Mediatek Dimensity 9300 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: Which Chip Is Better?

Microchips

Flagship showdown: Performance, efficiency, AI, and real-world results

Intro | The Ultimate Android Chip Battle ⚔️

When it comes to flagship Android smartphones, the heart of the performance war lies in two names:

MediaTek Dimensity and Qualcomm Snapdragon. While Snapdragon has long been the go-to for premium devices, MediaTek has been shaking things up especially with the Dimensity 9300, their most ambitious SoC to date.

In this blog, we’re putting the Dimensity 9300 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 side by side across performance, gaming, thermals, AI, camera support, and real-world experience.

Mediatek Dimensity 9300 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Let’s break it down

1. CPU Architecture & Performance 🧠

   
   

   Dimensity 9300 🔹

• Fabrication: TSMC 4nm (2nd Gen)

• Core Setup: All-big core architecture

  
  

  • 4x Cortex-X4 (3.25GHz)

  • 4x Cortex-A720 (2.0GHz)

• No efficiency cores – focuses on pure high-performance output

• Geekbench Score:

  
  

  • Single-Core: ~2,250

  • Multi-Core: ~7,500

🧪 Real-world feel: Super-fast app loads, top-tier multitasking—but can heat up quicker under stress.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 🔹

• Fabrication: TSMC 4nm

• Core Setup: Balanced layout

  
  

  • 1x Cortex-X3 (3.2GHz)

  • 2x Cortex-A715

  • 2x Cortex-A710

  • 3x Cortex-A510 (efficiency cores)

• Geekbench Score:

  
  

  • Single-Core: ~1,900

  • Multi-Core: ~5,400

⚙️ Real-world feel: Smooth and efficient with better thermal handling and sustained performance.

✅ Winner: Dimensity 9300 for raw performance, but Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 wins in thermal balance & sustained loads.

2. Gaming & GPU Power 🎮

Dimensity 9300 🔹

• GPU: ARM Immortalis-G720 MC12

• Ray Tracing Support: Yes

• Performance: Exceptional in short bursts; handles 144Hz displays with ease

• Gaming Focus: Prioritizes frame rates and visuals but thermals may throttle

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 🔹

• GPU: Adreno 740

• Ray Tracing Support: Yes

• Gaming Performance: Optimized for sustained gameplay

• Snapdragon Elite Gaming suite = Better integration for developers

✅ Winner: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for long-session gamers, Dimensity 9300 for burst performance and higher peaks

3. Power Efficiency & Thermals 🔋

Dimensity 9300 🔹

• Power draw is higher due to all-performance-core setup

• Can heat up quickly under load (especially in thinner phones)

• Better suited for devices with vapor chambers or cooling tech

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 🔹

• More balanced core design

• Excellent idle power management

• Battery life typically 10–15% better in day-to-day use

✅ Winner: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for better thermal and battery management

4. Camera & ISP (Image Signal Processor) 📷

Dimensity 9300 🔹

• Imagiq 980 ISP

• 18-bit HDR Video, AI-NR, 8K30 support

• Up to 320MP camera sensor support

• AI-based photo enhancements baked into SoC

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 🔹

• Spectra ISP

• Up to 200MP support, 8K HDR at 30fps

• Real-time semantic segmentation for photo optimization

• Widely used by top brands (Samsung, OnePlus, etc.)

✅ Winner: Tie – Both are packed with pro-level camera support, but Snapdragon has wider OEM optimization

5. AI & NPU Capabilities 🤖

Dimensity 9300 🔹

• APU 790

• Designed for GenAI and large language models

• Handles real-time translation, photo editing, and on-device processing

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 🔹

• Hexagon Processor (with fused AI accelerators)

• Supports on-device LLMs, smart camera, and AI-based noise canceling

• Built-in AI for Snapdragon Sound, AR/VR, and accessibility

✅ Winner: Dimensity 9300 has stronger focus on AI-first workloads and on-device LLM tasks

6. Real-World Devices Using These Chips 📱

Dimensity 9300 Phones 🔹

• Vivo X100 Pro

• Oppo Find X7

• iQOO 12 series (select variants)

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Phones 🔹

• Samsung Galaxy S23 / S23 Ultra

• OnePlus 11

• Xiaomi 13 / 13 Pro

• ASUS ROG Phone 7

✅ Snapdragon wins in brand variety and global reach

Final Verdict: Which Chip Should You Choose? 🧠

Category	Winner
Performance	Dimensity 9300 ✅
Gaming	Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 ✅
Efficiency	Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 ✅
AI Features	Dimensity 9300 ✅
Thermals	Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 ✅
Real-World Use	Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 ✅

Processor Comparison

Conclusion 🧾

If you’re chasing raw power, GenAI features, and cutting-edge performance, the Dimensity 9300 is an exciting leap forward.But if you prefer a balanced experience with great efficiency, stability, and better gaming over long sessions, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 remains a rock-solid choice.

📝 Written by Kalyan Bhattacharjee

Tech Blogger | Android Performance Tester | Fintech Shield

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