Tensor G3 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: Which CPU is Superior?

Tensor G3 powers the Google Pixel 8 lineup, while Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 was a flagship CPU in 2023 and is featured in numerous devices.

Both Tensor G3 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 continue to be utilized across various devices: Tensor G3 primarily in Google Pixel devices and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in many other Android devices.

Now, which of these two CPUs offers the best performance while maintaining temperature and throttling? Let’s find it out in this Google Tensor G3 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 comparison.

Google Tensor G3 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Comparison

While comparing their on-paper specifications, it’s evident that Tensor G3 excels in certain areas while Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 leads in others. Generally, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 boasts superior specifications in most aspects, although Tensor G3 outperforms in metrics such as core count and upload speed.

However, these specifications are only part of the picture; performance benchmarks will provide a clearer understanding.

Don’t forget to check out the issues with the Pixel 9 smartphones.

Performance Benchmarks

Please note that AnTuTu scores can vary depending on the smartphone and its cooling system. A phone equipped with a larger vapor chamber can help the CPU remain cooler, resulting in better performance and a higher AnTuTu score. Having faster RAM and storage also contributes to a higher AnTuTu score.

Therefore, while the overall score may vary depending on the specific phone model, these scores provide a useful average benchmark.

You can also check out the comparison between Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 and 7 Gen 3.

Power Efficiency

The manufacturing process, typically measured in nanometers (nm), is a primary factor influencing power efficiency. Both the Tensor G3 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 are manufactured using a 4nm fabrication process, suggesting similar efficiency levels.

However, real-world results often differ. Factors such as CPU frequency, core count, TDP (Thermal Design Power), and software and battery optimizations also play crucial roles in determining power efficiency.

Despite similar on-paper specifications, practical performance can vary significantly. For instance, due to its additional core and potential optimization challenges for performance and battery life, Tensor G3 delivers noticeably shorter battery life compared to Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

As an estimate, if a Google Pixel 8a lasts 4 hours with the Tensor G3 chip, it will extend to over 5 hours with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 under similar usage and settings.

This highlights the superior optimization of Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 compared to Tensor G3 in real-world scenarios.

Is Tensor G4 good for gaming and everyday use? Find out here.

Throttling and Heating Issues

As modern CPUs have become significantly more powerful, managing heat has become a common challenge. To keep CPU temperatures in check, smartphone manufacturers often use sizable vapor chambers.

However, if a CPU is not well-optimized, it will still generate a lot of heat, regardless of the vapor chamber’s size.

The Tensor G3, essentially an Exynos CPU made by Samsung, tends to struggle with heat management. Samsung CPUs are generally known for poor temperature control.

So, the Tensor G3 heats up and throttles significantly more than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

In our 15-minute throttling test, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 throttled to 86% of its maximum performance, meaning only a 14% performance downgrade. The graph remained green for this CPU, with the phone’s temperature at 40 degrees Celsius.

However, in the same 15-minute test, the Tensor G3 throttled to 61% of its maximum performance, indicating a 39% performance degradation, and the phone’s temperature reached 42 degrees Celsius.

We didn’t have the opportunity to test the Tensor G3 in a phone with a larger vapor chamber, as this CPU is only available in Pixel devices, which are not known for having excellent cooling systems.

In conclusion, while both CPUs heat up during heavy tasks, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 maintains better performance and experiences less throttling compared to the Tensor G3.

Also, check out the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 vs. Snapdragon 695 comparison.

Everyday Performance

In AnTuTu CPU benchmarks, Tensor G3 scores 355,000 while Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 scores 393,000. Although the difference isn’t massive, it is significant.

Both Tensor G3 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 deliver impressive everyday performance, handling tasks such as multitasking, camera use, and moderate gaming seamlessly.

However, when you push Tensor G3 with demanding activities like frequent gaming or recording 4K videos for over 20 minutes, you will notice significant heating and performance degradation, potentially leading to warnings like ‘Your device is too hot.‘

In contrast, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 continues to handle these tasks efficiently, becoming warm but not excessively hot like Tensor G3.

So, both CPUs perform well for everyday tasks, but Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 maintains a performance edge under heavy workloads.

Gaming Performance

In AnTuTu benchmarks, the GPU scores were approximately 600,000 for Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and around 370,000 for Tensor G3, which highlights a significant difference in performance.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 features a more powerful and optimized GPU, despite Tensor G3’s promising specifications on paper.

For light to moderate gaming, both CPUs perform similarly well, as both handle most games without issues.

However, when it comes to demanding titles, Tensor G3 shows noticeable frame drops that Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 does not exhibit.

While prolonged gaming sessions may eventually cause frame drops on Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, Tensor G3 struggles to sustain heavy gaming without significant performance degradation.

So, it wouldn’t be inaccurate to say that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performs exceptionally well in gaming and delivers significantly better results than the Tensor G3.

AI Capabilities

AI is a significant trend, and in this area, Tensor G3 has the upper hand.

While both CPUs use NPUs (Neural Processing Units) for AI capabilities, Tensor G3 is specially designed with enhanced AI features, benefiting from Google’s extensive expertise in AI. Due to better integration of AI at both the software and hardware levels, Tensor G3 performs exceptionally well.

While the effectiveness of AI also depends on how manufacturers integrate it, Google’s leadership in AI ensures that their CPUs, like Tensor G3, possess more advanced AI capabilities.

How is the Pixel 8a’s battery life, performance, and software experience? Click here to find out.

Conclusion: Which is Better?

By now, it should be clear that Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is significantly better than Google Tensor G3, even though Tensor G3 is 11 months newer.

However, it’s important to note that Tensor G3 is not a bad processor. It performs well for everyday tasks and is well-suited for normal to moderate use, as it was not designed with gaming enthusiasts in mind.

There are scenarios where more power is needed, and that’s where Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 takes a significant lead. Additionally, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is well-optimized for battery consumption.

Therefore, between these two CPUs, we recommend Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Just ensure that the phone you choose with this CPU is well-optimized in all aspects.

FAQs

So, that concludes our comparison between Google Tensor G3 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. If you still have any questions or doubts, please feel free to ask us in the comment section below.

We’d also love to hear your thoughts and whether you agree or disagree with this comparison.