFX Bench (Graphics) | 120 fps (Manhattan) | 148 fps (Manhattan) | +23% |
These scores tell that Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Vs Snapdragon 8 Elite are almost neck-and-neck. Only that Gen 5 is slightly edging.
Also read: Exynos 2400 Vs Snapdragon 8 Elite: 2025’s Best Mobile Processor Revealed!
Decision For Current Snapdragon 8 Elite Owners
Daily tasks like scrolling social media, streaming Netflix, or navigating are already top-notch on the 8 Elite. The overheating issue is efficiently managed. Just that even you might experience a bit warm phone while extensive gaming. The only upgrade is that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 has better power efficiency. It translates to about 1 hour and 48 minutes more video playback on a similar battery. You will only notice this during heavy use, like all-day gaming or 4K recording. AI features, such as real-time photo editing in apps like Lightroom, work superb (snappier by 45 per cent). But most apps haven’t optimised for the new NPU yet.
No rush to upgrade unless battery drain bugs you or you are a power user. Your phone will stay relevant for 2-3 years.
Prospective Buyers: What To Choose?
If you are shopping for a new phone, the Gen 5 is the clear winner. Especially, in devices launching pre-winters like OnePlus, Vivo, Samsung Galaxy S26, and RedMagic. Gaming feels so smooth because of the higher sustained frame rates of Adreno 840. Plus, if you compare this chip also draws less power than the Snapdragon Elite 8.
Multitasking feels more fluid as it helps in faster app switching, and there’s less lag in split-screen mode. For creators, the enhanced ISP and NPU mean quicker AI upscaling for photos/videos. If you are coming from an older chip (like Snapdragon 8 Gen 2), the upgrade is massive. From 8 Elite, it’s a solid but not essential step up.
Also Read: Mediatek Dimensity 9300 Vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: Performance, Gaming, AI And More!
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Vs Snapdragon 8 Elite: Which One Wins?
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is hands down the better option when it comes to performance. Also, do consider the budget, as Gen 5 is going to be in the top premium phones. And you know, the price is also going to be premium. There is no doubt, it’s going to be faster, more efficient, and future-proofed for emerging AI and 8K demands. If you are buying new, wait for Gen 5-powered phones. The difference in longevity and smoothness.
For existing 8 Elite users, stick with what you have. It’s still a beast, and the Gen 5’s upgrade won’t transform your experience overnight. Real benefits come every 2-3 generations. So, patience is the key.
Also read: Samsung Exynos 1380 Vs Snapdragon 695: Which One Should You Choose In 2025?
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