Today, we will compare the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs. Dimensity 9400 Plus! When it comes to Android mobile processors, we often think about MediaTek or Snapdragon! There’s a good reason why. Both chipsets are offering one good thing after another. Be it efficiency, performance, productivity, or innovation. You get to have gaming, AI features, 5G speed, and whatnot! These chips are one of the most advanced ones in 2025 because the capabilities are endless.
In this article, you will learn about the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs. Dimensity 9400 Plus. I will compare benchmarks, AI, gaming, and other areas to get a good idea of both chips. So, let’s check out which one is worth investing in!
Also Read: A18 Pro Vs A17 Pro Comparison: Benchmarks, Features, AI, And More!
Specifications: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Vs Dimensity 9400 Plus
Let’s take a quick look at the specifications of each chip:
| Specification | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Dimensity 9400 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Process Node | TSMC 4nm (N4P) | TSMC 3nm (N3E) |
| CPU | 1x Cortex-X4 @ 3.3GHz5x Cortex-A720 @ 3.15/2.96GHz2x Cortex-A520 @ 2.27GHz | 1x Cortex-X925 @ 3.73GHz3x Cortex-X4 @ 3.3GHz4x Cortex-A720 @ 2.4GHz |
| GPU | Adreno 750 | Arm Immortalis-G925 MP12 |
| NPU | Hexagon NPU with AI capabilities | MediaTek NPU 890 (DeepSeek R1 LLM support) |
| ISP | Spectra ISP(200MP support, 8K@30fps) | Imagiq 1090(320MP support, 8K@60fps) |
| Modem | Snapdragon X75 5G(up to 10Gbps download) | Integrated 5G modem(up to 10Gbps, BeiDou GNSS) |
| Cache | 12MB L3, 6MB SLC | 12MB L3, 10MB SLC |
| Memory Support | LPDDR5X | LPDDR5X @ 10667 Mbps |
| Release Date | Late 2023 | Early 2025 |
The Dimensity 9400 Plus has a more advanced 3nm process node, which results in better performance. However, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has a 4nm architecture.
Announcement And Release Date:
| Category | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Dimensity 9400+ |
|---|---|---|
| When Announced | October 24, 2023, at a big event in Hawaii | April 10, 2025; launch event on April 11, 2025 |
| First Phones | Xiaomi 14 series (came out in China on October 26, 2023) | Oppo Find X8s, X8s+, and Vivo X200s (April 2025) |
| More Phones | Samsung Galaxy S24, OnePlus 12, Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra (early 2024) | iQOO Neo11 Pro and more coming later |
| Used In | Top Android phones (flagship phones) | Also used in top Android phones |
| Main Markets | Popular around the world, especially in the US and Europe | Focused early on China and the Philippines |
| Release Timing | Came out at the usual time for Snapdragon chips (late 2023) | Came out earlier than usual for a “Plus” version to meet phone maker demand |
Benchmark Performance:
Benchmarks can give you an idea about the peak performance of a chipset. In terms of benchmarks, both chips deliver impressive results. Here’s how they perform across different platforms:
AnTuTu 10 Scores
| Category | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Dimensity 9400 Plus | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | 436,420 | 596,306 | +36.6% |
| GPU | 870,679 | 1,131,951 | +30.0% |
| Memory | 392,296 | 413,319 | +5.4% |
| UX | 352,620 | 414,966 | +17.7% |
| Total | 2,052,015 | 2,556,542 | +24.6% |
In AnTuTu tests, the Dimensity 9400 Plus scores up to 35% higher than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. It performs better in CPU, GPU, and memory areas. The 12-core Immortalis-G925 GPU and faster LPDDR5X help it handle heavy tasks.
Also Read: Best Mobile Phone Processors Ranking Top 100 List!
GeekBench 6 Scores
The Dimensity 9400 Plus is much better in CPU tests. It scores about 20% higher in single-core and over 35% higher in multi-core performance. This is mainly because it uses a newer Cortex-X925 core and only high-performance cores.
| Benchmark | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Dimensity 9400 Plus | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-Core Score | 2,193 | 2,874 | +31% |
| Multi-Core Score | 7,304 | 8,969 | +23% |
| Asset Compression | 288.3 MB/sec | 348.3 MB/sec | +20.8% |
| HTML 5 Browser | 198.1 pages/sec | 270 pages/sec | +36.3% |
| PDF Renderer | 227.4 Mpixels/sec | 290.1 Mpixels/sec | +27.6% |
| Image Detection | 174.5 images/sec | 224.6 images/sec | +28.7% |
| HDR | 238.2 Mpixels/sec | 278.6 Mpixels/sec | +17.0% |
| Background Blur | 26.7 images/sec | 32.3 images/sec | +20.9% |
| Photo Processing | 64.9 images/sec | 86.9 images/sec | +33.9% |
| Ray Tracing | 7.38 Mpixels/sec | 9.44 Mpixels/sec | +27.9% |
| Compute Score (GPU) | 14,269 | 21,136 | +48% |
It’s also built with a newer 3nm chip process.
3DMark (GPU)
| 3DMark Wild Life Test | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Dimensity 9400 Plus | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Score | 14,603 | 18,739 | +28% |
| Graphics Test (FPS) | 87 FPS | 112 FPS | +28.7% |
| Stability | 73% | – | – |
The Dimensity 9400 Plus has a standout GPU. This is especially in 3DMark ray-tracing tests like Solar Bay. It is up to 62% faster than the older Dimensity 9300. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 still performs well, particularly in longer gaming sessions. It handles heat better in some cases.
The Dimensity 9400 Plus is the clear winner in raw benchmark performance. This is thanks to its newer architecture and advanced 3nm process. It leads in CPU, GPU, and memory tests. However, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is still very competitive in real-world use.
Gaming Performance -Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs Dimensity 9400 Plus
When you buy a phone because of it’s strong performance, gaming is also crucial. Both the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Vs Dimensity 9400 Plus are sure to give console-like experience.
Let’s check out the real-world gaming performance for Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile, and Call of Duty:
| Game & Settings | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (Xiaomi 14 Ultra) | Dimensity 9400 Plus (Vivo X200 Pro) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genshin Impact (60fps target) | 59.6 fps avg, 5.8W power, 43°C peak | 58.9 – 60 fps avg. 4.4–4.8W power, 7.2–43.2°C peak | Dimensity runs cooler and uses up to 24% less power |
| PUBG Mobile (90fps Mode) | 90 fps stable slightly better minimum FPS | 90 fps stable | Snapdragon benefits from game-specific optimisations |
| Call of Duty Mobile (120fps Mode) | 117–120 fps tight frame consistency | 112–117 fps occasional dips | Snapdragon shows better stability |
The Dimensity 9400 Plus offers reasonable frame rates but consumes less power. It also runs cooler and is suitable for extended gaming sessions. Its Immortalis G925 GPU supports advanced features, including hardware-based ray tracing and opacity microamp.
In some tests, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has slightly better minimum frame rates.
Also read: Cashify Explains: Which Smartphone Processors Are Best For Mobile Gaming?
Camera And Multimedia
Let’s check out this section as well. Knowing about camera and multimedia performance is going to come handy if you are into photography.
| Feature | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Dimensity 9400 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Camera Chip | Spectra ISP | Imagiq 1090 |
| Max Camera Size | Up to 200 megapixels | Up to 320 megapixels |
| Video Recording | 8K at 30 frames per second, 4K at 120 fps | 8K at 60 fps, HDR video at all zoom levels |
| Smart Features | AI reduces noise in photos Combines multiple images | AI improves sharpness and zoom in photos |
| Main Strength | Great in low light and stable photo quality | Higher detail and smoother video with powerful AI tools |
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 surely offers reliable imaging performance. This is the chip for you if you want strong low-light performance and AI features. But, do note that the video recording is limited to 8K at 30fps.
The Dimensity 9400 Plus is good for taking photos and recording videos. It works with high-res cameras and can shoot smooth 8K video. It also uses smart AI tech to make your photos sharper and clearer. So if you’re into making videos or posting high-quality pics online, this chip helps make everything look better without needing extra apps.
AI Performance:
Here’s how their NPUs compare:
| Feature | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Dimensity 9400 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| NPU (AI chip) | Hexagon NPU, made for handling many types of AI tasks | MediaTek NPU 890, supports large AI models like DeepSeek R1 |
| AI Features | Can run AI tools on the device, generate images, and improve audio | Great at video generation, live translation, and smart AI helpers |
| Speed | 45% faster than the older Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | 80% faster than Dimensity 9300 and faster in complex tasks |
| Strengths | Works well with camera AI, voice assistants, and smooth gaming audio | Stronger in advanced AI tasks like running smart agents |
| Test Results | Very good, especially in video and sound tasks | Beats Snapdragon in AI benchmarks like Geekbench |
Qualcomm’s AI ecosystem is tightly integrated with its CPU and GPU. So, when a chip is deeply integrated, it will offer fantastic performance. Be it low-latency gaming audio or photography, you’ll get it all.
MediaTek’s NPU 890 is another reason I am biased towards the Dimensity 9400 Plus. It supports advanced AI models like DeepSeek R1. This means that it is going to give you incredible on-device processing. Its Agentic AI framework allows developers to create specialised AI agents.
Price And Availability
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 powers popular flagship phones in 2024. It is in the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, Xiaomi 14, and RedMagic 9S Pro. Since these are newer models, their prices are dropping, and you can get them at better deals than older versions.
| Chipset | Phones | Pricing & Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, Xiaomi 14, RedMagic 9S Pro (2024) | Available now in 2024 phones, cheaper as older models |
| Dimensity 9400 Plus | Vivo X200 series, Oppo Find X8 Pro (2025) | New in 2025 phones, priced lower because of MediaTek’s deals |
The Dimensity 9400 Plus is in devices released in 2025. You can see it in the Vivo X200 series and Oppo Find X8 Pro. These phones are usually priced high because MediaTek works with many different brands.
Dimensity 9400 Plus phones offer better value, but Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 devices are discounted.
Efficiency and Thermals
Efficiency means how well the chip is using the power without draining the battery, if it’s draining battery too quickly or overheating.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 uses about 5.8 to 6.3 watts of power when playing a game like Genshin Impact. It reaches a temperature of about 43°C (which is just slightly warm). The Snapdragon chip is made using a 4nm process. It is a little less efficient than newer chips, but it’s been around for longer. So, naturally it’s very good at managing power and heat.
When running the same game, the Dimensity 9400 Plus uses about 4.4 to 4.8 watts of power. Its temperature ranges from 37.2°C to 43.2°C. It’s made using a 3nm process, which is more efficient than the 4nm process. It’s designed with only high-performance cores, which helps save power. But if the phone isn’t cooled well, it might get slower.
So, if you want a phone that lasts longer on a single charge, the Dimensity 9400 Plus is better. If you want something that stays steady and reliable for a longer time, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a safer choice.
Connectivity
Both the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Dimensity 9400 Plus have excellent connectivity features. They can connect to things like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth very well. However, they have a few differences:
| Feature | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Dimensity 9400 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| 5G Modem | Snapdragon X75 5G (up to 10Gbps) | Integrated 5G modem (up to 10Gbps) |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 6.0 (8km phone-to-phone range) |
| Low-Latency Audio | Snapdragon Sound (for low-latency audio) | – |
| GNSS (Navigation) | – | BeiDou GNSS (for better location tracking) |
Dimensity 9400 Plus has Bluetooth 6.0. This allows it to connect to other devices at a much longer range (up to 8 kilometres). This is great if you can connect your phone to other devices that are far away.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has Snapdragon Sound, which improves audio quality and reduces audio lag. This is especially good if you care about listening to music or playing games with great sound and no delay.
The Dimensity 9400 Plus is better if you need a longer Bluetooth range. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a better choice if you care more about high-quality audio.
Long Story Short
The MediaTek Dimensity 9400 Plus is one of the most powerful chips you can get. It’s super fast, saves battery, takes amazing photos and videos, and is great at running smart AI features. It’s perfect if you want the newest tech and the best performance.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is still a top-tier chip. It might not be as fast on paper, but it’s very reliable. It runs games smoothly, doesn’t overheat easily, and works really well with apps, sound systems, and accessories.
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