When it comes to flagship smartphones in 2025, the processor inside your device determines how smooth your apps run, how fast games play, and how well your phone handles multitasking. Two of the most powerful chips on the market right now are Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 vs MediaTek Dimensity 9400. Both promise top-tier performance, but which one is right for you? This blog will help you compare their specs, benchmarks, gaming capabilities, and more to make an informed choice.
Also Read: Dimensity 9400 Vs Snapdragon 8 Elite: Gaming And AI Faceoff 2025
Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 vs Dimensity 9400: Specs Comparison
Both Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 vs Dimensity 9400 are flagship processors built on a 3nm process, promising excellent efficiency and performance. Let us break down their specs side by side so you can see how they compare.
| Feature | Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 | Dimensity 9400 |
| CPU Architecture | 2x 3.8 GHz + 6x 3.32 GHz | 1x 3.62 GHz Cortex-X925 + 3x 3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 + 4x 2.4 GHz Cortex-A720 |
| Cores | 8 | 8 |
| Max CPU Frequency | 3800 MHz | 3620 MHz |
| Process | 3 nm | 3 nm |
| GPU | Adreno 840 (8 CUs) | Mali-G925 Immortalis MP12 |
| GPU Architecture | Adreno 800 | Valhall 5th gen |
| GPU Frequency | 1200 MHz | 1612 MHz |
| Neural Processor (NPU) | Hexagon | MediaTek NPU 890 |
| Memory Type | LPDDR5X | LPDDR5X |
| Memory Frequency | 4800 MHz | 5333 MHz |
| Max Memory | 24GB | 24GB |
| Max Display Resolution | 3840 x 2540 | 3840 x 2160 |
| Max Camera Resolution | 320MP | 320MP |
| Video Capture | 8K@60FPS, 4K@120FPS | 8K@60FPS, 4K@120FPS |
| Video Playback | 8K@60FPS, 4K@120FPS | 8K@60FPS, 4K@120FPS |
| 4G Support | LTE Cat. 24 | LTE Cat. 24 |
| 5G Support | Yes | Yes |
| Download Speed | Up to 10,000 Mbps | Up to 7,300 Mbps |
| Wi-Fi | 7 | 7 |
| Bluetooth | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Navigation | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS, NAVIC | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS, NAVIC |
| Announced | Nov 2025 | Oct 2024 |
| Class | Flagship | Flagship |
From this table, you can see the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 edges out in CPU performance and 5G speed, while Dimensity 9400 leads slightly in GPU frequency and memory speed. These differences can influence both gaming and multitasking.
Also Read: Exynos 2400 Vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: Who Wins The Battle In 2025?
Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 vs Dimensity 9400: Benchmark Comparison
To see how Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 vs Dimensity 9400 perform under stress, we can look at popular benchmarks like AnTuTu and GeekBench 6.
| Chipset | AnTuTu 10 | GeekBench 6 Single-Core | GeekBench 6 Multi-Core |
| Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 | 3,561,559 | 2,749 | 9,860 |
| Dimensity 9400 | 2,567,604 | 2,874 | 8,969 |
Here’s what this tells you:
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 has a higher multi-core score, making it better for heavy multitasking and games that utilize multiple CPU cores.
- Dimensity 9400 slightly surpasses in single-core performance, which may benefit apps that rely on single-threaded performance.
For most games and demanding apps, multi-core performance tends to matter more, giving Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 a slight edge.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Vs Dimensity 9400: Gaming Performance
Gaming is one of the most demanding tasks for modern smartphones, and the GPU plays a crucial role here.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 5: The Adreno 840 GPU is optimized for high-resolution gaming. It supports 120FPS at 4K and handles graphically intensive games efficiently. Combined with LPDDR5X memory at 4800 MHz, game loading times are minimal, and frame drops are rare.
Dimensity 9400: Its Mali-G925 Immortalis MP12 GPU has a higher frequency (1612 MHz) and memory at 5333 MHz. This allows smooth gameplay, especially in GPU-heavy games or games optimized for Mali GPUs.
Here, have a look at how Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 vs Dimensity 9400 compares in terms of popular games:
| Game Title | Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Performance | Dimensity 9400 Performance | Notes |
| Genshin Impact | 60-120 FPS, stable at 4K | 50-90 FPS, stable at 4K | Snapdragon handles multi-core better, smoother in open-world scenes |
| Call of Duty: Mobile | 120 FPS max, ultra settings | 90-120 FPS, ultra settings | Snapdragon slightly better in long multiplayer matches |
| PUBG Mobile | 90-120 FPS, ultra HD | 90 FPS, ultra HD | Snapdragon has more consistent frame rates |
| Asphalt 9: Legends | 120 FPS, max graphics | 120 FPS, max graphics | Both perform well, Dimensity’s higher GPU frequency shows stable textures |
| Fortnite Mobile | 90-120 FPS, high settings | 90-120 FPS, high settings | Dimensity provides slightly faster rendering in some scenes |
| League of Legends: Wild Rift | 120 FPS, max settings | 120 FPS, max settings | Both handle competitive MOBAs efficiently |
Also Read: Exynos 1380 vs Snapdragon 778G: Gaming & Workload Comparison 2025
AI & Camera Performance
Both Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 vs Dimensity 9400 come with powerful neural processors that enhance AI-driven features. Snapdragon’s Hexagon NPU excels at AI photography, including low-light improvements, real-time video stabilization, and scene optimization.
Dimensity 9400’s NPU 890 is highly efficient for tasks like social media filters, object recognition, and AI-enhanced photo processing. Both chips support up to 320MP cameras and 8K video capture at 60FPS, meaning either will deliver excellent mobile photography and videography.
Verdict: Both chipsets offer flagship-level AI and camera performance, so your choice should depend on the specific app optimizations you value most rather than raw camera specs.
Battery & Efficiency
Built on a 3nm process, both Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 vs Dimensity 9400 are highly energy-efficient. Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 maintains stable performance during long gaming sessions with minimal thermal throttling, while Dimensity 9400 handles heat well, though GPU-heavy tasks can generate slightly higher temperatures.
For everyday usage, including browsing, streaming, and moderate gaming, both chips offer long battery life and efficient power consumption.
Verdict: Both are energy-efficient, but Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 may offer slightly better thermal stability during prolonged high-performance tasks.
Real-World Performance
In everyday usage, both Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 vs Dimensity 9400 perform exceptionally well. You’ll notice smooth multitasking, fast app launches, and high frame rates in most games. Social media apps, video streaming, and AI-powered tools run without lag.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 tends to feel slightly snappier when juggling multiple heavy apps or rendering large files, thanks to its multi-core advantage. Dimensity 9400 provides excellent gaming performance with slightly faster memory, making it ideal for graphically demanding titles and high-refresh-rate displays.
Verdict: Both chips deliver a premium user experience, but Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 feels more consistent in multi-tasking and multi-core heavy scenarios, while Dimensity 9400 excels in GPU-heavy gaming.
Also Read: 5 Best 5G Phones Under 25000: Top Picks You Can Get Today
Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Vs Dimensity 9400: Pros & Cons
| Chipset | Pros | Cons |
| Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 | Excellent multi-core performance, High 5G speeds, Smooth gaming in open-world titles, Efficient thermal management | Slightly lower GPU frequency, Memory speed slightly lower than Dimensity 9400 |
| Dimensity 9400 | High GPU frequency and memory speed, Strong performance in GPU-heavy games, Efficient AI processing, Smooth multitasking | Lower multi-core CPU performance, Slower peak 5G download speed |
Verdict: Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 is better for overall performance and multitasking, while Dimensity 9400 shines in GPU-heavy gaming and memory-intensive tasks.
Which Processor Should You Choose?
Choosing the right processor depends on your priorities: gaming, photography, multitasking, or connectivity.
| Choose Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 If | Choose Dimensity 9400 If |
| You play multi-core heavy games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty: Mobile | You play GPU-intensive games like Asphalt 9 or Fortnite Mobile |
| You want faster 5G downloads | You want higher GPU frequency and faster memory for smoother graphics |
| You prioritize multi-core performance | You prefer efficient GPU performance for graphically rich titles |
| You want better thermal management during long gaming sessions | You are looking for strong AI-assisted camera features with fast memory |
Final Thoughts
Both Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 vs Dimensity 9400 are flagship-level processors capable of handling gaming, AI, photography, and videography. Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 excels in multi-core performance, gaming consistency, and 5G speed, while Dimensity 9400 stands out in GPU-heavy games, memory speed, and AI efficiency. Your choice should depend on your specific usage patterns, but either chip delivers a premium smartphone experience in 2025.
Also Read: 13 Best Mobile Phones Under 25000 That Exceed Expectations In 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which is better for gaming, Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 or Dimensity 9400?
Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 excels in multi-core heavy games like Genshin Impact, while Dimensity 9400 performs better in GPU-intensive titles like Asphalt 9 and Fortnite Mobile.
2. Can both chipsets handle 8K video recording?
Yes, both Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 and Dimensity 9400 support 8K video capture at 60FPS and 4K at 120FPS, delivering high-quality video for flagship smartphones.
3. Which chipset offers faster 5G speeds?
Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 supports up to 10,000 Mbps download, while Dimensity 9400 reaches up to 7,300 Mbps. Snapdragon is better for high-speed 5G downloads and streaming.
4. Are there differences in AI and camera performance?
Both chips feature powerful NPUs for AI tasks. Snapdragon is strong in low-light and video stabilization, while Dimensity excels in social media filters and real-time AI enhancements.
5. Which processor is more power-efficient?
Both are built on a 3nm process, offering excellent energy efficiency. Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 has slightly better thermal management during heavy gaming sessions, while Dimensity 9400 performs efficiently under moderate use.
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