Snapdragon 8 gen 3 vs Dimensity 9300: Which is the best mobile chipset?

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs Dimensity 9300 comparison is a hot topic of discussion among tech enthusiasts. Both chipsets are flagship offerings from their respective brands, which means they are designed to meet the demands of consumers looking for top-tier performance. While they cater to a similar type of audience, each brings a different approach to the table.

Both processors offer excellent performance for demanding tasks like gaming and multitasking. However, there are enough differences that set them apart. In this article, we will look at the various aspects of these processors and try to determine the superior one.

Note: This article is subjective and reflects the writer's opinion

Snapdragon 8 gen 3 vs Dimensity 9300: Specifications

Hardware analysis of two flagship mobile CPUs (Image via Qualcomm)

Before we kick off our comparison, here’s a brief overview of the core configurations of the two chipsets.

Specifications	Snapdragon 8 gen 3	Dimensity 9300
Architecture	1x 3.3 GHz – Cortex-X4 3x 3.15 GHz – Cortex-A720 2x 2.96 GHz – Cortex-A720 2x 2.27 GHz – Cortex-A520	1x 3.25 GHz – Cortex-X4 3x 2.85 GHz – Cortex-X4 4x 2 GHz – Cortex-A720
Cores	8	8
Frequency	3300MHz	3250MHz
Instruction set	ARMv9.2-A	ARMv9.2-A
L3 cache	12MB	18MB
Process	4nm	4nm
TDP	6.3W	7W
GPU	Adreno 750	Mali-G720 Immortalis MP12
Shading units	1536	192
Shaders	3072	2304
Memory support	Up to 24GB LPDDR5X	Up to 24GB LPDDR5T
Connectivity	5G, WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4	5G, WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

On paper, both mobile chips look fantastic. You will see an impressive performance irrespective of the processor you choose. Nevertheless, there are a few visible differences.

First is the architecture. The latest Qualcomm silicon has a 1+5+2 CPU layout — one Cortex-X4 core, five Cortex-A720 cores, and two Cortex-A520 cores. Before I tell you what architecture its counterpart follows, let me tell you a little bit about these cores.

The X4 is a powerhouse core, and it is responsible for handling demanding tasks. The A520 is a power-efficient core that takes care of small background activities. The A720 comes in the middle with a good balance of performance and power efficiency.

Coming back to the topic, the offering from MediaTek is more aggressive. This CPU packs a punch with four X4 cores and four A720 cores, which I feel is a really brave move. However, it is also worth noting that each core doesn’t operate at the same frequency.

Another big difference lies in the shading unit. The Snapdragon processor has around eight times more shading units compared to its MediaTek counterpart. This means it will give more impressive visuals in high-resolution videos and advanced gaming.

Snapdragon 8 gen 3 vs Dimensity 9300: Performance

Which chip is more capable? (Image via YouTube/DroidHolic)

The technical specifications are good for guessing the power of a chip. However, they don’t always reflect real-world capabilities. To get more insights into the Snapdragon 8 gen 3 vs Dimensity 9300 analysis, I have compiled various synthetic test results of both chipsets (sourced from Nano Review).

Tests	Snapdragon 8 gen 3	Dimensity 9300
AnTuTu 10	2093011 (+1%)	2070127
GeekBench 6 Single-Core	2193	2239 (+2%)
GeekBench 6 Multi-Core Score	7304	7538 (+3%)
3DMark	17370 (+11%)	15671

The numbers prove why both are called flagship. There is only a marginal gap in almost every test except the 3DMark test, where the Snapdragon processor comes out as superior.

That said, the MediaTek chip also supports the newer LPDDR5T RAM standard, whereas Qualcomm continues with the older but most optimized LPDDR5X standard.

When it comes to the GPU, both are evenly matched. Nevertheless, you get more shading units in the Qualcomm offering, adding to its power.

Snapdragon 8 gen 3 vs Dimensity 9300: Efficiency and more

What these CPUs bring to the table (Image via MediaTek)

Both chips are built on the same 4nm node and don’t have much contrast in TDP as well. In general, MediaTek processors hold an edge in terms of battery life. However, this time, they have changed their approach, as they skipped the small efficiency cores and focused more on the raw power.

The other key features of both processors are as follows:

Features	Snapdragon 8 gen 3	Dimensity 9300
Display support	4K @ 60 Hz \|\| QHD+ @ 144 Hz	4K @ 120Hz \|\| WQHD @ 180Hz
External display	Up to 8K @ 30 Hz \|\| Up to 1080 @ 240 H	N/A
Camera	• Up to 36 MP triple camera @ 30 FPS with Zero Shutter Lag • Up to 64+36 MP dual camera @ 30 FPS with Zero Shutter Lag • Up to 108 MP single camera @ 30 FPS with Zero Shutter Lag • Up to 200 megapixel photo capture • 8K HDR video capture + 64 MP photo capture • 8K HDR video capture @ 30 FPS• 4K video capture @ 120 FPS • Slow-mo video capture at 720p @ 960 FPS	Max Camera Sensor Supported 320MP Max Video Capture Resolution 8K30 (7690 x 4320) 4K60 (3840 x 2160)
Charging	Qualcomm Quick Charge 5 Technology	USB-PD PPS

Both chipsets also include specialized AI processing hardware to facilitate multiple app functionalities. Overall, their AI capabilities seem closely aligned.

Snapdragon 8 gen 3 vs Dimensity 9300: Final verdict

Selecting the superior in the Snapdragon 8 gen 3 vs Dimensity 9300 battle is quite tricky. Both chipsets deliver a top-notch performance. Hence, there is no clear winner.

However, other factors might help you in deciding your ideal pick. The Snapdragon processor delivers an optimal balance of power and efficiency. Contrary to this, its counterpart has superior camera support, slightly better display resolution, and faster memory.

It is also worth noting that the device you are using (its hardware components) also impacts the chipset capabilities.

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Edited by Adarsh J Kumar