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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is the newer platform, announced in October 2023, and Qualcomm claims up to 30% better CPU performance and up to 25% better GPU performance than Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Those are manufacturer comparisons, not guaranteed gains in every phone or independent benchmark scores. A handset’s cooling, configuration, software and workload all affect the result.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs 8 Gen 2: key specifications
| Specification | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Announcement | October 24, 2023 | November 2022 |
| CPU configuration or speed | Qualcomm’s brief lists one prime core up to 3.4 GHz, five performance cores up to 3.2 GHz and two efficiency cores up to 2.3 GHz. The maximum clock depends on platform version. | Qualcomm lists CPU speeds up to 3.36 GHz; speed can depend on platform version and device. |
| GPU comparison | Qualcomm claims up to 25% improved GPU performance and up to 25% improved GPU power efficiency versus Gen 2. | Qualcomm’s launch claim of up to 25% faster GPU performance compared Gen 2 with Gen 1, not Gen 3. |
| CPU comparison | Qualcomm claims up to 30% improved CPU performance and up to 20% improved CPU power efficiency versus Gen 2. | The quoted CPU-efficiency comparison in Qualcomm’s launch materials used Gen 1 as its baseline. |
| AI | Qualcomm lists a Hexagon NPU and Gen 3 AI Engine features; it advertises 98% faster Hexagon NPU performance versus the predecessor. | Qualcomm describes a Hexagon AI Engine, including INT4 support. |
| Connectivity | X75 5G modem, Wi-Fi 7 via FastConnect 7800 and Bluetooth 5.4 are listed in Qualcomm’s brief. | X70 modem; Qualcomm also described Wi-Fi 7 support in its launch materials. |
| Process and memory | Qualcomm’s brief lists 4 nm process technology and LPDDR5x support up to 4800 MHz, with memory density up to 24 GB. |
Sources: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 product page, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform Product Brief, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 product page, and Qualcomm’s October 24, 2023 Gen 3 announcement and November 2022 Gen 2 announcement.
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Is Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 faster than Snapdragon 8 Gen 2?
Qualcomm’s published comparisons say yes: Gen 3 is claimed to deliver up to 30% improved CPU performance and up to 25% improved GPU performance versus Gen 2. Qualcomm also claims up to 20% better CPU power efficiency and up to 25% better GPU power efficiency. “Up to” describes a ceiling in the manufacturer’s claim, not a promise that every phone will achieve that gain.
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Do not combine Gen 3’s figures with Gen 2 launch percentages as though they were measured head-to-head. Gen 2’s cited GPU performance comparison was against Gen 1, and its cited CPU-efficiency comparison also used Gen 1 as the baseline. Those figures answer a different generational comparison.
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What Qualcomm’s benchmark caveat means
Qualcomm’s Gen 3 product brief says: “All comparisons made are in reference to previous generation, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform. Results will vary, depending on OEM implementation and other factors.” It also notes that battery life varies with device, settings and usage.
The processor is only one part of a phone’s performance. Different cooling designs, power settings, software and memory configurations can change how a device behaves, especially in sustained workloads such as long gaming sessions. A peak score and performance maintained over time are not interchangeable.
Rank #2
- Ultra-high Performance Chipset: This cell phone is equipped with a powerful and efficient Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip, using 4nm technology and a full-core 3.2GHz CPU, supporting 24GB LPDDR5X memory + UFS 4.0 flash memory, and equipped with an AI engine, with comprehensive performance upgrades.
- Revolutionary 50MP Quad Camera System: This smartphone is equipped with All 50MP four camera system: Including a Main Camera, a Periscope, an Ultra-wide Camera, and a ultra-clear Front Camera; this cell phone support Ultra XDR 4K video, Auto Tone, Portrait Optimiser, Motion Capture Mode, Night Mode; Whether you're a photographer, vlogger, or social media enthusiast, with the pro-grade camera system and AI enhancements, this Nothing phone can ensure every shot is masterpiece-ready.
- One-Touch Control, AI-Powered Organization：ESSENTIAL KEY: A new button on the side of your device.Press once to capture your screen, long-press to record voice and ideas, and double-press to access Essential Space; ESSENTIAL SPACE: Everything in one place, organised the way you want it to be，AI mobile phones helps organise your captures, generating suggestions, and staying on top of what matters; Explore more AI features, Let AI enrich your life
- GLYPH INTERFACE: Where Light Speaks; The Glyph Matrix transforms your phone into an interactive playground—smart animations turn notifications, tools, and games into living light experiences; NFC: An animation comes to life when NFC is triggered; Glyph Button: Quick-tap to browse Glyph Toys, long-press to launch—from utilities to games; Smarter Alerts: Notifications now speak in light and sound, blending visuals with meaning; Beyond illumination; This is interaction, redefined.
- Larger and Brighter FHD Display: 6.67" FHD+ 1.5K AMOLED flex screen with 1.07B colors & 120Hz adaptive refresh for ultra-smooth visuals; Vs Nothing Phone (2)/(3a): Phone (3) boasts 181.2% brighter (4500 nits), 16.7% sharper (460 PPI), and 316% faster touch response (1000Hz); IP68-rated—tough enough for any adventure.
No matched-device independent benchmark scores are established here. A useful phone-to-phone comparison should identify the exact handset models and regional variants, benchmark app and version, software state and test mode, and say whether the results are peak or sustained. Without those details, a score attributed only to a chip name is difficult to interpret.
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If both phones are otherwise suitable, Gen 3 is the later platform and Qualcomm’s claims point to higher performance. But a chip-generation label alone does not settle which phone is better for you. Compare the actual devices and their regional processor variants, then weigh:
Rank #3
- Ultra-high Performance Chipset: This cell phone is equipped with a powerful and efficient Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip, using 4nm technology and a full-core 3.2GHz CPU, supporting 24GB LPDDR5X memory + UFS 4.0 flash memory, and equipped with an AI engine, with comprehensive performance upgrades.
- Revolutionary 50MP Quad Camera System: This smartphone is equipped with All 50MP four camera system: Including a Main Camera, a Periscope, an Ultra-wide Camera, and a ultra-clear Front Camera; this cell phone support Ultra XDR 4K video, Auto Tone, Portrait Optimiser, Motion Capture Mode, Night Mode; Whether you're a photographer, vlogger, or social media enthusiast, with the pro-grade camera system and AI enhancements, this Nothing phone can ensure every shot is masterpiece-ready.
- One-Touch Control, AI-Powered Organization：ESSENTIAL KEY: A new button on the side of your device.Press once to capture your screen, long-press to record voice and ideas, and double-press to access Essential Space; ESSENTIAL SPACE: Everything in one place, organised the way you want it to be，AI mobile phones helps organise your captures, generating suggestions, and staying on top of what matters; Explore more AI features, Let AI enrich your life
- GLYPH INTERFACE: Where Light Speaks; The Glyph Matrix transforms your phone into an interactive playground—smart animations turn notifications, tools, and games into living light experiences; NFC: An animation comes to life when NFC is triggered; Glyph Button: Quick-tap to browse Glyph Toys, long-press to launch—from utilities to games; Smarter Alerts: Notifications now speak in light and sound, blending visuals with meaning; Beyond illumination; This is interaction, redefined.
- Larger and Brighter FHD Display: 6.67" FHD+ 1.5K AMOLED flex screen with 1.07B colors & 120Hz adaptive refresh for ultra-smooth visuals; Vs Nothing Phone (2)/(3a): Phone (3) boasts 181.2% brighter (4500 nits), 16.7% sharper (460 PPI), and 316% faster touch response (1000Hz); IP68-rated—tough enough for any adventure.
- Performance under your workload: Look for testing in the apps or games you use, including sustained results where relevant.
- Cooling and power behavior: A handset’s thermal design and performance settings influence how long it can maintain demanding performance.
- Features actually enabled: Platform support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth versions or modem capabilities does not guarantee that every phone includes every feature, band or regional option.
- Whole-phone priorities: Display, battery, camera and software support can matter more to your daily experience than a chip’s maximum clock or headline claim.
Bottom line
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is newer, and Qualcomm claims meaningful CPU and GPU gains over Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Treat the percentages as vendor claims rather than universal benchmark results; the exact phone and its implementation determine what you will experience.
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