Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 brings flagship-grade performance, AI smarts, and gaming power to mid-range smartphones
What Is Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and Why It Matters
Launched in March 2024, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is a high-performance mobile chipset designed to bridge the gap between flagship and mid-range devices. It’s built on TSMC’s 4nm process and features an 8-core CPU architecture:
- 1x Cortex-X4 @ 3.0GHz (performance core)
- 4x Cortex-A720 @ 2.8GHz (balanced cores)
- 3x Cortex-A520 @ 2.0GHz (efficiency cores)
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This configuration delivers a 31% boost in CPU performance over its predecessor, making it ideal for multitasking, gaming, and AI-driven tasks. The Adreno 735 GPU supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing, Snapdragon Game Super Resolution, and Frame Motion Engine 2.0, ensuring smooth gameplay and realistic visuals.
The chipset also includes the Snapdragon X70 5G modem, offering download speeds up to 6.5Gbps, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4, making it future-ready for connectivity.
AI, Imaging, and Multimedia: Smarts Behind the Speed
One of the standout features of the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is its Hexagon NPU, which supports on-device generative AI and large language models like Gemini Nano and Llama 2. This enables features such as:
- Photo Expansion: Extending image backgrounds seamlessly
- AI Notes & Interpreter: Real-time transcription and translation
- Circle to Search: Visual search powered by AI
On the imaging front, the 18-bit Triple ISP supports up to 200MP camera sensors, 4K HDR video capture at 60fps, and real-time semantic segmentation of over 250 objects. This means smarter photography, better low-light performance, and enhanced video clarity.
Comparison Chart: Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 vs Rivals
| Feature | Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Dimensity 8300 |
| Process Node | 4nm (TSMC) | 4nm (TSMC) | 4nm (TSMC) |
| CPU Architecture | 1+4+3 (X4, A720, A520) | 1+5+2 (X4, A720, A520) | 1+3+4 (X4, A715, A510) |
| Max Clock Speed | 3.0GHz | 3.4GHz | 3.35GHz |
| GPU | Adreno 735 | Adreno 750 | Mali-G615 MC6 |
| AI Engine | Hexagon NPU | Hexagon NPU (Enhanced) | APU 780 |
| Camera Support | Up to 200MP | Up to 200MP | Up to 320MP |
| Video Capture | 4K @ 60fps | 8K @ 60fps | 4K @ 60fps |
| 5G Modem | Snapdragon X70 | Snapdragon X75 | MediaTek M80 |
| Wi-Fi & Bluetooth | Wi-Fi 7, BT 5.4 | Wi-Fi 7, BT 5.4 | Wi-Fi 6E, BT 5.3 |
| AnTuTu Score | ~1.48 million | ~2.05 million | ~1.45 million |
Phones Powered by Snapdragon 8s Gen 3
Several mid-range and upper-mid-range smartphones have adopted this chip, including:
- iQOO Neo 10R – Gaming-focused with 6400mAh battery
- Realme GT 6 – Flagship display and cooling system
- Xiaomi Poco F6 – High AnTuTu score and premium build
- Motorola Edge 50 Ultra – Flagship camera and design
- Xiaomi 14 Civi – Compact powerhouse with AI features
These devices offer flagship-like performance at prices ranging from ₹25,000 to ₹45,000, making them ideal for gamers, creators, and power users.
Final Thoughts: A Flagship Experience Without the Flagship Price
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is a strategic move by Qualcomm to democratize high-end performance. It brings AI smarts, gaming muscle, and camera brilliance to mid-range phones, making them more capable than ever. If you’re shopping for a phone that delivers flagship-level features without crossing the ₹50K mark, look for one powered by this chip. It’s not just a processor, it’s a performance revolution.
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