Quick Answer
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 and Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 are both high-performance mobile platforms, but they target different segments. The 8s Gen 3 is a newer, more efficient chip designed to bring premium-tier features to a wider range of devices, while the 8 Plus Gen 1 is an enhanced version of a previous-generation flagship, offering robust performance from its era.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3: Full Comparison
Introduction
Choosing a smartphone often involves understanding the capabilities of its processor. This comparison examines two significant chips from Qualcomm: the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 and the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. While their names might suggest a direct lineage, they serve distinct purposes in the market. This analysis will break down their architectures, performance profiles, feature sets, and typical use cases to help clarify their key differences and similarities.
Architecture and Manufacturing Process
The fundamental design and fabrication of these chips set the stage for their performance and efficiency.
- Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1: This system-on-chip (SoC) is built on a 4nm manufacturing process. It utilizes a CPU configuration with a single prime Cortex-X2 core, three performance Cortex-A710 cores, and four efficiency Cortex-A510 cores.
- Snapdragon 8s Gen 3: Also fabricated on a 4nm process, it features a more modern CPU architecture. This includes a single prime Cortex-X4 core, four performance Cortex-A720 cores, and three efficiency Cortex-A520 cores, representing a newer generation of ARM cores.
The 8s Gen 3 benefits from a more recent core design, which generally translates to better performance per watt, though the specific implementation by device manufacturers plays a crucial role.
Performance and GPU
Raw computational power and graphics capabilities are central to the user experience.
- CPU Performance: The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, with its newer Cortex-X4 and A720 cores, typically shows advancements in both peak performance and sustained efficiency compared to the older cores in the 8 Plus Gen 1. For most daily tasks, both are highly capable.
- GPU (Graphics): The 8 Plus Gen 1 features the Adreno 730 GPU, which was a flagship-tier graphics processor in its time. The 8s Gen 3 uses the Adreno 735. While the Adreno 735 is part of a newer series and supports the latest graphics APIs, its positioning means it may not always surpass the raw performance of the previous flagship-tier Adreno 730 in all scenarios, but it brings newer features and efficiency.
- AI Engine: The 8s Gen 3 incorporates a more modern Hexagon NPU (Neural Processing Unit), supporting a wider range of on-device AI models and features compared to the AI engine in the 8 Plus Gen 1.
Connectivity and Features
This area highlights the supported technologies that affect data speeds, audio, and photography.
- Modem: Both platforms integrate the Snapdragon X70 5G modem, offering global 5G support. The 8s Gen 3 may include software enhancements from its later release.
- Wi-Fi & Bluetooth: The 8 Plus Gen 1 supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. The 8s Gen 3 upgrades this to Wi-Fi 7 (where available) and Bluetooth 5.4, providing potential for faster speeds and more stable connections.
- Camera Support: The 8 Plus Gen 1 supports camera sensors up to 200MP and 8K HDR video recording. The 8s Gen 3 supports sensors up to 200MP but typically caps video recording at 4K at 60fps or 4K HDR, with some variants supporting 8K. It includes the newer Qualcomm Spectra ISP (Image Signal Processor) with cognitive features for enhanced photo and video processing.
- Display Support: Both support high refresh rate displays (up to 144Hz for the 8s Gen 3, up to 120Hz+ for the 8 Plus Gen 1) and QHD+ resolution.
Target Market and Device Positioning
Understanding where these chips are typically used helps contextualize their capabilities.
- Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1: This chip was positioned as a premium flagship processor in 2022. It was commonly found in high-end smartphones that emphasized top-tier performance, gaming, and photography.
- Snapdragon 8s Gen 3: Qualcomm positions this as a “premium-tier” chip. It is designed to bring select flagship-level features from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 to a more accessible price point. You can generally expect it in upper-mid-range to premium smartphones that balance cost with strong performance.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Year | 2022 | 2024 |
| Process Node | 4nm | 4nm |
| CPU Cores | 1x Cortex-X2, 3x Cortex-A710, 4x Cortex-A510 | 1x Cortex-X4, 4x Cortex-A720, 3x Cortex-A520 |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 735 |
| AI Engine | 7th Gen Qualcomm AI Engine | Hexagon NPU (with Generative AI support) |
| 5G Modem | Snapdragon X70 | Snapdragon X70 |
| Wi-Fi / Bluetooth | Wi-Fi 6E / Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 7 / Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Max Camera Resolution | 200MP | 200MP |
| Video Capture | 8K HDR @ 30fps, 4K @ 120fps | 4K HDR @ 60fps (some 8K support) |
| Display Support | Up to QHD+ @ 144Hz, 4K @ 60Hz | Up to QHD+ @ 144Hz, 4K @ 60Hz |
| Typical Device Positioning | 2022 Premium Flagship Phones | 2024 Premium-Tier / Upper-Mid-Range Phones |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the main difference between the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 and the 8s Gen 3?
The main differences lie in their CPU architecture, target market, and feature sets. The 8s Gen 3 uses newer, more efficient CPU cores and a more modern AI engine, and it supports Wi-Fi 7. The 8 Plus Gen 1 was a top-tier flagship chip in its time, while the 8s Gen 3 is designed to bring select flagship features to a more accessible segment.
Which chip is better for gaming?
Both are capable of handling demanding games. The Adreno 730 in the 8 Plus Gen 1 was a flagship GPU and remains powerful. The Adreno 735 in the 8s Gen 3 is from a newer generation and may offer better efficiency and support for newer graphical features. The actual gaming experience will also depend on the device’s cooling system and display.
Does the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 support ray tracing?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing, similar to other recent Snapdragon 8-series platforms.
Is the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 more power-efficient than the 8 Plus Gen 1?
Generally, yes. The 8s Gen 3 is built on a newer CPU architecture (Cortex-X4/A720/A520) which is designed for improved performance-per-watt compared to the older Cortex-X2/A710/A510 cores in the 8 Plus Gen 1. The manufacturing process is similarly advanced for both.
Final Thoughts
The Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 and Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 represent two different approaches to high-performance mobile computing. The 8 Plus Gen 1 stands as a proven, high-performance chip from its generation, still found in many capable devices. The 8s Gen 3, while positioned slightly differently, brings a newer architecture, modern connectivity like Wi-Fi 7, and advanced AI capabilities to the table. The choice between devices using these processors often comes down to the specific implementation by the manufacturer, the other features of the phone, and the value proposition at the time of purchase. Understanding these technical differences provides a solid foundation for evaluating smartphones powered by these platforms.