Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: Which is the Better Flagship Processor?
Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: Which is the better chip?
Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 in May 2023, as a more power-efficient version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, on the other hand, is still in development, but is expected to be released in early 2024.
So, which chip is the better choice? Let's take a look at their specifications and benchmark scores to find out.
Here is a comparison of the two processors:
| Feature | Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Kryo 680, up to 3.2 GHz | Kryo 700, up to 3.2 GHz |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 740 |
| ISP | Spectra 6xx | Spectra 7xx |
| NPU | Hexagon 710 | Hexagon 720 |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 | 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Manufacturing process | 4nm | 4nm |
As you can see, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 has a slight edge over the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 in terms of CPU and GPU performance. However, the real difference lies in the new ISP and NPU. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2's Spectra 7xx ISP is capable of capturing 200MP images and 8K HDR video, while the Hexagon 720 NPU is designed for advanced AI tasks such as image recognition and natural language processing.
In terms of stability, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is also the better choice. The new chip uses a new thermal management system that helps to keep it cooler even under heavy load. This means that you can expect longer battery life and less throttling when gaming or using other demanding apps.
So, which processor is the better choice for you? If you're looking for the absolute best performance, then the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is the way to go. However, if you're looking for a more balanced chip that offers good performance, battery life, and heat management, then the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 is a great option.
Benchmark scores
Here are the benchmark scores of the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2:
| Benchmark | Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 5 | 1325 (single-core), 4223 (multi-core) | 1493 (single-core), 4800 (multi-core) |
| AnTuTu 9 | 1055K | 1282K |
| 3DMark Wild Life | 9450 | 10800 |
As you can see, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 has a slight edge over the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 in terms of benchmark scores. However, the real-world performance difference between the two chips is likely to be smaller.
Which chip is the better choice?
Ultimately, the best chip for you will depend on your needs and budget. If you are looking for the best possible performance, then the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is the better choice. However, if you are looking for a more power-efficient chip, then the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 is a good option.
Here is a table summarizing the pros and cons of each chip:
| Chip | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 | More power-efficient | Slightly lower performance |
| Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Better performance | More power-hungry |