The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 has quietly become the go-to choice for brands looking to offer near-flagship performance without the sky-high pricing of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. In 2025, it will power several mid-premium and upper mid-range phones in India, combining AI smarts, gaming-grade GPU, and stellar efficiency.
While most blogs give you just the specs, we’re diving into real-world value, hidden features, heating tests, frame drops, and user-focused details that 91Mobiles & others often miss. Let’s decode the best Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 phones in India you can buy right now!
✅ What Makes Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 Special?
Before diving into the phones, here’s why this chipset stands out:
🔧 4nm TSMC Process: Delivers flagship-grade efficiency with excellent thermal management.
🧠 AI Engine (AI Hub Support): Brings AI camera, voice, and UI features to phones under ₹40K.
🎮 Adreno 735 GPU: Offers smooth 60fps gaming in titles like BGMI, CODM, and Genshin.
📱 Snapdragon Seamless Support: Seamless connectivity across Android + Windows ecosystem.
⚡ Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4: Future-ready for India’s next-gen network infrastructure.
🔧 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 AnTuTu Score Benchmark Breakdown:
- Total Score: 1,523,930
- CPU: 391,196
- GPU: 520,531
- Memory: 344,714
- UX: 267,489
This performance positions the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 as a strong contender in the upper mid-range segment, offering capabilities that rival the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in many aspects. Beebom
📱 Top Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 Phones in India (2025)
🟥 OnePlus – Performance Meets Elegance
1. 🔴 OnePlus 13R – The New Value Flagship Killer
- Price: ₹39,999
- Display: 6.74” 1.5K AMOLED, 120Hz
- Camera: 50MP IMX890 + 8MP UW + 2MP macro
- Battery: 5500mAh, 100W
- Secret Sauce: Trinity Engine + HyperRendering
- Hidden Insight: 4 Years OS + 5 Years Security
- Verdict: Top pick for software support & balance.
2. 🔴 OnePlus 12 5G – Smoothness Redefined
- Price: ₹64,999
- Display: 6.82” 2K ProXDR AMOLED
- Camera: 50MP IMX890 + 64MP tele + 48MP UW
- Battery: 5400mAh, 100W + 50W wireless
- Cooling: Dual Cryo-velocity Vapor Chamber
- Hidden Insight: Console-level haptics
- Verdict: Power-packed with refined polish.
🟦 Samsung – AI Flagship Power
3. 🔵 Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – The AI King
- Price: ₹1,29,999
- Display: 6.8” QHD+ AMOLED 2X
- Camera: 200MP + 50MP 5X + 10MP 3X + 12MP
- Battery: 5000mAh, 45W
- AI Highlights: Circle to Search, Note Summaries
- Hidden Insight: Galaxy-tuned Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- Verdict: Best overall Android flagship.
4. 🟡 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 – Flex With AI
- Expected Price: ₹1,59,999
- Display: 6.2” cover + 7.6” main AMOLED
- Camera: 50MP + 12MP UW + 10MP 3x
- Battery: 4400mAh
- AI Edge: Flex Multitasking + Clipboard AI
- Hidden Insight: FlexArmor hinge for crease reduction
- Verdict: Ultimate productivity foldable.
🟨 iQOO – Gaming on Steroids
5. 🟣 iQOO Neo 9 Pro – Gamer’s Delight
- Expected Price: ₹34,999
- Display: 6.78” 1.5K AMOLED, 144Hz
- Camera: 50MP Sony IMX882 + 8MP Ultra-Wide
- Battery: 5160mAh, 120W FlashCharge
- Performance Highlights: Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 144fps optimized gaming
- Gaming Boost: Motion Control Triggers + AI-based Frame Boost
- Hidden Insight: Dual graphite cooling + HDR display tuning for BGMI
- Verdict: The ultimate performance champ for gamers under ₹35K – launching May 26, 2025. Set your reminder!
To see details about Iqoo Neo 10 – iQOO Neo 10: A Powerhouse Reloaded with Flagship Features at a Mid-Range Price
🟢 Motorola – Clean Android, AI Smartness
6. 🔵 Motorola Edge 50 Pro (Global Variant)
- Price: ₹31,999
- Display: 6.7” pOLED, 144Hz
- Camera: 50MP + 13MP UW + 10MP 3X Telephoto
- Battery: 4500mAh, 125W + 50W wireless
- AI Power: Magic Canvas, Photo Stylizer
- Hidden Insight: Edge lights per app alert
- Verdict: Best near-stock UI with AI flair.
🟧 Realme – Aggressive Flagship Disruptor
7. 🟠 Realme GT Neo 6 SE – Budget Beast Incoming
- Expected Price: ₹29,999 (June 2025 launch)
- Display: 6.78” LTPO AMOLED, 6000 nits
- Battery: 5500mAh, 100W
- Cooling: Dual VC + AI Game Optimizer
- Hidden Insight: 1.5-day mixed usage battery
- Verdict: Segment disruptor for under ₹30K.
🔶 Xiaomi/POCO – Performance, Price & Polish
8. 🟣 POCO F7 Pro (Redmi K70 Rebrand)
- Expected Price: ₹36,999
- Display: 8T OLED, better sunlight visibility
- Camera: 50MP + 8MP UW
- Battery: 5000mAh, 120W
- Special Touch: MIUI 15 with RAM Mgmt & Game Boost
- Hidden Insight: Cooler than Neo 9 Pro by 4°C
- Verdict: Strong flagship killer in 2025.
To see details about Poco F7 Pro – POCO F7 Pro: A Game-Changing Flagship with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and 6000mAh Battery
9. 🔶 Xiaomi 14 Ultra – The DSLR Slayer
- Verdict: Content creators’ dream device.
- Price: ₹99,999
- Display: 6.73” QHD+ AMOLED, 3000 nits
- Camera: 50MP x4 Leica tuned (1” sensor)
- Battery: 5000mAh, 90W + 80W wireless
- Pro Tools: USB 4K out, lens kit support
- Hidden Insight: Grip accessory supports ND filters
Source: 91 Mobiles
✅ Final Recap: Snapdragon 8s gen 3 phones list
| Sl. No | Category | Best Pick(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best All-Rounder Flagship | 🟦 Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra |
| 2 | Best Gaming Experience | 🟣 iQOO Neo 10 / 🟠 Realme GT Neo 6 SE |
| 3 | Best Clean UI Experience | 🔵 Motorola Edge 50 Pro |
| 4 | Best Camera & Videography | 🔶 Xiaomi 14 Ultra |
| 5 | Best Foldable Innovation | 🟡 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 |
| 6 | Best Long-Term Software Support | 🔴 OnePlus 13R |
| 7 | Best Under ₹40K Flagship Killer | 🟣 POCO F7 Pro / 🔴 OnePlus 13R |
| 8 | Best Value for Display + Cooling | 🟠 Realme GT Neo 6 SE |
| 9 | Best Camera Flagship Under ₹1 Lakh | 🔶 Xiaomi 14 Ultra |
🧠 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 Hidden Features You Didn’t Know
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 hidden features that elevate user experience beyond just raw performance. One of its standout capabilities is Snapdragon Game Super Resolution, which intelligently upscales game graphics in real time for sharper visuals without taxing the GPU — a feature often missed in spec sheets. It also includes on-device generative AI, supporting models with over 10 billion parameters, enabling fast AI photo editing, voice processing, and live language translation without needing cloud access.
Another under-the-radar gem is the Always-Sensing ISP, which allows your phone to recognize scenes or scan QR codes even when the camera app isn’t open. Plus, with Qualcomm AI Stack optimizations, apps can tap into AI smarts for battery life, camera enhancements, and personalization. All this runs on the Adreno 735 GPU, which also brings support for HDR gaming at high refresh rates, making the 8s Gen 3 a feature-rich yet efficient powerhouse.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| 🧊 Adaptive Cooling | Automatically reduces CPU spike without visible performance drop |
| 📶 Dual-SIM 5G Standby | True dual 5G with seamless switch – only in select India models |
| 🎥 4K HDR10+ Recording | Most phones don’t advertise this but it’s supported natively |
| 🔋 AI Smart Charging | Learns usage patterns to reduce battery degradation |
| 📲 Snapdragon Seamless | Works with upcoming Snapdragon PC laptops for clipboard, file sharing |
🔍Snapdragon 8s gen 3 vs 8 gen 3 – What’s the Real Difference?
Snapdragon 8s gen 3 vs 8 gen 3: The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 may sound similar, but they cater to different segments. The 8 Gen 3 is Qualcomm’s true flagship chip, used in ultra-premium phones like the Galaxy S24 Ultra, offering maximum performance with a more powerful Adreno 750 GPU, full AI model support, and higher clock speeds across all cores. It also supports advanced camera features like 8K HDR video and up to 200MP photo capture.
In contrast, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is a cost-efficient spin-off designed to bring flagship-level experiences to more affordable flagships and upper mid-range phones. It uses the same cutting-edge Cortex-X4 prime core, but has slightly lower GPU power (Adreno 735) and limited support for some AI and camera capabilities. While both are built on a 4nm TSMC process and support on-device AI, gaming, and LPDDR5X RAM, the 8 Gen 3 pulls ahead in sustained performance, thermal efficiency, and premium features.
In short: the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is for no-compromise flagships, while the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is a smart performance pick for budget-conscious power users
| Feature | Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Fabrication | 4nm (TSMC) | 4nm (TSMC) |
| Prime Core | Cortex-X4 @ 3.0GHz | Cortex-X4 @ 3.3GHz |
| GPU | Adreno 735 | Adreno 750 |
| AI | Yes (AI Hub Ready) | Yes (Advanced AI Engine) |
| Price Impact | 20–30% cheaper | Premium-only |
💡 Takeaway: 8s Gen 3 gives you 90% flagship power at 70% of the cost.
🤔 Who Should Buy Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 Phones?
- 🧑💻 Gamers on a budget – Zero compromise on fps in BGMI, CODM, Genshin
- 📷 Mobile photographers – Thanks to high-end ISP and flagship-level sensors
- 🎮 Prolonged users – 40°C thermal limit + AI performance throttling = long session comfort
- 📱 Future-proof users – Wi-Fi 7, 4K HDR10+, and Android 16 ready
🧾 Final Verdict: Which Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 Phone Should You Buy?
| Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|
| 🥇 iQOO Neo 9 Pro | Best all-rounder with flagship camera & gaming edge |
| 🥈 Realme GT Neo 6 SE | Best cooling + future-ready display under ₹30K |
| 🥉 POCO F7 Pro | Balanced performer with rebranded flagship specs |
| 🧼 Motorola Edge 50 Pro | For clean UI lovers with wireless charging perks |
📌 FAQ – Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 Phones in India
Q1. Is Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 good for gaming?
Absolutely. It can run all AAA Android titles at high settings with stable fps.
Q2. Does it heat up like older Snapdragon chips?
No. Thanks to the 4nm TSMC node, thermal output is better than Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or 888.
Q3. Are these phones future-proof?
Yes – all support Android 16, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and fast charging standards.
Q4. Which Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 phone is best under ₹35000?
iQOO Neo 9 Pro. Period.
Q5. Is Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 better than Dimensity 8300?
In real-world gaming and AI, yes. But the Dimensity 8300 wins in battery life in some tests.