Introduction

The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs Dimensity 8550 comparison covers three processors with different market positions. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 are flagship-class chipsets, while MediaTek’s Dimensity 8550 is classified as mid-range by NanoReview.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 was announced in October 2023 and combines a Cortex-X4 CPU with Adreno 750 graphics. Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 arrived in April 2025 with a Cortex-X4 CPU and Adreno 825 GPU. Dimensity 8550 was announced in May 2026 and uses eight Cortex-A725 cores with Mali-G720 MP8 graphics. All three use TSMC’s 4nm manufacturing process.

NanoReview’s current overall ratings are close, but each processor has a different performance profile. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has the strongest CPU rating, Dimensity 8550 leads the site’s gaming rating, and Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 offers a newer Qualcomm platform with strong multi-core performance and modern connectivity.

Quick Answer

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is the overall winner according to NanoReview, with a score of 77, followed by Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 at 76 and Dimensity 8550 at 75. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 leads CPU performance, while Dimensity 8550 has the highest listed AnTuTu 11 score and gaming rating. All three receive a battery score of 91.

Specification Comparison

Source: NanoReview’s individual processor pages and comparison data.

CPU Architecture and Performance

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has the highest NanoReview CPU rating, while Dimensity 8550 uses the highest-clocked CPU core in this comparison.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 features one Cortex-X4 prime core at 3.3GHz, three Cortex-A720 cores at 3.15GHz, two additional Cortex-A720 cores at 2.96GHz and two Cortex-A520 efficiency cores at 2.27GHz. Its 12MB L3 cache is the largest among these processors.

Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 also uses a Cortex-X4 prime core, but its maximum frequency is 3.21GHz. It combines that core with six Cortex-A720 performance cores at two frequency levels and two additional A720 cores at 2.02GHz. NanoReview lists an 8MB L3 cache.

Dimensity 8550 takes a different approach: all eight CPU cores are Cortex-A725 cores. One runs at 3.4GHz, three at 3.2GHz and four at 2.2GHz. This arrangement avoids a separate Cortex-X prime core, relying instead on high clock speeds across its A725 core groups. It has 6MB L3 cache.

NanoReview’s CPU ratings are 77 for Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 76 for Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 and 69 for Dimensity 8550. The 8 Gen 3’s cache capacity and prime-core frequency contribute to its strong CPU positioning, while Dimensity 8550’s 3.4GHz maximum clock does not automatically translate into the highest CPU rating.

GPU and Gaming Performance

Dimensity 8550 has the highest NanoReview gaming rating and theoretical GPU FLOPS figure, but limited benchmark samples make its apparent advantage less conclusive.

Dimensity 8550 uses the Mali-G720 MP8 GPU at 1508MHz, with a theoretical performance of 3088.4 GFLOPS. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 uses Adreno 750 at a listed 903–1000MHz and reaches 2774 GFLOPS. Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 has Adreno 825 at 1150MHz, rated at 2355.2 GFLOPS.

NanoReview rates gaming performance at 70 for Dimensity 8550, 65 for Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and 64 for Snapdragon 8s Gen 4. These ratings favor MediaTek’s processor, although the underlying benchmark evidence remains limited.

The theoretical FLOPS numbers cannot by themselves predict frame rates. GPU architecture, graphics drivers, game-specific optimization, memory behavior and thermal management affect performance. NanoReview currently provides no 3DMark results for Dimensity 8550 on its individual page, so it cannot be compared with the Snapdragon chips in those tests using equivalent data.

For buyers, the defensible conclusion is that Dimensity 8550 leads the current NanoReview gaming rating. Its long-term position will be clearer as more independent device and benchmark results become available.

Manufacturing and Battery Efficiency

All three processors receive the same NanoReview battery score of 91.

The three chips use TSMC’s 4nm manufacturing process, so node size does not distinguish them. NanoReview gives Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 and Dimensity 8550 a battery rating of 91, producing a three-way tie in this category.

NanoReview lists a 6W sustained power limit for Dimensity 8550 and 8W for Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. It does not list a directly comparable TDP figure for Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, so those values should not be used to rank all three definitively.

Actual battery life depends on the phone’s battery capacity, display, modem activity, cooling design and software. Equal NanoReview battery scores suggest similar ratings in the site’s methodology, not identical endurance in every handset.

RAM, Memory and Storage

Memory bandwidth is a three-way tie at 76.8GB/s, with Dimensity 8550 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offering the broader listed storage support.

All three processors support LPDDR5X-4800 memory, a 4×16-bit bus, maximum bandwidth of 76.8GB/s and up to 24GB RAM. On these specifications, none has a memory-bandwidth advantage.

Storage support differs slightly. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Dimensity 8550 list both UFS 4.0 and UFS 4.1, while Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 lists UFS 4.0. UFS 4.1 support gives the first two processors a broader listed storage specification, although actual device storage may depend on the manufacturer.

For gaming and multitasking, all three have a strong memory foundation. Phone-level RAM capacity, storage implementation and software optimization matter more than the small specification differences here.

AI and NPU

All three processors have dedicated AI hardware, but NanoReview does not provide equivalent TOPS figures to establish a definitive AI winner.

Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 use Qualcomm Hexagon AI hardware. Dimensity 8550 includes the MediaTek NPU 880.

Since the cited pages do not provide comparable AI throughput measurements for all three chips, ranking their neural-processing performance numerically would be unsupported. Real-world AI results depend on supported models, precision, memory use and application optimization.

Camera, ISP and Video

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has the strongest listed video-recording capability, while Dimensity 8550 supports the highest stated camera resolution.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 supports cameras up to 200MP and video recording at 8K30 or 4K120. Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 lists support for up to 320MP camera hardware, but its maximum capture capability is 4K60. Dimensity 8550 also lists up to 320MP and 4K60 recording.

The 8 Gen 3 therefore has an advantage for users who prioritize high-resolution video recording. Dimensity 8550 and 8s Gen 4 advertise higher maximum camera-resolution support, but megapixel limits do not determine photo quality. Sensor quality, optics, stabilization, ISP processing and camera software remain important.

Display and Connectivity

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has the highest listed 5G download speed, while Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 and Dimensity 8550 have Bluetooth 6.0.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 list maximum display support of 3840×2160, while Dimensity 8550 lists 2960×1440. These figures describe chipset capabilities rather than the actual resolution of every phone using the processor.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s modem supports a listed maximum download speed of 10Gbps. Dimensity 8550 reaches 5.17Gbps, and Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is listed at 4.2Gbps. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 also lists 3.5Gbps upload, while equivalent upload figures are not available for both rivals.

All three support 5G. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 offer Wi-Fi 7, whereas Dimensity 8550 lists Wi-Fi 6. Bluetooth is 5.4 on the 8 Gen 3 and 6.0 on the other two.

Benchmark Comparison

Dimensity 8550 leads AnTuTu 11, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 leads Geekbench CPU, and Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 leads the listed Geekbench GPU Compute result.

Source: NanoReview Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, and Dimensity 8550.

Data quality note: NanoReview currently reports fewer than three samples for Dimensity 8550’s Geekbench 6 CPU and GPU Compute scores, and its page lists just one phone with an AnTuTu result. Its benchmark results are therefore provisional compared with the more established Snapdragon data.

The results show why no single benchmark should define the overall winner. Dimensity 8550 leads AnTuTu 11, but its reported Geekbench single-core score is lower than both Snapdragon chips. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 leads single-core CPU performance, while Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 leads Geekbench multi-core and GPU Compute among these three reported results.

Real-World Performance

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is the safest all-round performance choice by NanoReview’s composite score, Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is highly competitive, and Dimensity 8550 has promising early results.

For demanding CPU workloads, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 combines the highest CPU rating with the largest L3 cache and strong Geekbench single-core performance. It also supports 8K30 and 4K120 video recording, Wi-Fi 7 and high listed 5G throughput.

Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is close behind overall. Its Cortex-X4 CPU, Adreno 825 GPU, 76.8GB/s memory bandwidth, UFS 4.0 support and Bluetooth 6.0 make it a modern platform with strong reported multi-core and GPU Compute results.

Dimensity 8550 is promising on paper, especially for gaming and broad system performance, but it is classed as mid-range by NanoReview and has fewer published benchmark samples. Its high AnTuTu result should be interpreted as an early indication, not conclusive evidence that it outperforms the Snapdragon processors in every workload.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Snapdragon 8s Gen 4

Strengths

• Strong multi-core performance.
• High Geekbench GPU Compute score.
• LPDDR5X with 76.8GB/s bandwidth.
• Up to 24GB RAM and Wi-Fi 7.
• Bluetooth 6.0.

Weaknesses

• Lower overall and CPU ratings than Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
• Lower listed 5G download speed than both rivals.
• 4K60 maximum listed video capture.
• UFS 4.0 listed, but not UFS 4.1.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

Strengths

• Highest overall and CPU ratings.
• Strongest Geekbench single-core result.
• 12MB L3 cache.
• 8K30 and 4K120 video recording.
• 10Gbps listed 5G download.
• Wi-Fi 7 and broad flagship positioning.

Weaknesses

• Lower AnTuTu 11 result than Dimensity 8550.
• Lower Geekbench multi-core and GPU Compute results than Snapdragon 8s Gen 4.
• Bluetooth 5.4 rather than 6.0.

Dimensity 8550

Strengths

• Highest listed AnTuTu 11 score.
• Highest NanoReview gaming rating.
• 3088.4 GFLOPS theoretical GPU performance.
• LPDDR5X, 76.8GB/s bandwidth and up to 24GB RAM.
• UFS 4.0/UFS 4.1.
• Bluetooth 6.0.

Weaknesses

• Lowest CPU rating of these three.
• Lower Geekbench CPU results.
• Wi-Fi 6 rather than Wi-Fi 7.
• 4K60 maximum listed video recording.
• Limited benchmark sample size.

Best Processor for Different Users

Final Verdict and Ranking

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 ranks first overall, Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 ranks second, and Dimensity 8550 ranks third according to NanoReview’s current composite scores.

#1 Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 wins overall with a score of 77. Its strengths are CPU performance, single-core benchmarks, video-recording capabilities and the listed 5G download specification. It is the strongest all-round choice by NanoReview’s current aggregate rating.

#2 Snapdragon 8s Gen 4

The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 scores 76, just one point behind the 8 Gen 3. It leads in reported Geekbench 6 multi-core and GPU Compute performance and offers Bluetooth 6.0, Wi-Fi 7 and 76.8GB/s memory bandwidth. It is a close alternative rather than a substantially weaker processor.

#3 Dimensity 8550

The Dimensity 8550 scores 75 overall. Its high AnTuTu 11 result and gaming rating make it interesting, but its current Geekbench sample size is small. Its benchmark lead should be treated as provisional until more results are available.

Winner Summary

Final ranking:

1. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
2. Snapdragon 8s Gen 4
3. MediaTek Dimensity 8550

The main takeaway is that Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has the strongest overall profile in NanoReview, while Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is competitive in multi-core and GPU Compute results. Dimensity 8550 leads some current ratings and AnTuTu 11, but its smaller benchmark sample means its apparent advantage should be interpreted cautiously. Phone cooling, software tuning and price remain important when selecting an actual device.

Sources: NanoReview processor pages for Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Dimensity 8550. Data checked October 10, 2026.