Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is the stronger chip overall on the specifications and aggregated benchmarks available: it has a newer CPU and GPU platform, a 4 nm process, and higher reported CPU and AnTuTu results. The Snapdragon 870 does list a higher maximum prime-core clock—3.2 GHz versus 3.0 GHz—but that single figure does not make it faster overall. Results vary across benchmark sources and phones, so treat them as comparisons, not guaranteed scores for a particular handset.
Specifications at a glance
| Specification | Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 | Snapdragon 870 |
|---|---|---|
| Announcement | March 18, 2024; Qualcomm announcement | January 18, 2021; Qualcomm announcement |
| Manufacturing process | 4 nm, according to Qualcomm’s product brief | 7 nm, according to Qualcomm’s product brief |
| CPU | 1 prime core up to 3.0 GHz, 4 performance cores up to 2.8 GHz, and 3 efficiency cores up to 2.0 GHz | Kryo 585; Qualcomm’s announcement specifies a prime core up to 3.2 GHz |
| GPU | Adreno 735; Qualcomm lists hardware-accelerated ray tracing and Vulkan 1.3 | Adreno 650; Qualcomm lists Vulkan 1.1 |
| Memory platform support | LP-DDR5X up to 4200 MHz and up to 24 GB density, per Qualcomm’s brief | LPDDR5, according to NanoReview’s comparison |
| Modem | Snapdragon X70 | Snapdragon X55 |
Specifications describe platform support, not necessarily what a phone maker enables or installs. Qualcomm notes that some 8s Gen 3 features may depend on carrier and OEM selection. Check the exact handset and regional variant for its RAM, supported network bands, and available features. A smaller listed process is a platform distinction; by itself, it does not guarantee longer battery life.
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Which chip is faster in benchmarks?
Both benchmark aggregations in the comparison favor the 8s Gen 3, but their reported totals differ substantially. Keep each publisher’s results separate: the test pools and methods are not presented as one controlled, same-phone comparison.
| Benchmark and source | Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 | Snapdragon 870 | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu 11 — NanoReview, accessed 2026 | 1,797,821 | 1,010,069 | Comparison-page results based on 287 and 102 tests, respectively |
| AnTuTu — 91Mobiles, accessed 2026 | 1,815,619 | 735,714 | A separate publisher’s reported comparison; not directly interchangeable with NanoReview’s figures |
| Geekbench 6 CPU — NanoReview, accessed 2026 | 1,923 single-core; 5,179 multi-core | 1,298 single-core; 3,520 multi-core | Based on 64 and 34 tests, respectively |
| Geekbench 6 CPU — 91Mobiles, accessed 2026 | 2,003 single-core; 5,094 multi-core | 1,019 single-core; 3,384 multi-core | Reported by 91Mobiles; scores differ from NanoReview’s aggregation |
| 3DMark Wild Life Extreme — NanoReview, accessed 2026 | 3,116; 82% listed stability | 1,224; 99% listed stability | Peak score and listed stability are distinct measures |
These are publisher-compiled results, not scores Qualcomm guarantees for every phone. The comparison pages do not establish a single controlled test using matched handsets, so the figures support a broad direction rather than an exact performance margin. The 3DMark figures also illustrate why peak performance and sustained behavior should not be treated as the same thing.
#1 Best Overall
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Why the 870’s 3.2 GHz figure does not settle the comparison
The 870’s cited 3.2 GHz maximum prime-core clock is numerically higher than the 8s Gen 3’s 3.0 GHz maximum. But the chips use different CPU configurations: Qualcomm lists one prime, four performance, and three efficiency cores for the 8s Gen 3, while its cited 870 announcement identifies the Kryo 585 prime core and its maximum frequency. A maximum clock alone does not describe performance across single-core tasks, multi-core work, graphics, or sustained use. The Geekbench 6 aggregates listed above favor the 8s Gen 3 in both single-core and multi-core results.
What the platform differences mean in use
CPU and everyday responsiveness
The 8s Gen 3’s newer, explicitly specified three-tier core arrangement is paired with higher aggregate Geekbench 6 scores in both cited comparisons. That makes it the better-supported choice for CPU performance on the evidence here, though an individual phone’s software, power settings, and cooling can affect what users experience.
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.
Graphics and gaming
Qualcomm’s briefs identify Adreno 735 for the 8s Gen 3 and Adreno 650 for the 870, with the newer brief listing Vulkan 1.3 and hardware-accelerated ray tracing, compared with Vulkan 1.1 in the 870 brief. Those are platform capabilities, not a promise of a particular frame rate. Game version, operating system, handset cooling, and OEM performance settings can all affect results; use tests for the exact phone and game when gaming performance is the deciding factor.
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Qualcomm’s 8s Gen 3 brief lists LP-DDR5X support up to 4200 MHz and up to 24 GB density, while NanoReview identifies LPDDR5 for the 870. These are platform-level specifications: a phone may ship with less RAM or a different implementation. The X70 and X55 modem generations likewise distinguish the platforms, but network support depends on the phone’s bands, regional SKU, carrier, and implementation.
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.
How to choose between phones using these chips
- For a new device focused on performance or newer platform features: prefer a phone with Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, all else equal. The specification and benchmark comparisons favor it overall.
- If considering an 870 phone: judge the complete handset and its price rather than relying on its 3.2 GHz prime-core maximum. Cooling, memory configuration, software, and device condition matter.
- For gaming or sustained workloads: seek results for the exact model, game or workload, software version, and power mode. A chipset-level aggregate cannot predict every phone’s sustained behavior.
- For connectivity or memory needs: verify the exact regional phone specification, including enabled memory configuration and supported carrier bands.
Qualcomm announced the 8s Gen 3 on March 18, 2024, and the 870 on January 18, 2021. That generation gap helps explain the newer platform components, but it does not substitute for checking the specific phone you plan to buy.
Quick Recap
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