Introduction

The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 vs Dimensity 9200 comparison covers three flagship-class processors with different strengths. Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 arrived in March 2024, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in November 2022, and Dimensity 9200 in November 2022.

Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 uses Qualcomm’s Cortex-X4 CPU and Adreno 735 GPU. Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 combines a Cortex-X3 CPU with Adreno 740 graphics. MediaTek’s Dimensity 9200 features a Cortex-X3 CPU and Mali-G715 Immortalis MP11 GPU. All three use TSMC’s 4nm manufacturing process.

NanoReview gives Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 an overall score of 63, with Dimensity 9200 at 62. These small differences mean that the best choice depends on the workload: CPU performance, gaming, video recording, memory, or connectivity.

Quick Answer

The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 are tied overall according to NanoReview, both scoring 63. Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 has the higher CPU rating, while Dimensity 9200 leads gaming performance. The 8s Gen 3 records the highest AnTuTu 11 result, and all three processors share a battery score of 91.

Specification Comparison

Source: NanoReview Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 vs Dimensity 9200.

CPU Architecture and Performance

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 has the highest NanoReview CPU score, but Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 uses a newer Cortex-X4 prime core.

Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 contains one Cortex-X4 core running at 3.0GHz, four Cortex-A720 cores at 2.8GHz, and three Cortex-A520 cores at 2.0GHz. Its 8MB L3 cache and ARMv9.2-A instruction set support a modern CPU architecture.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 uses one Cortex-X3 core at 3.2GHz, two Cortex-A715 cores at 2.8GHz, two Cortex-A710 cores at 2.8GHz, and three Cortex-A510 efficiency cores at 2.0GHz. Its prime core has a higher clock speed than the 8s Gen 3’s Cortex-X4, although it uses an older CPU generation.

Dimensity 9200 also uses a Cortex-X3 prime core, clocked at 3.05GHz, alongside three Cortex-A715 cores at 2.85GHz and four Cortex-A510 cores at 1.8GHz. It also has 8MB of L3 cache.

NanoReview rates CPU performance at 64 for Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 63 for Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and 58 for Dimensity 9200. The 8 Gen 2’s lead shows that CPU performance depends on clock speeds, core arrangement, cache and implementation, not simply the generation number of the prime core.

GPU and Gaming Performance

Dimensity 9200 leads NanoReview’s gaming rating, while Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 has stronger theoretical GPU performance than Snapdragon 8s Gen 3.

Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 uses Adreno 735 graphics at 1.1GHz, with NanoReview listing 1,689.6 GFLOPS. Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 uses Adreno 740 at 680MHz, with 2,089 GFLOPS. Dimensity 9200 features Mali-G715 Immortalis MP11 at 981MHz, rated at 2,762.5 GFLOPS.

Theoretical GPU FLOPS measure estimated floating-point throughput, not actual frame rates. Architecture, drivers, game compatibility, rendering APIs and thermal performance all affect real gaming results.

NanoReview’s gaming ratings are:

The Dimensity 9200 leads this category despite its lower overall score. For gaming-focused buyers, this makes it an important alternative to both Snapdragon processors. Actual results can still differ between phones because cooling systems and software tuning vary.

Manufacturing and Battery Efficiency

All three processors tie on NanoReview’s battery score of 91.

Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Dimensity 9200 all use TSMC’s 4nm process. NanoReview gives each a battery-life score of 91, so none can be declared the sole efficiency winner using this metric.

That result does not mean all smartphones using these chips will deliver identical battery life. Battery capacity, display size, refresh rate, signal strength, software and sustained power limits influence actual endurance.

For buyers comparing handsets, the battery score is a useful starting point, but independent phone-level battery tests provide a more complete picture.

RAM, Memory and Storage

Dimensity 9200 has a small advantage in listed memory bandwidth, while all three support up to 24GB of RAM and UFS 4.0 storage.

Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 support LPDDR5X at 4200MHz, providing up to 67.2GB/s of memory bandwidth. Dimensity 9200 uses LPDDR5X at 4266MHz, reaching 68.2GB/s. All three support up to 24GB RAM.

Their listed storage options are also identical: UFS 3.1 and UFS 4.0. The memory differences are small on paper and should not be treated as proof that one phone will always launch applications or load games faster. Real storage speeds, software configuration and available RAM matter too.

AI and NPU

All three processors include dedicated AI hardware, but NanoReview’s listed specifications do not establish a definitive AI-performance winner.

Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 use Qualcomm’s Hexagon AI hardware, while Dimensity 9200 includes the MediaTek APU 690.

The cited specifications do not provide directly comparable TOPS figures for all three. It would therefore be misleading to rank their AI capabilities numerically from these pages alone.

Actual AI performance depends on software support, supported models, precision, memory use and how well applications use the NPU, GPU and CPU.

Camera, ISP and Video

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers the strongest listed video-recording capability, while Dimensity 9200 supports the highest maximum camera resolution.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 supports up to 200MP camera hardware and video recording at 8K30 or 4K120. Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 also supports up to 200MP cameras, but NanoReview lists its maximum capture capability as 4K60.

Dimensity 9200 supports up to 320MP camera hardware and 8K30 or 4K60 recording. This gives it the highest listed maximum camera resolution, while Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 supports the higher 4K recording frame rate.

These figures describe the chipset’s listed capabilities, not guaranteed camera quality. Sensor selection, lens quality, stabilization, ISP processing and smartphone-specific software remain critical.

Display and Connectivity

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 has the highest listed 5G download speed, while Dimensity 9200 offers the highest listed upload speed.

Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 both support displays up to 3840×2160. Dimensity 9200 lists a maximum resolution of 2960×1440. All three support Wi-Fi 7.

Their modem specifications differ:

These are theoretical maximums rather than typical mobile-network speeds. Local network coverage, carrier support and the phone’s antenna design determine real-world throughput.

Benchmark Comparison

Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 has the highest AnTuTu 11 result, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 leads Geekbench CPU performance, and Dimensity 9200 leads NanoReview’s gaming score.

Source: NanoReview Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 vs Dimensity 9200, and Dimensity 9200 benchmarks.

The benchmark results show why an overall winner is difficult to declare from one test. AnTuTu 11 favors Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, whereas Geekbench favors Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Dimensity 9200 leads the listed 3DMark Steel Nomad Light and Solar Bay results, while Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 leads Wild Life Extreme.

Sample sizes can also differ between tests, so these scores should be understood as NanoReview’s current reported results rather than identical laboratory measurements of every possible handset.

Real-World Performance

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is especially compelling for CPU-heavy workloads and advanced video capture, Dimensity 9200 is strong for graphics-intensive use, and Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 offers newer CPU architecture with competitive overall performance.

For demanding applications, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s higher CPU score and Geekbench results make it a strong option. It also supports 8K30 and 4K120 video capture, while its Adreno 740 GPU remains capable for high-performance Android games.

Dimensity 9200 has the highest gaming rating of the three and strong graphics benchmark results. Its 320MP camera support, 8K30 video recording and higher listed memory bandwidth add to its feature set.

Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 remains competitive with the older flagship despite being positioned as a more cost-conscious flagship-class platform. It uses the newer Cortex-X4 and Cortex-A720 architecture, and its AnTuTu 11 score is slightly higher than those of the other two chips.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Snapdragon 8s Gen 3

Strengths

• Newer Cortex-X4 prime core.
• Highest AnTuTu 11 result in this comparison.
• 8MB L3 cache.
• Up to 24GB RAM and UFS 4.0 support.
• Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.

Weaknesses

• Lower CPU rating than Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
• Lower gaming rating than Dimensity 9200.
• 4K60 maximum listed video recording.
• Lower theoretical GPU FLOPS than the two rivals.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2

Strengths

• Highest CPU score and Geekbench CPU results.
• Strong Adreno 740 graphics.
• 8K30 and 4K120 recording.
• Up to 10Gbps listed 5G download.
• 91 battery score.
• Up to 24GB RAM and UFS 4.0 support.

Weaknesses

• Older CPU architecture than Snapdragon 8s Gen 3.
• Lower AnTuTu 11 result than 8s Gen 3.
• Bluetooth 5.3 rather than 5.4.
• Lower gaming rating than Dimensity 9200.

Dimensity 9200

Strengths

• Highest NanoReview gaming score.
• Highest listed GPU theoretical FLOPS.
• Strong 3DMark Steel Nomad Light and Solar Bay results.
• Up to 320MP camera support.
• 8K30 video recording.
• Highest listed 5G upload speed.
• 68.2GB/s memory bandwidth.

Weaknesses

• Lowest CPU rating of the three.
• Lowest Geekbench CPU results.
• Lower NanoReview overall score.
• Maximum display resolution listed below the Snapdragon chips.

Best Processor for Different Users

Final Verdict and Ranking

Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 share first place by NanoReview’s overall score, while Dimensity 9200 ranks just behind them.

1. Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 — Overall Tie

Both processors score 63 overall. Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 wins the AnTuTu 11 comparison and uses a newer Cortex-X4 CPU design, while Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 has the higher CPU rating, stronger Geekbench CPU results and more advanced listed video-recording capability. Neither is a universal winner across all workloads.

2. Dimensity 9200 — Strong Graphics Alternative

Dimensity 9200 scores 62 overall, one point behind the two Snapdragon chips. It leads the gaming rating, has the highest theoretical GPU FLOPS figure and performs strongly in several 3DMark tests. Its lower CPU score and Geekbench results prevent it from taking the overall lead.

Winner Summary

Final Ranking

Overall score ranking:

1. Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 — tied at 63
2. Dimensity 9200 — 62

The main takeaway is that the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 are closely matched overall, but they win different benchmark categories. Dimensity 9200 is the strongest gaming-oriented alternative by NanoReview’s gaming rating. The best purchase ultimately depends on the specific phone’s cooling, software optimization, camera implementation and price.

Sources: NanoReview processor specifications, current comparison ratings and benchmark results for Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Dimensity 9200. Data checked October 9, 2026.