🔥 Introduction:
The Snapdragon 8 Elite is Qualcomm’s fresh attempt to redefine flagship performance in 2025. While most users are busy chasing “Gen” numbers, this chip sneaked in with raw power, intelligent AI upgrades, and a focus on thermal efficiency, something bloggers rarely talk about.
Unlike the mainstream Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, the 8 Elite caters to gaming phones, high-refresh-rate displays, and power users who demand long-lasting performance under pressure. But is it just another repackaged SoC? Let’s dive deep.
🧠 Architecture & Core Specs
- Fabrication Process: 4nm (TSMC N4P)
- CPU Setup:
- 1x Cortex-X4 Prime Core @ 3.4GHz
- 4x Performance Cores @ 2.8GHz
- 3x Efficiency Cores @ 2.0GHz
- GPU: Adreno 750 Elite (custom clock boost)
- AI Engine: 8th Gen Hexagon NPU with local LLM support
- ISP: Triple 18-bit Spectra ISP with AI video enhancements
- Modem: Snapdragon X75 5G (mmWave + sub-6GHz)
🔍 Unique Angle: Qualcomm markets the 8 Elite as “AI-prepped for real-time processing”, allowing on-device Stable Diffusion and ChatGPT-like models — a major leap not covered by most mainstream bloggers. (Snapdragon)
📊 Snapdragon 8 Elite Antutu Score: Dimensity 9400
| Processor | Antutu v10 Score | Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core) | Thermal Throttle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snapdragon 8 Elite | 2,231,000+ | ~7,100 | ⚠️ Moderate (6% drop) |
| Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | 1,990,000+ | ~6,600 | ⚠️ Higher (9-12%) |
| Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 (Rumored) | 2,400,000+ | ~7,500 | ❓ Unknown |
| Dimensity 9400 | 2,200,000+ | ~7,200 | ✅ Better sustained |
🔍 Real-World Insight: Despite not being Gen 4, the 8 Elite holds its ground in gaming and real-world thermal tests. Most reviews skip these sustained benchmarks, but they matter more than peak scores.
For why Snapdragon 8 Elite vs Dimensity 9400.
🔍 Blog-Exclusive Take: The 8 Gen 4 may beat 8 Elite in numbers, but real-world devices may suffer thermal throttling with Gen 4 due to aggressive architecture. Snapdragon 8 Elite might actually be more efficient for Indian summers and gaming phones under ₹60K.
⚔️ Competitors of 8 Elite in 2025
🟦 MediaTek Dimensity 9400
- Closer in performance
- Better thermal control
- Found in value-flagships like iQOO 13 Pro, Redmi K80 Pro
🍎 Apple A18 Pro (iPhone 17 Pro)
- Better single-core
- Lacks Android flexibility
- Not for multitasking enthusiasts
🟩 Exynos 2500 (Galaxy S25 Series)
- Good AI & efficiency
- Still behind Elite in GPU
🔍 Missing Point Most Blogs Ignore: While Gen 4 and A18 Pro win raw benchmarks, Snapdragon’8 Elite offers a balance of AI, camera ISP, and long-term performance. Especially important for markets like India, where thermals make or break the experience.
📱 Snapdragon 8 Elite Phones(Confirmed & Expected)
- ASUS ROG Phone 9
- Oneplus 13S
- RedMagic 10 Pro
- iQOO 13 (non-Pro variant)
- Realme GT 7 Elite Edition
- POCO F7 GT (expected)
🔍 These phones are expected to focus on gaming, 165Hz+ displays, larger vapor cooling chambers, and long battery life — something Snapdragon 8 Gen 4-based phones might compromise due to high thermal output.
✅ Final Verdict: Should You Care About?
Absolutely, yes. The Snapdragon 8 Elite fills a much-needed gap in the 2025 SoC lineup. It offers:
- Better sustained performance than Gen 3
- Smarter AI than older Snapdragon chips
- More efficiency than upcoming 8 Gen 4 (in real-world scenarios)
If you’re planning to buy a flagship under ₹60,000 in India this year, look for the Snapdragon 8 Elite instead of waiting for an overpriced Gen 4 phone with heating issues.
📌 Most Important FAQs
❓1. Is Snapdragon 8 Elite better than Snapdragon 8 Gen 3?
Yes, Snapdragon 8 Elite offers better sustained performance, enhanced GPU clock speeds, and improved AI processing, making it a mid-cycle upgrade over Gen 3.
❓2. What is the Antutu score of Snapdragon 8 Elite?
The Snapdragon 8 Elite scores around 2.2 to 2.3 million on Antutu v10, outperforming Gen 3 by 5-7%.
❓3. Is Snapdragon’8 Elite a rebranded Snapdragon’8 Gen 3?
No. While it is based on Gen 3 architecture, the Elite edition features higher binning, better thermal management, and optimized GPU drivers.
❓4. Which phones use Snapdragon 8 Elite?
Currently, phones like the ASUS ROG Phone 9, iQOO 13, RedMagic 10 Pro, and POCO F7 GT are either confirmed or rumored to feature Snapdragon 8 Elite.
❓5. Is Snapdragon 8 Elite better than Dimensity 9400?
In peak gaming and AI tools, yes. But Dimensity 9400 is more thermally efficient and better in camera AI features.
❓6. Is Snapdragon 8 Elite the latest Snapdragon processor?
No. Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is the next-gen chip expected in late 2025, built on Nuvia cores and 3nm architecture.
❓7. Why did Qualcomm launch an ‘Elite’ version instead of Gen 4 directly?
To bridge the performance gap between Gen 3 and Gen 4, Qualcomm launched Snapdragon 8 Elite as a premium refresh for 2025 flagships without a full architectural overhaul.
❓8. What’s the difference between Snapdragon 8 Elite and Snapdragon 8 Gen 4?
- Snapdragon 8 Elite uses Cortex cores, built on TSMC 4nm.
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 uses custom Nuvia cores, built on 3nm, and offers faster AI and better power efficiency — but it’s not available widely yet and has heating concerns in early tests.
❓9. Does Snapdragon 8 Elite support on-device AI tools like Gemini Nano or ChatGPT?
Yes. It can run LLMs locally, including Gemini Nano, Stable Diffusion, and real-time translation — thanks to its Hexagon Gen 8 NPU.
❓10. Can Snapdragon 8 Elite handle 8K video recording smoothly?
Yes. It supports 8K at 30fps with EIS and improved thermal throttle control, making it smoother than Gen 3 under prolonged 8K capture.
❓11. Is Snapdragon 8 Elite good for emulators and high-refresh gaming (165Hz+)?
Absolutely. With optimized Adreno 750 Elite GPU, it’s ideal for AAA emulation and 165Hz AMOLED gaming — especially on gaming-focused phones like ROG and RedMagic.
❓12. Which Snapdragon chip is best for battery life in 2025?
Snapdragon 8 Elite offers moderate battery gains, but Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and Dimensity 9400 may be better in pure endurance. Elite balances power with efficiency.
❓13. Is Snapdragon 8 Elite only for gaming phones?
No. While gaming phones are first adopters, flagship killers and premium flagships (like iQOO and POCO) are also adopting it for its AI and imaging boosts.
❓14. Does Snapdragon 8 Elite support satellite communication?
Yes. It includes next-gen satellite support for emergency messaging and SOS, depending on phone OEM and region.
❓15. Is Snapdragon 8 Elite worth buying in India?
Yes, especially if your budget is ₹50,000 to ₹65,000, as phones with this chip offer Gen 4-like performance without the high cost or heat issues.