The new Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 performance is the talk of the tech world, but Qualcomm’s confusing naming strategy is causing some head-scratching. While the new 8 Gen 5 offers a major leap from the 8 Gen 3, it faces an unexpected challenge from a surprising rival: the Snapdragon 8 Elite.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Performance Against Rivals
To understand the processor hierarchy, it’s crucial to decipher Qualcomm’s naming scheme. Until the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, everything was straightforward. However, the introduction of the Snapdragon 8 Elite in October 2024 changed everything, as it is effectively the fourth-generation platform. Consequently, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, despite its name, falls slightly behind the 8 Elite in some areas while still being a powerful flagship chipset. Therefore, upgrading from an 8 Gen 3 to an 8 Gen 5 is a logical step, but the same cannot be said for current 8 Elite owners.
Technical Specifications and Key Differences
The core differences between these processors range from manufacturing technology to core architecture. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 uses TSMC’s advanced 3nm (N3P) process, whereas the 8 Elite is built on the slightly older 3nm (N3E) technology. Both, however, offer significantly better performance and power efficiency compared to the 8 Gen 3’s 4nm (N4P) process. Here is a detailed comparison of the three chipsets:
| Feature | Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Announcement | November 2025 | October 2024 | October 2023 |
| Process | TSMC 3nm (N3P) | TSMC 3nm (N3E) | TSMC 4nm (N4P) |
| CPU | 2 x 3.8 GHz Oryon (3rd gen) 6 x 3.32 GHz Oryon (3rd gen) |
2 x 4.32 GHz Oryon (2nd gen) 6 x 3.53 GHz Oryon (2nd gen) |
1 x 3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 5 x 3.15/2.96 GHz Cortex-A720 2 x 2.27 GHz Cortex-A520 |
| GPU | Adreno 829 | Adreno 830 | Adreno 750 |
| Memory | LPDDR5x, up to 4.8 GHz | LPDDR5x, up to 5.3 GHz | LPDDR5x, up to 4.8 GHz |
| Connectivity | Snapdragon X80 5G modem, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0 | Snapdragon X80 5G modem, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0 | Snapdragon X75 5G modem, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 |
Benchmark Tests: What the Numbers Say
Synthetic benchmark results clearly illustrate the power balance. In the Geekbench 6 single-core test, the Snapdragon 8 Elite surprisingly surpasses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, thanks to its higher clock speeds. In multi-core performance, the 8 Gen 5 takes a slight lead. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, on the other hand, lags significantly behind both models.
The AnTuTu test results paint a similar picture. The Snapdragon 8 Elite narrowly beats the 8 Gen 5 in the total score. A closer look reveals that while the 8 Gen 5 scores 6% higher in CPU tests, the 8 Elite dominates with a 12% lead in GPU performance. This highlights just how capable the 8 Elite is, particularly for gaming.
In conclusion, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 offers improved camera capabilities, enhanced connectivity, and a clear performance boost for users upgrading from the 8 Gen 3. However, if you already own a device with a Snapdragon 8 Elite, there isn’t a compelling reason to make the switch to the 8 Gen 5.
So, what are your thoughts on the new Snapdragon processors? Share your opinions with us in the comments!
