Snapdragon 8S Gen 3 VS Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: A Detailed Comparison

In the ever-evolving landscape of mobile technology, Qualcomm remains a pivotal player with its Snapdragon chipsets. The Snapdragon 8S Gen 3 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 are the latest offerings that have sparked discussions and comparisons among tech enthusiasts. The Snapdragon 8S Gen 3 made its debut recently, positioning itself as a powerhouse for flagship killers of the year. On the other hand, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 was announced earlier, setting the stage for the next wave of flagship smartphones.

These two chipsets not only represent the pinnacle of Qualcomm’s engineering but also signify a shift in the company’s approach to meeting diverse consumer needs. The Snapdragon 8S Gen 3, while being a more cost-effective alternative, does not skimp on performance and features. It’s designed to bring premium experiences to a broader audience without the hefty price tag associated with top-tier models.

>>Related: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: Qualcomm Joins The Flagship Race

Comparing these chipsets to their predecessor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, reveals a significant leap in performance and capabilities. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, for instance, boasts a Hexagon NPU that offers nearly double the performance of the Gen 2 model, making it a formidable choice for applications relying on generative AI. Meanwhile, the Snapdragon 8S Gen 3 stands out with its support for AI models with up to 10 billion parameters, a feature that its predecessor could not match.

It becomes clear that both the Snapdragon 8S Gen 3 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 are not just iterative updates but substantial upgrades that redefine what we can expect from our mobile devices. Now that we have some context, let's examine these two SoCs to see which one is the better one.

CPU and Performance

The Snapdragon 8S Gen 3 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 both feature the latest Arm Cortex cores, but with different configurations and clock speeds. The Snapdragon 8S Gen 3 is equipped with one Cortex-X4 big core, four Cortex-A720 medium cores, and three Cortex-A520 little cores. In contrast, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers a slightly different setup with one additional medium core and higher frequencies.

Related: Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 Specs leak: Oryon CPUs, Adreno 830 and more

Storage and Baseband

In the realm of storage, both the Snapdragon 8S Gen 3 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipsets embrace the UFS 4.0 standard, which is the forefront of storage technology, offering high-speed data transfer that is essential for today's demanding applications and multitasking needs. They also support the latest LPDDR5X and LPDDR5 memory types, respectively, ensuring that data processing is both rapid and efficient.

Shifting focus to connectivity, the baseband capabilities of these chipsets are equally impressive. The Snapdragon 8S Gen 3 is equipped with the Snapdragon X70 baseband, capable of delivering download speeds of up to 5Gbps, which is quite formidable. However, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 takes it a step further with the Snapdragon X75 baseband, pushing the boundaries with potential download speeds reaching up to 10Gbps. This stark difference in baseband performance positions the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 as the more future-proof option for users who seek the fastest possible internet connectivity on their devices.

GPU and Gaming

Both chipsets support Adreno GPUs with ray tracing capabilities, ensuring vivid graphics and smooth gameplay. However, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 might have a slight edge in performance due to its higher CPU clock speeds, which could translate into better frame rates in demanding gaming scenarios. Snapdragon 8S Gen 3 is equipped with an Adreno 735 GPU, supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing while Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 comes with an Adreno 750 GPU that is 25% predecessor.

Camera and Imaging

When it comes to camera support, both chipsets offer impressive capabilities, including support for 200MP single shots and advanced features like multi-frame noise reduction and real-time semantic segmentation. However, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 stands out with its Night Vision Video Capture feature, which is not available on the 8S Gen 3.

See: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs Apple A17 Pro - A Clash of True Heavyweights

Video Capture and Multimedia

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 takes the lead in video capture, supporting 8K at 30fps with HDR and 4K at 120fps. The Snapdragon 8S Gen 3, while still powerful, is limited to 4K UHD at 60fps. This makes the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 a better choice for those who prioritize high-resolution video recording.

AI and Machine Learning

Both chipsets are equipped with powerful AI engines, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has been shown to be quicker at generating images and text on demand, making it more suitable for applications that rely heavily on AI processing.

Connectivity

In terms of connectivity, both chipsets offer integrated 5G modems, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s X75 modem boasts higher download speeds compared to the X70 modem of the 8S Gen 3. Additionally, both support the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards.

Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: Comparison Table

Conclusion

The Snapdragon 8S Gen 3 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 are both flagship-tier processors, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers higher performance, better video capabilities, and more advanced AI features. The Snapdragon 8S Gen 3, on the other hand, is a more accessible option that still delivers robust performance for most users.

Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or a casual user, understanding the differences between these two chipsets can help you choose the right device for your needs. Stay tuned for more updates and comparisons about different SoCs.

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