Which is the best 8th Gen processor that you should eye for if you have a budget of 30-40K? Well, to have the answer to this question, you do not need to go any further, as we bring you the ultimate Mediatek Dimensity 8500 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 comparison, and help you find the best choice for a mid-range phone processor. We take these two processors out from the tally of the best mobile processors, and see which 8th Gen chipset suits your needs the best. So, let the battle begin, and let us find out all the key specs of both chipsets right here.
Also Read: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Vs Exynos 2600: Who’s The Boss?
MediaTek Dimensity 8500 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Comparison: The Hustle To Find A Good Mid-Ranger Chipset
The hustle to find a good processor among the phones in the 40000 range in the Indian market is a very tough job. In 2025, phones like iQOO Neo 10, POCO F7, and OnePlus Nord 5, which were among the best phones under the 35000 range, had some of the best performance and gaming specs, and outshined all the other flagships, even the ones worth 50000 and 55000. But with newer options and too much hustle, the job of finding the right phone in today’s times has become tougher.
The hustle to find good mid-range processors, especially for the 8th Gen and 7th Gen, is based on various key factors. These key factors include CPU/GPU performance for gaming (e.g., Mali-G720 in Dimensity 8500 handles high-frame rates), battery efficiency (4nm process aids longevity), AI capabilities for camera processing, and 5G modem speed.
Talking about the Mediatek Dimensity 8500 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, various online leaks have proved that while 8500 offers strong multi-core scores at affordable prices, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 excels with a superior GPU.
MediaTek Launches Dimensity 8500: Budget Maestro With Flagship Specs
If you have been thinking that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 isthe best 8th-gen chipset, then it is time that you rethink your choice, because MediaTek has introduced a new budget maestro to compete with Snapdragon’s flagship processors.
MediaTek Dimensity 8500 has been launched on 16 January 2026 alongside the MediaTek Dimensity 9500s. Both these processors are launched as the ‘budget flagships’, coming with a cheaper price tag with premium-level performance.
Also Read: MediaTek Dimensity 9500s Launched Globally: A New Mid-Range Choice Is Here
Key Specs Of MediaTek Dimensity 8500
- CPU: All-big-core octa-core Cortex-A725 (1+3+4).
- Top CPU Frequency: 3.4GHz.
- GPU: Mali-G720 MC8.
- Process: TSMC 4nm.
- RAM/Storage: LPDDR5X 9600Mbps, UFS 4.0.
- NPU: 880 for AI.
Now, let us move to the second contender of this Mediatek Dimensity 8500 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 debate.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: The Superior Gamer
While the new-age buyers would tend to buy the phones with Dimensity 8500 as it is newer, has more efficiency, and is a more trendy and budget-friendly processor, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 still seems to be slightly more hardcore, superior gaming specs holder, and an overall beast in terms of performance.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has had a guaranteed review tally, with great numbers, and scoring over 7500 on Geekbench Multi-core scores. Moreover, it has come in flagship phones of Vivo, iQOO, and OnePlus, making them stand among phones with the best processors.
Key Specs Of Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- CPU: Octa-core ARMv9.2 (1 + 3 + 2 + 2)
- Top CPU Frequency: 3.3 GHz.
- GPU: Adreno 750.
- Process: TSMC 4 nm.
- RAM/Storage: LPDDR5X, UFS 4.0.
- NPU: Hexagon NPU for on-device AI.
MediaTek Dimensity 8500 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: Key Comparisons
| Feature | Dimensity 8500 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Manufacturing Process | TSMC 4nm (N4P) | TSMC 4nm (N4P) |
| CPU Architecture | All Big Core: 8x Cortex-A725 | 1x Cortex-X4, 5x A720, 2x A520 |
| Max CPU Frequency | 3.40 GHz | 3.30 GHz |
| Geekbench 6 (Single) | 1,750 | 2,300 |
| Geekbench 6 (Multi) | 7,100 | 7,500 |
| 3DMark Wild Life Ext. | 4,200 | 5,100 |
| GPU | Mali-G720 MC8 | Adreno 750 |
| Memory Frequency | LPDDR5X (9600 Mbps) | LPDDR5X (8533 Mbps) |
| NPU (AI) | MediaTek NPU 880 (8th Gen) | Hexagon NPU (Generative AI) |
| Video Support | 4K @ 60fps | 8K @ 30fps / 4K @ 120fps |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, 5G (5.17 Gbps) | Wi-Fi 7, 5G (10 Gbps) |
Also Read: Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5: Differences And Who Is Better
MediaTek Dimensity 8500 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: AnTuTu Score Comparisons
The AnTuTu scores of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 are around 2.1 million. On the other hand, the AnTuTu Scores of Dimensity 8500 are speculated to be around 2.4 million.
MediaTek Dimensity 8500 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: Which is Better For Gaming?
For gaming, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is better due to its better FPS setup and better 3D Wildmark scores.
MediaTek Dimensity 8500 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: Which Has Better Performance?
For multitasking and gaming Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is better. For hardcore single-core performance and higher workload, Dimensity 8500 is better.
End Note
That’s it from our end. We have compared both these chipsets on the basis of performance, gaming, and have curated all the results and have figured out all the benchmarks. The choice depends on you; both processors are a wonderful choice for 2026, and more importantly, you need to watch out for the phones as to which phones are better. Stay tuned for more such informative guides and detailed comparisons.
FAQs
MediaTek Dimensity 8500 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: Which Processor is Better?
In overall comparisons, Dimensity 8500 wins as it has a higher CPU frequency, larger cores, and more budget-friendly features.
Is Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 good for Gaming?
Yes, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a good choice for gaming and is better than the Dimensity 8500.
When will Dimensity 8500 launch?
Dimensity 8500 has been launched globally on 16 January 2026.
In which phones will Dimensity 8500 launch?
The list of devices of Dimensity 8500 has not been revealed yet.
Also Read: Best iPhone deals to grab at Republic Day Sale 2026
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