Compare Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, Elite, and Gen 5 processors: differences in specs, benchmarks, and who each chip is best for in smartphones.
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Over the past two years, the Snapdragon 8 series has not only grown more powerful but has also become significantly more confusing to understand. Following the 2024 release of the Snapdragon 8 Elite, the company introduced the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and then the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5—a more affordable alternative for the "premium mid-range" segment. With these names causing confusion, let's examine how these three processors differ in practice and in benchmarks.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is manufactured using TSMC's 3-nanometer N3P process. It features an eight-core architecture with two high-performance third-generation Oryon cores clocked at 4.61 GHz and six energy-efficient third-generation Oryon cores at 3.63 GHz. Graphics are handled by the Adreno 840, which supports ray tracing and the Snapdragon Elite Gaming feature set. The integrated Hexagon NPU supports what's called agentic AI, enabling advanced autonomous AI scenarios.
The chip works with LPDDR5X memory at up to 5.3 GHz and UFS 4.1 storage. Its camera system is built around a triple 20-bit Spectra ISP, supporting sensors up to 320 MP and 4K video recording at 120 frames per second, along with the professional APV codec. The Snapdragon X85 modem delivers peak download speeds of up to 12.5 Gbps and uploads of up to 3.7 Gbps.
In benchmarks, it confidently leads. In Geekbench, the processor scores 3,649 points in the single-core test and 10,682 in the multi-core test. In AnTuTu, the result exceeds 3.75 million points. In 3DMark Wild Life Extreme, it achieves a high score of 7,240 points, though its minimum performance under load is lower than its predecessor's, suggesting stability may depend on the device's cooling system.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite, introduced in 2024, is also built on a TSMC 3-nanometer process, but the N3E version. It features second-generation Oryon cores: two performance cores run at 4.32 GHz, while six efficiency cores operate at 3.53 GHz. Despite the older architecture generation, its high clock speeds allow it to outperform the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 in several tests.
The graphics subsystem, the Adreno 830, supports ray tracing and Qualcomm's gaming technologies. It uses LPDDR5X memory reaching 5.3 GHz, but storage is limited to the UFS 4.0 standard. The processor employs an 18-bit Spectra ISP capable of recording video up to 8K at 30 frames per second.
In Geekbench, the chip scores 3,026 points in single-core and 9,306 in multi-core tests. In AnTuTu, it reaches nearly 3 million points. In 3DMark, its minimum score of 4,155 points was the highest among the three processors, indicating potentially more stable performance under sustained load.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 is also built on the 3-nanometer N3P process. It uses third-generation Oryon cores but at lower frequencies: two performance cores run at 3.8 GHz, and six efficiency cores at 3.32 GHz. Graphics are handled by the Adreno 829, supporting ray tracing and Elite Gaming features.
The processor supports LPDDR5X memory up to 4.8 GHz and UFS 4.1 storage. Its camera capabilities are similar to the Elite Gen 5, including a 20-bit ISP and 4K/120fps recording, but without the advanced professional APV features. The Snapdragon X80 modem provides download speeds up to 10 Gbps.
In Geekbench tests, the chip scores 2,837 points in single-core and 9,352 in multi-core modes. In AnTuTu, the result is about 2.96 million points. In 3DMark, it achieves a high score of 5,009 points, with a minimum of 3,321.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is the undisputed leader in raw performance and AI capabilities. The Snapdragon 8 Elite remains powerful and even more stable under prolonged loads. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 is a compromise for more affordable devices, offering modern architecture but without the highest clock speeds.
The difference between them lies not only in benchmark numbers but also in positioning. The Elite Gen 5 is the choice for the most expensive flagships, the Elite for top-tier models from the previous generation, and the 8 Gen 5 is for devices that want to be called flagships but come at a noticeably lower price.