The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is the stronger chip for peak CPU and GPU performance; the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is a distinct, lower-tier platform that retains many high-end features with lower CPU clocks and a less powerful GPU. Which phone performs better in sustained use still depends on its cooling, software, power limits, and other hardware.
How the specifications differ
Qualcomm’s platform pages and product briefs show differences in CPU configuration and modem, while both platforms support high-end connectivity and on-device AI. These are platform capabilities, not guarantees that every phone maker enables every feature.
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| Specification | Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU layout and listed clocks | One prime core up to 3.0 GHz, four performance cores up to 2.8 GHz, and three efficiency cores up to 2.0 GHz, per Qualcomm’s product brief. | 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, per Qualcomm’s product brief. Qualcomm notes that other clock variants exist and advises checking the OEM’s specifications. |
| GPU | Adreno GPU; comparative reporting identifies it as Adreno 735. | Adreno GPU; comparative reporting identifies it as Adreno 750. Published comparisons find stronger graphics performance, and reporting notes global illumination support in addition to ray tracing. |
| Modem and peak download figure | Snapdragon X70; Qualcomm lists a peak of 6.5 Gbps. | Snapdragon X75; Qualcomm lists a peak of 10 Gbps. |
| Image signal processor | 18-bit Spectra ISP. | Qualcomm’s product brief describes triple 18-bit ISP capabilities. |
| On-device AI | Qualcomm AI Engine; Qualcomm describes support for on-device generative AI models up to 10 billion parameters. | Qualcomm describes on-device generative AI capability, including models up to 10 billion parameters. |
| Process | 4 nm, according to Qualcomm’s product page. | Android Authority lists TSMC 4 nm N4P. A process label alone does not establish battery life or sustained speed. |
| Wireless platform | FastConnect 7800 and Wi-Fi 7 support. | FastConnect 7800 and Wi-Fi 7 support. |
Sources: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 product page, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 product page, Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 product brief, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 product brief, and Android Authority’s comparison.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The modem figures are platform peaks, not expected everyday speeds: carrier support, signal, and handset implementation affect actual throughput. Likewise, camera modes depend on the phone’s sensors and software. Check the specific handset’s feature list rather than assuming the chip alone enables a particular camera or AI feature.
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What published benchmark results show
Beebom’s 2025 comparison reports the following results. They are test figures for the devices and benchmark versions used by that publication, not fixed scores every phone with these chips will reproduce.
| Test | Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 single-core | 1,999 | 2,234 |
| Geekbench 6 multi-core | 5,273 | 6,985 |
| AnTuTu total | 1,523,930 | 2,063,041 |
| AnTuTu GPU subscore | 520,531 | 834,879 |
| Geekbench 6 GPU OpenCL | 8,838 | 14,540 |
Beebom says its 3DMark test on the Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro repeatedly crashed, so it used Geekbench GPU tests instead. See Beebom’s benchmark comparison for the test context.
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.
Peak scores and sustained performance are different questions
Android Authority’s June 2024 comparison used a Galaxy S24 as its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 reference and a POCO F6 for the 8s Gen 3. It found the 8 Gen 3 ahead in graphics, while the 8s Gen 3 maintained consistent performance in its stress test and approached the 8 Gen 3 toward the end. That result describes those phones and that test, not every handset. Read the Android Authority comparison.
PhoneArena’s comparison also reports Geekbench 6 and 3DMark Wild Life Extreme high and low results for the OnePlus 12, Motorola Edge 50 Ultra, and Honor 200 Pro. Those device-level examples underline why benchmark scores should be read alongside the phone model and test conditions. See PhoneArena’s handset comparison.
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.
- Single-core tests reflect burst performance in lightly threaded tasks; multi-core tests measure a different workload.
- GPU scores speak to graphics workloads, not automatically to gaming smoothness or long-session performance.
- Cooling, firmware, power settings, and benchmark version can change results. A chip name alone cannot predict which phone will sustain higher performance.
Which chip should you choose?
Choose a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 phone for the higher performance ceiling
If peak CPU and GPU output is your priority and phone price and other features are comparable, a phone with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is the stronger choice on the available specifications and published comparisons. Its higher listed clocks, additional performance core, stronger graphics results, and higher modem peak distinguish it from the 8s model.
Consider Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 for an upper-tier phone at a lower product tier
The 8s Gen 3 remains a capable platform for general use and gaming. It may make sense in a performance-oriented phone positioned below flagship models, but compare the complete devices rather than treating the chipset as a price or quality guarantee.
Compare the phone, not only the processor
Before choosing between two models, check their cooling design, battery, display, camera hardware, software support policy, memory configuration, regional model, and current price. A manufacturer may sell different configurations by region, and handset makers decide which platform features to implement. Comparative examples such as the POCO F6 and Galaxy S24 are tied to the cited test coverage; verify the exact regional variant before relying on a specification.
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