Best Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Phones for Unmatched Performance
By Himani Jha | Updated Sep 17, 2024, 12:34 PM IST
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the most powerful chipset of the year, is not just for power users. With its AI features, it enhances the mobile experience for everyone, from creatives to tech enthusiasts. Here, we have compiled a list of flagship smartphones powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, offering a comprehensive cutting-edge technology package.
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Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 series has been the talk of the town for the past few years, powering most high-end Android phones on the market. This year, the company’s latest flagship processor is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which we have already seen on some of the best launches of 2024. From the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G to the OnePlus 12 and the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro 5G, the chipset has impressed us with its impeccable performance. While there have been plenty of spec improvements from last year, what stands out is its generative AI infusion at this time around.
1. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 supports global illumination with ray tracing and Unreal Engine 5 with lumen for gaming. This means the chipset can easily handle even the most demanding gaming
2. The chipset is 30% faster overall than the previous year’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
3. It also features night vision video capture, Dolby HDR photo capture, and 5G Advanced
If you’re looking for enhanced AI capabilities, superior graphics, and most importantly, energy efficiency that keeps your battery strong all day, these smartphones powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 are worth checking out.
Best Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 smartphones in 2024
1. Best overall: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G
Here are key features of Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipsets
1. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 supports global illumination with ray tracing and Unreal Engine 5 with lumen for gaming. This means the chipset can easily handle even the most demanding gaming
2. The chipset is 30% faster overall than the previous year’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
3. It also features night vision video capture, Dolby HDR photo capture, and 5G Advanced
If you’re looking for enhanced AI capabilities, superior graphics, and most importantly, energy efficiency that keeps your battery strong all day, these smartphones powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 are worth checking out.
Best Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 smartphones in 2024
| Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 phones | Battery Capacity |
| Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G | 5,000mAh |
| Xiaomi 14 Ultra 5G | 5,000mAh |
| OnePlus 12 5G | 5,400mAh |
| vivo X Fold3 Pro 5G | 5,700mAh |
| Xiaomi 14 5G | 4,610mAh |
1. Best overall: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G
Operating System: Android 14 | RAM: 12 GB | Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 5G offers some of the best specs and performance one can find in the world of smartphones. While there are plenty of spec improvements, what really stands out is its powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and push towards generative AI features. The new Galaxy AI Suite comes with features like Photo Assist, which lets you edit out background objects as well as make other changes to the images similar to Google’s Magic Editor. Then there's also a Chat Assistant function in the Samsung Keyboard that offers suggestions for different tones or better ways to express yourself as you type. The smartphone also raises the bar in terms of software update policies by promising seven years of OS updates and security fixes.
Users’ review: Customers like the features, material and display of the cellular phone. They mention that the editing features collab with AI, the pictures are more crisp and that it's a truly remarkable device.
Why should you buy this?
- The best display available in any smartphone
- Battery life remains among the best in class
- AI features deliver new value
Pros:
- Solid performance
- Versatile camera
- Reverse wireless charging
Cons:
- The phone lacks Qi2 magnetic charging
2. Best in camera: Xiaomi 14 Ultra 5G
Operating System: Android 14 | RAM: 12 GB | Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
2024 has been a terrific year for phone cameras and Xiaomi 14 Ultra stands out among all of them with its Leica tuned cameras. Not only that the phone also got that something little something extra with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 powered system under the hood. The phone handles multitasking like a pro whether you're jumping between apps or running the most demanding games. With a 6.73-inch AMOLED panel and Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support you're getting vibrant colors and deep blacks that make everything from streaming your favorite shows to gaming a visual delight. Additionally, the screen goes up to 3,000 nits in HDR content and with a 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling through the feed smoother.
Now, let's not forget the camera setup. With a 1-inch 50MP Sony LYT-900 primary camera led setup, your photos will be nothing short of spectacular, capturing every detail with stunning clarity. The night mode works like magic – turning low-light moments into beautifully lit memories.
Users’ review: Customers loved the overall performance, comfort, battery backup, charging speed, and camera quality of the smartphone. They mentioned that it's a very good phone, has a good battery, and feels premium in hand.
What we like about this product?
- Xiaomi 14 Ultra offers a stand-out design
- It's premium features and a robust processor that can manage even the most demanding tasks at ease
- It features 120Hz refresh rate offering smooth animation
- Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset
- 120W Hypercharger
- Leica-tuned cameras
Cons:
- Though there are no major cons, but the UI could have been more polished
3. Value for money: OnePlus 12 5G
Operating System: Android 14 | RAM: 12 GB | Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
If the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the Xiaomi 14 Ultra are too pricey for you and you are looking for something a bit cheaper than them, the OnePlus 12 is the best option powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the market. While it isn’t a major departure from the OnePlus 11 in terms of design, the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC with up to 16GB of RAM is worth noting. Additionally, the Dual Cryo-Velocity cooling setup on the smartphone keeps it cool even under heavy load, making it a great companion for gaming. Those who care about long battery life will also be happy to know that the phone has a whopping 5,400mAh this year.
The OnePlus 12 features IP65 splash protection. Though, OnePlus is yet to embrace AI in the way other smartphone makers have, however, we can expect them in future software updates.
Users’ review: Customers appreciated the smooth performance, camera, value, battery life, and the quality. They shared that it delivers a smooth and fluid user experience. They also liked the camera.
What we like about this product?
- OnePlus 12 5G offers great value for money
- It's touted as flagship killer as you can get premium experience at a comparatively lower price
- It supports 100W wired and 50W wireless charging
Pros:
- A big and bright screen
- Alert Slider
- Hassleblad 4th Gen Camera
Cons:
- Though there are no major cons, but the phone lacks generative AI features
4. Best in battery: Vivo X Fold3 Pro 5G
Operating System: Android 14 | RAM: 12 GB | Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
If you love those big size phablets like Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, then the Vivo X Fold3 Pro 5G could be an alternative with the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipsets. It boasts an ultra-smooth, edge-to-edge foldable display that’s not just a treat for the eyes but also incredibly durable. Under the hood, you’ve got top-tier performance thanks to the latest 5G capabilities and a powerhouse processor. This means lightning-fast speeds, seamless multitasking, and a device that can keep up with even the most demanding tasks.
But that’s not all. The Vivo X Fold3 Pro 5G comes with a pro-grade camera setup that captures stunning photos and videos in any light. Whether you’re snapping selfies, taking group shots, or capturing breathtaking landscapes, every shot is a masterpiece.
Users’ review: Customers like the appearance, quality and features of the smartphone. They said that its hinge is awesome and overall built quality of this phone is up to the mark.
What we like about this product?
- The smartphone features 64MP Telephoto (OIS) with 3x Optical Zoom support for cover screen
- It supports 100W Flash charge and 50W wireless flash charging
- You will get a big foldable display that will let you handle multitasking at ease
Pros:
- 32MP selfie camera
- 5,700 mAh battery
- Great display
Cons:
- Though there are no major cons, but the UI could have been better
5. Best in budget: Xiaomi 14 5G
Operating System: Android 14 | RAM: 12 GB | Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
The Xiaomi 14 is one of the best lower-cost flagships around. The Xiaomi 14 include a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor with up to 16GB of RAM and with storage options up to 1TB. The camera experience is also pretty similar. Though there are no major AI upgrades, but the whole package is a solid experience. If you’re looking for a powerful phone without spending a fortune, the Xiaomi 14 series is worth a look. The phone sports a 6.36-inch AMOLED display offering a dynamic refresh rate of 1-120Hz and touch sampling rate of up to 240Hz. You will also get Leica tuned triple rear camera setup headlined by a 50MP main camera.
Users’ review: Customers loved the camera, appearance and quality of the smartphone. They mentioned that it takes decent pictures and has an excellent design and build.
What we like about this product?
- The handset features 6.36 inch 1.5K 120Hz LTPO AMOLED display
- Xiaomi 14 boots with Xiaomi's HyperOS out of the box
- It supports 90W wired fast charging
Pros:
- LPDDR5X RAM for good performance
- Looks good
- 50W wireless charging
Cons:
- Some user have found it a bit heavy
6. Best for gaming: iQoo 12
Display: 6.8-inch, FHD+ AMOLED | Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Storage: Up To 1TB
Though the iQoo has launched the iQoo 12 last year in December but it has still been making waves for its power-packed performance and a dedicated gaming mode. The flagship phone from the Chinese OEM packs dual-SIM and runs on Android 14-based Funtouch OS 14 out-of-the-box. Sporting a 6.78-inch quad-HD LTPO AMOLED display, it offers a 144Hz refresh rate and 1,200Hz instant touch sampling rate. The display is said to support up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness and 2,160Hz PWM for low light dimming.
Powering the phone is a Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and iQoo’s Q1 chip for enhanced gaming. The comes with up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB UFS 4.0 storage. It also gets a 6,010 sq. mm vapour chamber with four cooling zones.
On the optics front, the iQoo 12 features a triple rear camera setup including a 50MP primary camera with a 1/1.3-inch OmniVision OV50H sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide-angle camera with a 120-degree field-of-view, and a 64MP periscope telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom and 100x hybrid zoom. For selfies and video calls a 16MP selfie camera with a wide-angle lens and f/2.5 aperture.
Users’ review: Customers loved the camera quality, quality, value, and charging speed of the cellular phone. They shared that it has amazing features and gets fully charged within 26 minutes.
Why should you buy this?
- The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 mobile platform offers impeccable performance
- Large X-axis linear motor enhances the overall gaming experience.
- IP64 rating provides protection against dust/water under normal use
Pros:
- Great performance
- Value for money
- Dedicated gaming features
Cons:
- The Funtouch OS is full of bloatwares
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