The naming convention for Qualcomm’s CPUs has been notoriously confusing, making it difficult to discern whether a CPU is actually an upgrade or a downgrade.
Amidst this confusion, two CPUs, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3, exhibit very similar performance despite belonging to different number series: one from the 8 Gen series and the other from the 7 Gen series.
So, how do these CPUs stack up against each other? Which one emerges as the winner, and by what margin? Let’s delve into this Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs 7+ Gen 3 comparison to find out.
Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 vs 7+ Gen 3
| Details | Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 | Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | March 2024 | March 2023 |
| Model Number | SM8635 | SM7675 |
| Process | 4nm TSMC | 4nm TSMC |
| CPU | 1x 3 GHz – Cortex-X4 4x 2.8 GHz – Cortex-A720 3x 2 GHz – Cortex-A520 | 1x 2.8 GHz – Cortex-X4 4x 2.6 GHz – Cortex-A720 3x 1.9 GHz – Cortex-A520 |
| Cores | 8 | 8 |
| Instruction set | ARMv9.2-A | ARMv9.2-A |
| TDP | 6W | 5.5W |
| GPU | Adreno 735 | Adreno 732 |
| GPU Architecture | Adreno 700 | Adreno 700 |
| GPU Frequency | 1100 MHz | 950 MHz |
| Neural processor (NPU) | Hexagon | Hexagon |
| Memory | LPDDR5X | LPDDR5X |
| Memory frequency | 4200 MHz | 4200 MHz |
| Max size | 24GB | 24GB |
| Storage type | UFS 4.0 | UFS 4.0 |
| Max display resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 3840 x 2160 |
| Max camera resolution | 1 x 200MP | 1 x 200MP |
| Video recording | 4K@60fps | 4k@60fps |
| Modem | Snapdragon X70 | Snapdragon X63 |
| 4G | LTE Cat. 22 | LTE Cat. 18 |
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Download speed | Up to 6500 Mbps | Up to 5000 Mbps |
| Upload Speed | Up to 3500 Mbps | Up to 3500 Mbps |
| Wi-Fi | 7 (Explore further) | 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.4 |
In several aspects, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 boasts improved specifications over the 7+ Gen 3, although the differences aren’t significant.
While the cores on the 7+ Gen 3 operate at a slightly lower frequency, the disparity isn’t substantial enough to categorize this CPU as significantly inferior to the 8 Gen 3.
Performance benchmarks will provide a clearer picture of the actual difference between the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and 7+ Gen 3.
You may also find the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 and 7200 interesting.
Performance Benchmarks
| Test | Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 | Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu | 1420000 to 1535000 | 1400000 to 1510000 |
| Single Core | 1920 | 1810 |
| Multi Core | 5120 | 4500 |
Please note that benchmark numbers can vary depending on the smartphones used. Phones equipped with faster UFS 4.0 storage, higher-speed RAM, and enhanced cooling systems to maintain CPU performance achieve higher benchmarks.
While benchmark results can fluctuate, the mentioned figures typically represent averages observed across smartphones using these processors.
Based on these numbers, it’s evident that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performs better, though the difference is typically around 10% or less.
It indicates that while the 7+ Gen 3 scores slightly lower, its performance remains commendable, especially considering Qualcomm positioned it as a mid-range CPU.
Everyday Performance
In everyday use, you’ll likely notice virtually no difference between these two CPUs.
Both are powerful and fall into the near-flagship category (though not quite at the peak), capable of handling any task effortlessly.
Whether it’s opening apps, switching between them, running heavy applications, or performing other common operations, these CPUs excel with minimal delay.
While RAM and storage speed also play a role, focusing solely on the CPUs reveals marginal differences in raw performance.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, being slightly more powerful, may offer a 5 to 7% speed advantage depending on the task, but this variance is negligible in everyday scenarios.
You can also check the Tensor G3 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 comparison.
Power Efficiency
Both CPUs are manufactured using a 4nm fabrication process and utilize identical cores, suggesting they should consume equal amounts of power. However, this isn’t entirely the case.
While both feature the same cores, the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 operates at a slightly lower frequency, typically 100-200 MHz less, and has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) that’s 0.5W lower than the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3.
As a result, the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 consumes less power than the 8s Gen 3, resulting in slightly better battery performance.
The difference in power efficiency between these two CPUs isn’t substantial, as it’s not a large margin like 500 MHz. It’s typically just 100-200 MHz. Therefore, the impact on battery life won’t be significant.
For instance, on a smartphone with a 5000 mAh battery, the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 could provide approximately 20 to 30 minutes of additional battery life compared to a phone equipped with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, assuming all other factors are identical between the devices.
Throttling and Heating Issues
Because both CPUs are manufactured by TSMC, they do a good job of maintaining a balanced approach between temperature management and performance.
However, in our throttling tests, we observed that the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 performs better. Over a 15-minute throttling test, the performance of the 8s Gen 3 only dropped to 86%, indicating a 14% decrease in performance. In contrast, the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 saw a performance drop to around 75%, which equals a 25% decrease.
These numbers can vary significantly depending on the smartphone model, as some manufacturers prioritize performance over temperature management, while others implement throttling to control heat.
Overall, in our tests, we have found that the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 generally throttles less compared to the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3.
Also, check the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 vs 7 Gen 3 comparison.
Gaming and Editing Performance
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 features slightly more powerful cores, a marginally better TDP, and a slightly more powerful GPU, resulting in slightly better gaming performance.
However, the difference in gaming performance is minimal, and most users may not notice a significant distinction.
Both CPUs are nearly flagship-level, capable of handling all games smoothly, including demanding titles like Genshin Impact. While the 8s Gen 3 may offer slightly better and more consistent frame rates, the 7+ Gen 3 remains competitive.
In heavier tasks such as video editing and rendering, the results are similarly close. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 can edit and render videos slightly faster.
For example, if the 8s Gen 3 takes 15 minutes to render a video under certain settings, the 7+ Gen 3 might take around 22 minutes.
Overall, while the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is slightly more powerful, the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 performs admirably close and offers comparable performance.
You might also want to check out the Dimensity 8300 vs 8300 Ultra comparison.
Conclusion: Which CPU is Better?
Without a doubt, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 stands out as the superior CPU. Positioned by Qualcomm as a flagship processor, it benefits from better support, including driver and app compatibility.
Nevertheless, the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 is remarkably close to the 8s Gen 3 in performance. Despite being labeled a mid-range CPU by the manufacturer, it competes closely with lower-tier flagship processors.
Ultimately, the deciding factor often comes down to pricing. If smartphones equipped with these CPUs are priced similarly, opting for the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 offers the best raw power.
However, if you find a smartphone with the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 at a lower price of 10% to 20% compared to the 8s Gen 3, the 7+ Gen 3 becomes an incredibly sensible choice.
It’s important to consider other factors such as camera quality, battery life, and personal preferences when making your decision.
Overall, both of these CPUs perform admirably and are capable of handling nearly every task with ease.
Also, check out the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 vs 695 comparison.
FAQs
1. What are the key differences between the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and the 7+ Gen 3?
The key differences include slightly higher core frequencies, better thermal design power (TDP), and a slightly more powerful GPU in the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, which translates to slightly better performance in gaming and heavy tasks.
2. Which CPU offers better gaming performance, Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 or 7+ Gen 3?
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 offers slightly better gaming performance with more consistent frame rates, but the difference is minimal, and both CPUs handle demanding games well.
3. Which CPU should I choose if the prices of the smartphones are similar?
If the prices are similar, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is the better choice due to its superior raw performance and better support for drivers and apps.
4. Is the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 worth considering if it is cheaper?
Absolutely. If you find a smartphone with the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 at a slightly lower price, it offers excellent value with performance close to the 8s Gen 3.
5. Are both CPUs capable of handling high-end tasks?
Yes, both the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and 7+ Gen 3 are capable of handling high-end tasks, making them suitable for a wide range of demanding applications.
That wraps up our Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 vs 7+ Gen 3 comparison. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to ask in the comments below.
Do you agree or disagree with our comparison? Share your insights and experiences with these CPUs.
