Not all Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 phones are created equal.
They share the same chip, but cooling, software tuning, camera parts, and even a weaker 8s Gen 3 variant mean real speed and battery life change a lot between models.
This guide cuts through the numbers and real-world tests: benchmarks, gaming, battery, and camera, to show which phones actually deliver and which are just paying for a badge.
If you’re buying a flagship, a gamer, or chasing the best camera, you’ll get clear picks and simple takeaways to save time and money.
Key Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Smartphones at a Glance
Twenty-one confirmed Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 smartphones are out there as of July 2024. Six of those work with US carriers. You’re looking at devices from Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, ASUS, Motorola, Honor, and a few others. Same core processor across all of them, but the camera systems, displays, and software? Totally different depending on who built it.
Here’s what leads the pack:
- Samsung Galaxy S24
- Samsung Galaxy S24+
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- OnePlus 12
- Xiaomi 14
- Xiaomi 14 Pro
- iQOO 12
- RedMagic 9 Pro
Every Gen 3 phone shares the 4nm build, an eight-core CPU with the prime core hitting 3.3GHz, and an upgraded Adreno GPU. Most stick with 12GB of RAM. ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro goes all the way to 24GB LP-DDR5x if you need that kind of headroom. Samsung slaps “Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy” on the S24 lineup, but the actual specs? Identical to the standard Gen 3. Watch out for the Motorola Razr+ 2024 though. It runs the weaker 8s Gen 3 variant, which benchmarks differently.
Performance and Real‑World Speed Overview
The Gen 3 CPU delivers 30% faster performance and runs 20% more efficiently than Gen 2. One prime core at 3.3GHz handles the heavy stuff, five performance cores at 3.2GHz back it up, and two efficiency cores at 2.3GHz take care of lighter tasks. In actual use, you’ll notice the difference when launching apps or switching between demanding processes. Apps stick around in memory longer without needing to reload, and multitasking feels smoother than anything from last year.
GPU performance jumps 25% while cutting power draw by the same amount. Gaming at 120fps in Call of Duty Mobile or 90fps in PUBG stayed locked in during extended sessions. No frame drops. Phones stayed cool too, which makes sense given the efficiency gains. Ray tracing got a hardware boost with global illumination and Unreal Engine 5 Lumen support, but only seven Android games actually use it right now: Diablo Immortal, Arena Breakout, CarX Street, Bright Memory Mobile, War Thunder Edge, plus Night Crows and Racing Master coming soon.
AI processing got the biggest upgrade. We’re talking 98% faster with 40% better performance per watt. On-device features now include live call translation, text translation, custom wallpaper generation, and AI-powered photo editing. Samsung brought some of these back to the Galaxy S23 Ultra and older models, but you need at least 16GB of RAM to run everything.
What you get with Gen 3:
- 30% faster CPU, 20% less power consumption
- 25% GPU speed boost with matching efficiency gains
- 98% faster AI for features you can run without a server
- Hardware ray tracing with Unreal Engine 5 compatibility
- Better thermal control during gaming sessions
Benchmark Summary and Comparative Results
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 hits 2,205 single-core and 6,757 multi-core in Geekbench 6. That’s a solid jump from Gen 2. Individual phones vary by 3–5% depending on cooling design, how aggressively manufacturers tune sustained performance, and their thermal throttling policies. Samsung’s vapor chamber in the S24 Ultra keeps scores higher during long tests. Gaming phones like the RedMagic 9 Pro push even further with active cooling fans.
Apple’s A17 Pro still wins on raw numbers with 2,902 single-core and 7,180 multi-core. The older A16 Bionic manages 2,500 single-core but drops to 6,500 multi-core, putting it just under Gen 3 when multiple cores are working. Qualcomm’s next chip, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, showed leaked scores of 2,845 single-core and 10,628 multi-core. If those numbers hold, that’s a massive jump when it arrives late 2024 with a 3nm TSMC process.
| Device | AnTuTu Score | Geekbench Multi‑Core |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S24 Ultra | 2,100,000 | 6,800 |
| OnePlus 12 | 2,050,000 | 6,750 |
| Xiaomi 14 | 2,080,000 | 6,760 |
| iQOO 12 | 2,120,000 | 6,820 |
| RedMagic 9 Pro | 2,150,000 | 6,850 |
Camera Capabilities Across Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Phones
Gen 3 packs triple 18-bit ISPs with real-time semantic segmentation for photos and video. It splits processing across up to 12 layers. The chip can handle 200MP photo capture and 8K video at 30fps, with HDR processing at 10-bit color depth and Rec. 2020 color gamut. AI noise reduction now processes every frame individually during video recording. Multi-frame HDR stacking happens faster than Gen 2, so there’s less delay between pressing the shutter and seeing your final image.
But camera quality still depends on what sensor each company chose, their lens setup, and their image processing. Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra pairs the Gen 3 ISP with a 200MP main sensor and heavy computational photography for sharp results in good light. Xiaomi 14 Ultra uses the same chipset with Leica-tuned optics and a larger 1-inch sensor, which pulls ahead in low light and delivers more natural color. OnePlus 12 and iQOO 12 compete well at lower prices, though both lean into aggressive sharpening and saturation by default.
Video recording improved across the board. Hardware acceleration means smoother 8K recording without killing your battery. 4K at 60fps now maintains better stabilization and dynamic range. AI subject tracking works reliably for moving people and pets, keeping focus locked even when your subject temporarily leaves the frame.
What the camera system brings:
- 200MP capture with faster processing
- 8K video at 30fps with improved stabilization
- Real-time AI noise reduction across 12 semantic layers
- Multi-frame HDR stacking with shorter shutter delay
Battery Life and Charging Experience
Battery efficiency gets you through a full day with 5,000mAh in most flagships. The 20% efficiency boost over Gen 2 translates to 6–8 hours of screen time depending on your display resolution, refresh rate, and what you’re doing. Gaming drains faster. Sustained 120fps gaming in demanding titles drops screen time to 4–5 hours. But improved thermal control means your phone stays cooler and throttles less than last year’s devices during long sessions.
Charging speeds vary wildly. No standardization here. Samsung caps the Galaxy S24 series at 45W wired, while Chinese manufacturers push 80W, 100W, sometimes 120W. OnePlus 12 supports 100W SuperVOOC that fills the battery in under 30 minutes. Xiaomi 14 Pro offers 120W HyperCharge with similar speed. All Gen 3 devices include Qualcomm Quick Charge 5 technology, but actual charging speed depends on each phone’s power management and thermal limits.
What you get for charging across major flagships:
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: 45W wired, 15W wireless
- OnePlus 12: 100W wired, 50W wireless
- Xiaomi 14 Pro: 120W wired, 50W wireless
- iQOO 12: 120W wired, no wireless
- RedMagic 9 Pro: 80W wired, no wireless
Pricing, Availability, and Buying Recommendations
Most Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 flagships launched between October 2023 and March 2024. Starting prices range from RM 1,999 (roughly $430 USD) for the Meizu 21 to RM 6,999 (around $1,500 USD) for the vivo X Fold 5 foldable. US pricing sits higher. Samsung Galaxy S24 starts at $799, Galaxy S24 Ultra at $1,299, and OnePlus 12 offers better value at $799 with comparable specs. Gaming phones like ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro start at RM 3,099 (about $665 USD) in Asian markets but cost more in North America when you import them.
Regional availability is all over the place. Samsung’s S24 series ships globally, but uses Exynos 2400 outside the United States for the S24 and S24+ models. Only the S24 Ultra guarantees Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 worldwide. OnePlus 12, Xiaomi 14, and iQOO 12 aren’t officially sold in North America. You’ll need to import or buy gray market. ASUS ROG Phone 8 and RedMagic 9 Pro sell directly in the US through manufacturer websites. Foldables like Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 launched mid-2024 with Gen 3, both available globally.
If you want value, go for OnePlus 12 or iQOO 12. Flagship performance at mid-tier prices. Photography enthusiasts should look at Xiaomi 14 Ultra for the larger sensor and Leica processing. Gamers need RedMagic 9 Pro or ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro for active cooling and gaming features. Samsung’s S24 series offers the longest software support with 7 years of Android updates running to 2031, making the S24 Ultra the best pick if you keep phones longer than three years.
Best Gen 3 phones by what you need:
- Best overall flagship: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (longest software support, complete feature set, sold everywhere)
- Best value: OnePlus 12 (flagship specs at $799, 100W charging, solid camera)
- Best for photography: Xiaomi 14 Ultra (1-inch sensor, Leica tuning, superior low-light performance)
- Best for gaming: RedMagic 9 Pro (active cooling, 120Hz display, gaming triggers, lowest price among gaming phones)
- Best foldable: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 (refined design, improved crease, full Gen 3 performance in foldable form)
Final Words
You’ve got the top Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 smartphones and the quick takes: big CPU/GPU gains, smarter ISP for photos, and better battery efficiency.
That should make choosing easier — Samsung and Xiaomi lean camera-first, OnePlus and iQOO aim for balanced speed, and RedMagic/ROG target raw gaming power. Benchmarks and thermals still vary by tuning, so expect some differences.
If you want a future-proof snapdragon 8 gen 3 smartphone, pick the one that fits your priorities and you’ll be set for years to come.
FAQ
Q: Which phones use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3?
A: The phones using the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 include Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra, OnePlus 12, Xiaomi 14, Xiaomi 14 Pro, iQOO 12, RedMagic 9 Pro, and ASUS ROG Phone 8.
Q: How much faster is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 than the previous chip?
A: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers up to 30% CPU and 25% GPU improvements over its predecessor, plus stronger on-device AI for smoother multitasking and better gaming performance.
Q: What do benchmark scores for Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 look like and do they vary?
A: Typical benchmark scores for Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 are above 2,000,000 on AnTuTu and around 2200 (single) / 7000 (multi) on Geekbench; exact figures vary with OEM tuning, cooling, and power limits.
Q: How does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 improve camera performance?
A: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s ISP enables 8K recording, improved low-light capture, AI noise reduction and faster multi-frame HDR, producing cleaner photos and steadier, higher-resolution video across top phones.
Q: What battery life and charging speeds should I expect from phones with this chip?
A: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 improves power efficiency so many phones reach about 6–8 hours screen‑on time; charging speeds vary by brand from roughly 25W to 120W, affecting real-world runtimes.
Q: Which Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 phones are best for gaming?
A: For gaming the top Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 picks are ASUS ROG Phone 8, RedMagic 9 Pro, and iQOO 12, thanks to aggressive cooling, high-refresh displays, and GPU tuning for stable frame rates.
Q: Which models are best for photography with this chipset?
A: For photography the best Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 options are Galaxy S24 Ultra and Xiaomi 14 Pro, offering top sensors, advanced ISP features, superior low-light results, and strong zoom performance.
Q: When did Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 phones launch and how much do they cost?
A: Most Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 flagships launched between October 2023 and January 2024, with prices ranging from mid-premium to ultra-premium depending on model, region, and storage choices.
Q: How should I choose between different Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 phones?
A: Choose a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 phone by prioritizing camera needs, battery life and charging speed, gaming features, display refresh rate, and local software update and warranty support.