Announced in November 2023, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 is a mid-range chipset rocking an octa-core CPU with up to 2.63GHz maximum frequency. It’s a popular smartphone chipset that delivers excellent performance without breaking the bank.
On the other hand, the Snapdragon 888 is an older chip that was announced in November 2020. It arrived as a flagship chipset but can now be found in mid-range phones as well. The chip also has eight CPU cores but with a higher peak frequency.
Despite one being a flagship chip and the other one a mid-range chip, the performance gap isn’t as significant as you might think, thanks to rapid advancements in chip technology. Modern mid-range chips are capable of delivering the same level of performance that were exclusive to flagship chips a few years ago. Anyway, let’s put the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 and the Snapdragon 888 to test on various benchmarks and see how they stack up against each other.
Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 vs Snapdragon 888: Benchmark comparison
Note: The tests were conducted on the OnePlus Nord CE4 (powered by Snapdragon 7 Gen 3) and OnePlus 9 Pro (powered by Snapdragon 888).
AnTuTu comparison
AnTuTu is a popular benchmarking tool that evaluates a device’s overall performance by running a series of tests. It measures four key areas: CPU (processing power), GPU (graphics performance), Memory (read/write speed and RAM efficiency), and UX (user experience, including smoothness and responsiveness). The final score is a combination of these factors — a higher score generally means better overall performance.
The Snapdragon 888 still holds a clear advantage over the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 in the AnTuTu benchmark, with an overall score that’s around 17% higher. While the 7 Gen 3 edges ahead in CPU performance, the Snapdragon 888 dominates in GPU, memory, and UX — delivering 19% better graphics, 34% faster memory performance, and a 35% boost in user experience.
| SD 7 Gen 3 | SD 888 | |
|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu score | 819,655 | 958,743 |
| CPU | 269,334 | 257,236 |
| GPU | 256,584 | 305,351 |
| Memory | 129,961 | 174,153 |
| UX | 163,776 | 222,003 |
Geekbench comparison
Geekbench is a widely used benchmarking tool that measures a device’s CPU performance. It runs a variety of real-world tests, like web browsing, image processing, and machine learning tasks. The results are split into two scores: Single-core (how fast a single core performs) and Multi-core (how well all cores work together). Higher scores indicate faster and more efficient performance, especially in demanding apps and multitasking.
In Geekbench 6, the Snapdragon 888 shows a modest 11% lead in single-core performance over the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3.. However, the gap widens in multi-core performance, where the 888 pulls ahead by 21%, offering noticeably better results in heavier workloads and multitasking scenarios.
| SD 7 Gen 3 | SD 888 | |
| Single core | 1,154 | 1,286 |
| Multi core | 3,018 | 3,654 |
Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 vs Snapdragon 888: Key differences explained!
Now that we’ve seen benchmark results, let’s break down the differences between these two chips for better understanding.
CPU
Both Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 and Snapdragon 888 are octa-core processors, but they greatly differ in architecture, core design, and manufacturing process.
The 7 Gen 3, for instance, is built using TSMC’s 4nm process, which offers better power efficiency and thermal management compared to the older 5nm process used in the Snapdragon 888. The chip uses 1+3+4 core configuration, featuring one high-performance Cortex-A715 prime core, three Cortex-A715 performance cores, and four Cortex-A510 efficiency cores.
The Snapdragon 888 also uses the same core setup (1+3+4), but with older ARMv8 architecture (the 7 Gen 3 uses ARMv9). The CPU consists of one Cortex-X1 prime core, three Cortex-A78 performance cores, and four Cortex-A55 efficiency cores. For comparison, the Cortex-A715 offers nearly the same performance as Cortex-X1 but with a greater power efficiency.
GPU
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 is equipped with Adreno 732 GPU. It uses a newer architecture, offering better power efficiency and enhanced graphical performance compared to previous generations. It’s not a flagship GPU, but delivers a smooth and responsive gaming experience, even with some demanding games.
On the other hand, the Snapdragon 888 has Adreno 660. It doesn’t sound superior to the Adreno 732 at first glance, but this one actually delivers superior graphical performance because of higher FLOPS and shading units. This GPU also delivers higher frame rates and better graphics quality, making it a solid choice for gamers over Snapdragon 7 Gen 3.
Connectivity
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 packs a X63 5G modem, offering a solid 5G performance with a peak download speed of 5Gbps. It ensures fast and stable network connectivity. Additionally, the chip has Bluetooth 5.2 for reliable data transfer and Wi-Fi 6E support (with 2.9Gbps peak speed). Overall, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 offers excellent connectivity features for most users.
The Snapdragon 888, on the other hand, comes with a more advanced X60 5G modem with a higher 7.5Gbps peak download speed and 3Gbps peak upload speeds. This chip also supports Wi-Fi 6E with a higher peak speed of 3.6Gbps.
In terms of connectivity, the Snapdragon 888 takes the lead with faster speeds over 5G and Wi-Fi connections. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, however, is still very competitive and is more than sufficient for most users.
Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 vs Snapdragon 888: Verdict
The Snapdragon 888 is clearly the better performer, especially when it comes to GPU power, camera capabilities, and cutting-edge connectivity features like faster Wi-Fi 6E and 5G speeds. It’s ideal for users who prioritize high-end gaming, professional-grade photography, and overall flagship performance.
On the other hand, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 offers excellent performance for mid-range devices, with solid GPU and CPU performance, efficient connectivity, and competitive battery efficiency. It’s a great choice for users who want a well-rounded experience without breaking the bank.
| SD 7 Gen 3 | SD 888 | |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | November 2023 | December 2020 |
| Manufacturing | 4nm (TSMC) | 5nm (Samsung) |
| CPU | 1 x 2.63 GHz — Cortex-A715 3 x 2.4 GHz — Cortex-A715 4 x 1.8 GHz — Cortex-A510 | 1 x 2.84 GHz — Cortex-X1 3 x 2.42 GHz — Cortex-A78 4 x 1.8 GHz — Cortex-A55 |
| GPU | Adreno 720 GPU | Adreno 660 |
| NPU | Hexagon NPU | Hexagon 780 NPU |
| Memory | LPDDR5, up to 3.2GHz | LPDDR5, up to 3.2GHz |
| Camera | Spectra triple 12-bit ISPs Up to 200MP single camera Up to 4K video recording | Spectra triple 14-bit ISP Up to 200MP single camera Up to 8K video recording |
| Connectivity | Snapdragon X63 5G modem Downlink: 5Gbps Qualcomm FastConnect 6700 Wi-Fi 6E (peak speed: 2.9Gbps) Bluetooth 5.4 | Snapdragon X60 5G modem Downlink: 7.5Gbps Qualcomm FastConnect 6900 Wi-Fi 6E (peak speed: 3.6Gbps) Bluetooth 5.2 |
Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 phones:
Vivo V40
Motorola Edge 50 Pro 5G
OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G
Honor 200
Vivo T3 Pro
Snapdragon 888 phones:
Comments