This year, Qualcomm has focused on the Snapdragon 8th Generation and has brought some superb processors into the market. Yesterday, this tally added Snapdragon 8 Gen 5. But is it different from Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5? To find this out, we bring you the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 comparison, see all the key differences, and predict which processor is better for you to buy. Qualcomm has had a legacy as one of the most admired, most reliable, and most high-performing chipset makers in the mobile phone industry. So, to get deeper insights into this legacy and compare the best Snapdragon processors, let us dive into this comparison blog.
Also Read: iQOO 15 Vs OnePlus 15: Price, Specs, All Details!
A Look At Qualcomm’s Year: Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Makes IT Among Solid Launches
Just as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 launched, it made its entry into the best mobile phone processors. This processor has brought in some solid specs like 4 million AnTuTu scores, solid GPU levels, and an interesting price segment, as it will come majorly in phones around the 30-40K range in the Indian market.
2025 has been an evolutionary year for mobile phones. The trend of slim and compact phones has returned this year. Big batteries and solid performance priorities have surged this year, and Qualcomm, one of the leading brands in the chipset industry, has also had a fair share in this year’s top mobile trends.
Qualcomm has launched four major processors this year: Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and Snapdragon 8 Gen 5. All these processors have targeted different price segments, while 8 Gen 5, 8s Gen 4 come in mid-range flagships, Elite Gen 5 has covered the premium flagship zone, and the 7 Gen 4 comes in the budget segment.
Here are some main highlights of these chipsets. Main highlights of each:
- Snapdragon 7 Gen 4: 2.8GHz, 4nm, 27% CPU and 30% GPU boost, Wi-Fi 7, AI on-device.
- Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 & 8 Gen 5: Mid-range flagship processors, built for enhanced gaming, offer around 3.5 to 3.8GHz, and solid connectivity.
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5: The best and most premium flagship, top performance, advanced camera features.
Also Read: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 vs Apple A19: Which Is Faster?
Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5: Key Differences Explained
| Feature | Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| Basic Nature | Basic, meant for standard flagships. | Elite, meant for premium flagships. |
| Manufacturing | 3nm | 3nm |
| Cache [L2] | 4MB | 12MB |
| GPU | Adreno 840 | Adreno 840 |
| Target devices | Phones costing around 40000 price segment in India. | Phones costing around 70000 to 100000 in India. |
| Gaming Powers | Advanced, meant for raw gaming, and has great graphics. | Highly advanced, meant for premium-level mobile games with heavy graphics. |
Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5: Comparison
Here are the top comparisons between Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5:
No. of Cores
| Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 | Winner |
| 8 | 8 | Draw |
Top CPU Clock Speed
| Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 | Winner |
| Up to 4.6 GHz. | Up to 3.8GHz. | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. |
Geekbench Scores
| Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 | Winner |
| Single-core: 3600 | Multi-core: 11200 | Single-core: 3000 | Multi-core: 10000 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. |
AnTuTu Scores
| Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 | Winner |
| Around 3.9M to 4.2M | Around 3.4M to 4M | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. |
Also Read: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Launch Story: Meet The Best Qualcomm Processor
By far, in all the comparisons and benchmarks, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is better than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5.
However, Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 is the first choice for many, as it has almost same benchmarks and performance as Elite Gen 5, and comes at a way more affordable price than it.
But how? Well, it is because of the devices from which it is coming. Let us have a look at the devices of both these processors as well.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5: Devices
Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 is coming in the OnePlus 15R, and no other upcoming devices have been confirmed with this processor.
Talking about Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, it is available in phones like Nubia RedMagic 11 Pro, OnePlus 15, iQOO 15, Realme GT 8 Pro, and more.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5: Which Processor Should You Choose?
When it comes to processors, the choices become difficult, especially when it’s about two processors from the same brand. Same number of cores, same GPU, same manufacturing, and it feels like they are almost identical. But still, here is a clear idea for you, if you have a choice to make.
| Choose Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 If | Choose Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 If |
| You want the fastest processor among mid-range processors. | You want the most premium-level processor |
| You are looking to buy a phone around the 40K or 50K price segment. | Your budget is higher, and you can afford premium flagship phones. |
| Basic-level gaming is enough for you. | Pro-level gaming is what you want. |
| You seek smooth multitasking without any lag. | You want higher and advanced multitasking phones. |
| You want good graphics and FPS. | You seek the best FPS and graphics settings. |
Also Read: Realme GT 8 Pro Vs iQOO 15: Which Phone Should You Buy?
End Note
That’s it from our side in this conversation on Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Both processors are rock-solid choices for performance, and if you are ever in doubt, then take control of your priority. Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 wins only in terms of budget, efficiency, and a versatile processor; or else, in gaming and sheer performance, 8 Elite Gen 5 beats it. All said and done, both processors are peak-level performers, and you can go with any one, and you won’t regret it.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Launching In India?
Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 is coming alongside the OnePlus 15R in India in December 2025.
What is the AnTuTu score of Snapdragon 8 Gen 5?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 reportedly hits the top AnTuTu scores of up to 4 million.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5: Which is better?
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 beats Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 in terms of performance and gaming specs. But in terms of versatility, power efficiency, and price tag, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 is better.
Which Phones have Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5?
iQOO 15, OnePlus 15, Realme GT 8 Pro, Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, Nubia RedMagic 11, etc.
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