Introduction to Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
At the Snapdragon Summit 2025, Qualcomm unveiled the much-anticipated Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. This new processor aims to redefine performance standards in mobile technology. During the event, journalists had the chance to run benchmark tests, and the results reveal a significant boost in performance compared to its predecessor.
Key Specifications of the Benchmark Device
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 was tested using Qualcomm’s reference design, consisting of an octa-core CPU, 24 GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and 1 TB of UFS 4.1 storage. The device featured a vibrant 6.8-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 1440 x 3200 pixels. This setup ensured an optimal environment for conducting reliable benchmarks.
Benchmark Results Overview
Qualcomm’s new chip was subjected to Geekbench 6.5 and several tests from 3DMark. Below are the results:
- Geekbench: Single Core – 3831, Multi-Core – 12383
- 3DMark Wild Life Extreme: 8329
- 3DMark Wild Life: 30614
- 3DMark Steel Nomad Light: 3150
- 3DMark Solar Bay: 14549
Comparative Analysis with Previous Models
To put these results into perspective, we compared them with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, which contains the previous generation Snapdragon 8 Elite processor in a special “For Galaxy” configuration. Here are its benchmark results:
- Geekbench: Single Core – 3100, Multi-Core – 9959
- 3DMark Wild Life Extreme: 6457
- 3DMark Wild Life: 23824
- 3DMark Steel Nomad Light: 2609
- 3DMark Solar Bay: 11272
In this comparison, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 shows improvements ranging from 20.7% to 29%, particularly excelling in graphics-intensive tasks.
Comparing with Apple’s A19 Pro
We also compared the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 against Apple’s A19 Pro found in the iPhone 17 Pro, with the following outcomes:
- Geekbench: Single Core – 3774, Multi-Core – 9637
- 3DMark Wild Life Extreme: 4751
- 3DMark Wild Life: 22846
- 3DMark Steel Nomad Light: 2216
- 3DMark Solar Bay: 11046
In this competitive landscape, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 holds its ground remarkably against the A19 Pro, showcasing Qualcomm’s advancements in mobile processing technology.
Heat Management and Performance Throttling
While the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 shows substantial performance improvements, real-world efficiency may vary. Performance in sustained loads, such as in the Wild Life Stress Test from 3DMark, indicated that the chip experiences significant throttling under prolonged usage. After 20 test runs at room temperature, performance dipped to only 55.5% of the maximum capacity. By comparison, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, equipped with its predecessor, recorded 57.8%, suggesting both chips face similar thermal challenges.
Conclusion
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 demonstrates impressive benchmark scores, representing a notable leap in mobile processor performance. However, real-world implications, especially regarding heat management, will require further testing with final consumer devices. As Qualcomm pushes the boundaries of mobile technology, it remains to be seen how manufacturers will implement these advancements in their upcoming smartphones.
