Qualcomm has unveiled its highly-anticipated flagship mobile chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, at the annual Snapdragon Tech Summit 2023. This powerful chip is set to power the next generation of top-tier Android smartphones in 2024. In this article, we’ll dive deep into what the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has to offer and how it’s poised to shape the future of mobile technology.
Table of Contents
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: The CPU Powerhouse
Qualcomm’s choice for the CPU in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is notable. While they opted for a conventional octa-core design, they incorporated cutting-edge ARM cores into this chip. The chip is manufactured using TSMC’s 4nm process node, ensuring excellent efficiency.
The CPU configuration includes a single prime core, the Cortex-X4, clocked at a blazing 3.3 GHz. Accompanying this excellent core are 3x Cortex-A720 cores clocked at 3.2 GHz and 2x Cortex-A720 cores at 3.0 GHz. What’s unique here is the use of two different clock speeds for the Cortex-A720 cores, a first for Qualcomm. This diversity in core speeds is expected to lead to enhanced multi-core performance, making the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 a powerhouse in terms of processing capabilities.
In summary, the CPU of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a significant upgrade over its predecessor, promising a 30% performance improvement and a 20% boost in efficiency.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Specifications
| CPU | Octa-core, Kryo CPU |
| CPU Cores | 1x 3.3GHz (Cortex-X4) 3x 3.2GHz (Cortex-A720) 2x 3.0GHz (Cortex-A720) 2x 2.3GHz (Cortex-A520) |
| Process Technology | TSMC’s 4nm process |
| GPU | New Adreno GPU Unreal Engine Global Illumination |
| Memory Support | LPDDR5X, up to 4.8GHz |
| Machine Learning and AI | New Hexagon AI Engine Generates up to 20 tokens per second Run on-device AI models |
| ISP | New Cognitive ISP |
| Camera Capability | Semantic Segmentation up to 12 layers Dual Camera experience Dolby HDR Capture |
| Video Capability | Night Vision for Darker scenes |
| Modem | Snapdragon X75 5G modem Up to 10 Gbps Peak Download Up to 3.5 Gbps Peak Upload |
| Wi-Fi Support | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 LE Audio aptX Lossless |
| Others | AV1 Codec Support NavIC Support Snapdragon Seamless |
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: Geekbench Scores (Leaked)
A leaked Geekbench 6 score from the Xiaomi 14, the first phone to feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, has revealed impressive numbers. The single-core score stands at 2207, while the multi-core score soars to an outstanding 7494. These scores indicate remarkable performance and set the stage for high expectations from this chipset.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: A New Standard in GPU Performance
In the graphics department, Qualcomm is once again pushing boundaries. The Adreno 740 GPU in the previous Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 was already a leader in mobile GPU performance. Now, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 introduces the Adreno 750 GPU, which boasts 25% faster performance and 25% improved power efficiency. It can handle 240FPS gaming on 240Hz displays and features the Adreno Frame Motion Engine 2.0 for real-time frame generation.
What’s even more exciting is the support for Unreal Engine 5’s Lumen system with Global Illumination. It elevates the visual experience on smartphones to a console-level standard. The new Adreno GPU is set to provide a significant boost in both performance and efficiency.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: AI and Machine Learning Prowess
Qualcomm is focusing heavily on AI for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Teaming up with Meta, they’re bringing on-device, private AI experiences to users. The Hexagon AI Engine, 98% faster and 40% more efficient than its predecessor, can process images in less than a second. This chipset supports multi-modality and simultaneously handles text, photos, and speech processing.
Users can run AI models locally on their Snapdragon 8 Gen 3-powered devices, and this chipset can handle a wide range of AI models, including OpenAI’s GPT-3-powered models. The Hexagon NPU can personalize AI experiences, such as planning trips based on user data, making it one of the most potent AI co-processors in the mobile market.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: Revolutionary ISP for Imaging
The Image Signal Processor (ISP) in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has undergone a significant upgrade. With the addition of AI, it can perform real-time semantic segmentation with up to 12 layers, allowing for precise object separation and color adjustments in images. Moreover, it can remove objects from captured videos, expand pictures, and enhance video quality, including 4K 30FPS video processing.
The ISP also introduces a “Vlogger’s view,” enabling the use of both front and back cameras for vlogging. Qualcomm has taken transparency seriously by ensuring that images captured on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 are C2PA-compliant, maintaining their authenticity.
Connectivity and More
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 features Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon X75 5G modem, delivering impressive download and upload speeds. With Wi-Fi 7 support and Bluetooth 5.4, it ensures seamless connectivity. Qualcomm has also introduced Snapdragon Seamless, facilitating data sharing and display mirroring between Android smartphones and Windows laptops.
In conclusion, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a powerhouse of innovation, offering significant upgrades in CPU, GPU, AI, imaging, and connectivity. While it may not match Apple’s single-threaded CPU performance, it excels in other areas. It’s now up to smartphone manufacturers to leverage these capabilities and provide users with a smarter and more powerful mobile experience.
Conclusion
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is poised to revolutionize the smartphone industry with its exceptional performance and advanced features. As it powers the next generation of Android smartphones, we can expect an impressive leap in overall user experience.
Get ready to witness a new era in mobile technology with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
