Introduction to Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
Qualcomm has unveiled its latest powerhouse, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, during the recent Snapdragon Summit 2025. This new chipset promises remarkable enhancements in performance compared to its predecessors. We got hands-on experience with the new processor, putting it through various benchmark tests that showcase its capabilities.
Benchmark Testing Overview
During our testing, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 was evaluated using Geekbench 6.5 and multiple 3DMark scenarios. Qualcomm provided reference designs featuring this new chip, equipped with 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM, 1TB of UFS 4.1 storage, and a stunning 6.8-inch OLED display boasting a 120Hz refresh rate at a resolution of 1440 x 3200 pixels. This setup allowed us to focus on the performance metrics without being hampered by device-specific variables.
Benchmark Results
The performance results from our benchmarks are impressive:
- 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
These numbers showcase a significant leap in performance, particularly when set against the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, which utilizes the previous generation Snapdragon 8 Elite chip.
Performance Comparison
For comparison, the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s benchmarks were as follows:
- 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
We also included the Apple A19 Pro from the iPhone 17 Pro as a benchmark competitor. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 performed admirably against this formidable rival:
- 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
Overall, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 showcased performance improvements ranging from 20.7% to 29% over the S25 Ultra’s earlier generation processor, excelling in both graphic-intensive and computing-centric tests.
Heat Management and Performance Deterioration
Despite these positive benchmarks, real-world performance under constant load remains to be fully evaluated. We conducted a Wild Life Stress Test to gauge sustained performance. After 20 continuous iterations, the device demonstrated a substantial thermal throttling, with performance metrics dropping to merely 55.5% of its peak potential. For context, the Galaxy S25 Ultra experienced only marginally better performance retention at 57.8% during the same test.
Conclusion
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is a robust upgrade that delivers impressive performance metrics in benchmark tests. However, potential buyers should remain cautious of its thermal management, as sustained performance under load is influenced heavily by device design and cooling solutions. With more consumer devices on the horizon, it will be crucial to see how this chipset performs in everyday usage.
Note: Qualcomm sponsored the author’s travel and accommodation for the Snapdragon Summit.
