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Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is the newer platform and leads on listed peak CPU speed and the benchmark results available here. But those results compare different phones, not the chips in identical conditions. In the published gaming test, the gap was small. For a purchase, the phone’s cooling, battery, display, camera, support policy, condition and price matter as much as its processor.
Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 at a glance
| Specification | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Process node | 4 nm | 4 nm |
| Peak CPU clock | Up to 3.2 GHz; a 3 GHz version is also available | Up to 3.36 GHz; a 3.19 GHz version is also available |
| 5G modem | Snapdragon X65 | Snapdragon X70 |
| Wi-Fi system | FastConnect 6900; Wi-Fi 6E; up to 3.6 Gbps | FastConnect 7800; Wi-Fi 7; up to 5.8 Gbps |
| ISP and charging support | 18-bit Spectra ISP; Quick Charge 5 support | 18-bit Spectra ISP; Quick Charge 5 support |
These are platform specifications from Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 page and its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 page. Qualcomm cautions that maximum CPU speed varies by platform version and says to consult the phone maker’s specifications. The phone and network must also support the connectivity features for users to benefit from them.
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What the benchmark comparison shows
Android Central compared an iQOO 11 with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 against an ASUS Zenfone 9 with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. These were different phone designs, so the scores are evidence about the tested handsets rather than a controlled, chip-only comparison.
| Test | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 iQOO 11 |
Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 ASUS Zenfone 9 |
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 reference Galaxy S22 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|
| CrossMark overall | 1074 | 1008 | 999 |
| Geekbench 5.1 single-core | 1474 | 1311 | 1005 |
| Geekbench 5.1 multi-core | 4760 | 4286 | 3152 |
| 3DMark Wild Life Extreme score | 2838 | 2801 | 2098 |
| 3DMark Wild Life Extreme frame rate | 17 fps | 16.75 fps | 12.55 fps |
In this comparison, the Gen 2 phone scored higher in both Geekbench CPU tests. The 3DMark scores were close: 2838 versus 2801, with frame rates of 17 fps and 16.75 fps. Android Central described the 8+ Gen 1 as nearly on par with Gen 2 in that graphics test. The reviewer also reported no obvious difference in ordinary day-to-day fluidity among the tested phones and described sustained gaming on the iQOO 11 as strong. Those observations apply to those devices and tests; cooling and other design choices can change sustained performance.
#1 Best Overall
- Please note, this device does not support eSIM. This device is compatible with T-Mobile networks and its MVNOs in the United States, carrier compatibility, activation, and network performance may vary depending on IMEI acceptance policies, carrier requirements, regional network support, and available frequency bands.
- NOT compatible with the MVNO's (Spectrum, Cricket, Xfinity, H2O, Visible, etc.), may not recognize international IMEI numbers for activation. Carrier compatibility is not guaranteed in all areas of the United States. Please verify compatibility with your carrier prior to purchase. No U.S. manufacturer warranty; seller return policy applies.
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A separate Geekbench 6 reference
Geekbench’s live Android benchmark chart lists the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, which uses Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, at 1755 single-core and 5052 multi-core in Geekbench 6. These are changing chart entries, not fixed chip specifications, and they are not a matched Geekbench 6 comparison with the 8+ Gen 1 results above, which use Geekbench 5.1.
What the specifications mean in practice
CPU speed and everyday performance
The Gen 2 has the higher listed peak CPU clock, and the tested Gen 2 phone led the 8+ Gen 1 phone in the cited CPU benchmarks. A higher peak does not guarantee that every phone will feel faster in every task: software, memory, cooling and device tuning also affect the experience. Both chips are listed as 4 nm, which by itself does not establish which handset is more efficient.
Rank #2
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Gaming and sustained performance
The small 3DMark gap in Android Central’s comparison is a useful reminder that a newer processor does not automatically produce a large graphics-score advantage in every phone. For longer gaming sessions, compare reviews of the exact models under sustained load, including heat and performance over time. The available comparison does not establish a universal gaming winner across all phones using these processors.
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Wi-Fi and mobile connectivity
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is specified with the X70 modem and FastConnect 7800, which supports Wi-Fi 7; the 8+ Gen 1 has the X65 modem and FastConnect 6900 with Wi-Fi 6E. These are newer named platform components, but actual connectivity depends on the handset’s implementation, compatible router or mobile network, and regional support.
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Camera and charging
Both platforms list an 18-bit Spectra ISP and Quick Charge 5 support. Those shared platform features do not determine a phone’s finished camera quality or charging speed. The manufacturer’s camera pipeline, sensors, battery and charging implementation remain important.
Which should you choose?
Choose a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 phone if
- You want the newer platform, including its listed X70 modem and Wi-Fi 7-capable FastConnect 7800 system.
- The particular Gen 2 handset offers the stronger overall combination of performance, cooling, battery, camera, display and software support for your needs.
- You value the stronger CPU results in the cited phone comparison, while recognizing that it was not a matched test of the processors alone.
Consider a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 phone if
- Its actual price and condition make it a better fit than the Gen 2 alternatives you are considering.
- Its battery, cooling, display, camera or support policy is more suitable for you.
- You do not need the Gen 2 platform’s newer listed connectivity features.
Before buying, compare the exact model and regional variant rather than relying on the processor name alone. Check battery condition and capacity, storage, software-support commitments, and independent reviews of sustained performance and battery endurance. Current prices, stock and a universal value winner are not established by the comparisons cited here.
Rank #4
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Qualcomm’s generational claims need context
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 product page says it offers a 10% increase in GPU clock speed, a 30% reduction in GPU power, 10% better CPU performance and 30% better CPU power efficiency compared with the preceding generation. These are Qualcomm’s claims about its stated generational comparison; they are not direct benchmark results comparing the 8+ Gen 1 with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
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Best Value
- Galaxy S23 sports a 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X flat display with adaptive 48–120 Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, and a peak brightness high enough for strong outdoor visibility — giving you vibrant, crisp visuals and smooth motion while staying compact.
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