Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 vs 8s Gen 3: Which Chip Leads in Speed?

The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 is a recently launched SoC aimed at the upper-mid-range segment, while the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is an affordable flagship chipset introduced earlier in 2024. Despite their different market positions, smartphones powered by these two processors are priced similarly, with some devices using the 7 Gen 4 actually costing more.

This raises the question: should buyers opt for the newer Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 or the slightly older but still powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3? To answer this, we compare their specifications, benchmark scores, and other key features.

Specification Comparison

Snapdragon 7 Gen 4

• Announced: May 2025
• Process: 4nm (TSMC)
• CPU: 1x 2.8GHz Cortex-A720, 4x 2.4GHz Cortex-A720, 3x 1.84GHz Cortex-A520
• GPU: Adreno 722 with Snapdragon Elite Gaming
• NPU: Qualcomm Hexagon
• Memory: LPDDR5x up to 4.2GHz
• Storage: UFS 4.0
• Camera: Qualcomm Spectra triple AI ISP (12-bit), up to 200MP single camera, 4K/60fps video, 1080p/120fps slow-motion
• Connectivity: Snapdragon 5G modem (sub-6 GHz) with up to 4.2Gbps download, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0

Snapdragon 8s Gen 3

• Announced: March 2024
• Process: 4nm (TSMC)
• CPU: 1x 3GHz Cortex-X4, 4x 2.8GHz Cortex-A720, 3x 2GHz Cortex-A520
• GPU: Adreno 735 with Snapdragon Elite Gaming and hardware-accelerated ray tracing
• NPU: Qualcomm Hexagon
• Memory: LPDDR5x up to 4.2GHz
• Storage: UFS 4.0
• Camera: Qualcomm Spectra triple ISP (18-bit), up to 200MP single camera, 4K/60fps video, 1080p/240fps slow-motion
• Connectivity: Snapdragon X70 5G modem (sub-6 GHz) with up to 6.5Gbps download, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Benchmark Performance

Benchmark tests were conducted on two smartphones: Vivo T4 Pro with Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 and Poco F6 with Snapdragon 8s Gen 3.

Geekbench Scores

The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 outperforms the 7 Gen 4 by a significant margin. It scores 1,932 in single-core and 4,986 in multi-core tests, compared to 1,252 and 3,620 respectively for the 7 Gen 4. This translates to 54% higher single-core and 38% higher multi-core performance for the 8s Gen 3.

AnTuTu Scores

In AnTuTu benchmarks, the 8s Gen 3 achieves a total score of 1,505,656, well above the 1,010,864 scored by the 7 Gen 4. The 8s Gen 3 shows a 27% higher CPU score and a 60% higher GPU score, along with better memory and user experience ratings.

Key Differences

Although both chipsets use a 1+4+3 CPU core setup, the cores in the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 are more powerful and run at higher clock speeds. The 8s Gen 3’s GPU, the Adreno 735, supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing, enhancing gaming visuals beyond what the Adreno 722 in the 7 Gen 4 offers.

The image processing capabilities also differ. The 8s Gen 3 features an 18-bit ISP with advanced functions like semantic segmentation and supports higher resolution zero shutter lag, while the 7 Gen 4 has a 12-bit ISP. Video recording capabilities favor the 8s Gen 3 as well, with 240fps slow-motion at 1080p, double the 120fps offered by the 7 Gen 4.

In connectivity, the 8s Gen 3 boasts a superior 5G modem with faster peak download speeds, while the 7 Gen 4 supports a newer Bluetooth version. Both support Wi-Fi 7 with the same peak speeds.

Conclusion: Which Chip Is Better?

The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 clearly leads in raw performance with faster CPU and GPU, advanced gaming features, and superior camera capabilities. Its connectivity advantages also make it a stronger choice overall. While the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 offers a newer Bluetooth standard, this alone does not outweigh the benefits of the 8s Gen 3.

For users seeking better performance and enhanced multimedia experience, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 remains the preferred option over the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4.