Highlights

• Snapdragon 8 Elite features custom Oryon cores with a 2+6 setup, 24MB L2 cache and up to 4.32GHz clock speed, enhancing performance.
• MediaTek Dimensity 9400 uses a 1+3+4 big-core layout, achieving scores over 3 million and supports advanced 3nm 3NE node architecture.
• Both chips feature advanced GPU, NPU capabilities and 5G modem connectivity.
• Both chips focus on real-time 3D rendering and on-device AI processing.

The flagship chipsets for 2025 are here. We have Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite and MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400 all set to power the upcoming devices. While most phones with these chips will launch in 2025, we already have two smartphones using these powerhouse SoCs — the Realme GT7 Pro with the Snapdragon 8 Elite and the Vivo X200 Pro with the Dimensity 9400.

Before we get to see more smartphones featuring these new and powerful chipsets, let’s do a quick comparison to see which one can come out as a winner.

Snapdragon 8 Elite Vs MediaTek Dimensity 9400 – Specs Comparison

Snapdragon 8 Elite Vs MediaTek Dimensity 9400 – CPU

The Snapdragon 8 Elite packs Qualcomm’s second-generation custom Oryon cores in a 2+6 setup, supporting clock speeds of up to 4.32GHz. This high speed gives it a significant boost in both single-threaded and multi-threaded performance. It also features a massive 24MB L2 cache.

Meanwhile, the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 sports an all-big-core layout with a 1+3+4 configuration using standard ARM cores with a top clock speed of 3.62GHz.

MediaTek claims the Dimensity 9400 achieves scores of over 3 million points, which is the same as Qualcomm’s performance claims for the Snapdragon 8 Elite.

Apart from the custom Oryon cores in Qualcomm’s design and MediaTek’s all-big-core structure, there aren’t any major technical distinctions at the CPU level. Both chips use TSMC’s advanced 3nm 3NE node architecture.

Snapdragon 8 Elite Vs MediaTek Dimensity 9400 – GPU

The Snapdragon 8 Elite is equipped with the Adreno 830, which is based on Qualcomm’s Oryon design. It’s compatible with Unreal Engine 5.3, allowing real-time 3D rendering. The GPU uses a sliced architecture that enhances ray tracing performance by up to 35% with Qualcomm claiming it delivers the best ray tracing performance in any mobile chip.

MediaTek Dimensity 9400 features the Immortalis G925 GPU and a 12-core graphics unit delivering a 40% improvement in ray tracing capabilities. It also supports MediaTek HyperEngine Technology developed in partnership with ARM as well as OMM support for realistic depth and 3D effects during gameplay.

Both the Snapdragon 8 Elite and Dimensity 9400 now support real-time 3D rendering and have advanced ray tracing at the forefront.

Snapdragon 8 Elite Vs MediaTek Dimensity 9400 – NPU

The Snapdragon 8 Elite features Qualcomm’s latest Hexagon NPU known as the Hexagon AI Engine, which supports multimodal generative AI.

This engine can process images, videos, text and audio directly on the device.

It works alongside the ISP in the chipset to enhance photos with natural colours, HDR, bokeh and other effects through AI-powered segmentation

The Dimensity 9400, on the other hand, includes MediaTek’s 8th-generation NPU 890, which supports LoRA training models, AI-powered video generation and on-device AI processing.

MediaTek’s Dimensity Agentic AI Engine also allows developers to easily integrate the NPU’s capabilities into apps.

Both processors are equipped to support on-device AI capabilities. Qualcomm and MediaTek are collaborating with Google and Meta to enable support for Gemini AI and Meta AI models.

Snapdragon 8 Elite Vs MediaTek Dimensity 9400 – Modem Connectivity

The Snapdragon 8 Elite uses the SnapdragX80 5G modem on with peak download speeds of up to 10Gbps and upload speeds of up to 3.5Gbps. It also features Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0 along with support for NavIC.

Meanwhile, the Dimensity 9400 comes with the 3GPP Release-17 5G modem offering similar download and upload speeds as the Snapdragon X80. While it also supports Wi-Fi 7, it’s limited to Bluetooth 5.4 instead of 6.0.

The difference between Bluetooth 5.4 and 6.0 is minimal. The Dimensity 9400 also supports NavIC.

Both modems offer advanced 5G capabilities, covering sub-6GHz and mmWave bands.

Snapdragon 8 Elite Vs MediaTek Dimensity 9400 – Benchmark Performance Comparison

In the past, Qualcomm’s chips have usually been a step ahead of others but MediaTek has been a tough competitor.

As per a recent GSMArena report, the Snapdragon 8 Elite takes the lead in CPU performance, especially in Geekbench 6.

It scores 10% higher than the Dimensity 9400 in multi-core tasks and 15% higher in single-core tests.

However, in mixed-use benchmarks like AnTuTu 10, the Dimensity 9400 edges out the Snapdragon with a 2923567 score compared to 8 Elite’s 2746604 score. For most users, this difference won’t be noticeable in day-to-day tasks.

When it comes to graphics-heavy benchmarks like 3DMark’s Wild Life Extreme and Solar Bay, the Dimensity 9400’s Immortalis GPU slightly outperforms the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s Adreno 830 by 7-8%. It’s impressive to see MediaTek’s GPU edge out Qualcomm’s, even by a small margin.

Overall, both the Snapdragon 8 Elite and Dimensity 9400 can handle just about anything you throw at them.

FAQs

Q1. What CPU setup does the Snapdragon 8 Elite feature?

Answer. The Snapdragon 8 Elite packs Qualcomm’s second-generation custom Oryon cores in a 2+6 setup, supporting clock speeds of up to 4.32GHz.

Q2. What is the GPU used in the MediaTek Dimensity 9400?

Answer. MediaTek Dimensity 9400 features the Immortalis G925 GPU and a 12-core graphics unit delivering a 40% improvement in ray tracing capabilities.

Q3. What NPU does the Snapdragon 8 Elite have?

Answer. The Snapdragon 8 Elite features Qualcomm’s latest Hexagon NPU known as the Hexagon AI Engine, which supports multimodal generative AI.

Q4. What modem does the Snapdragon 8 Elite use?

Answer. The Snapdragon 8 Elite uses the Snapdragon X80 5G modem with peak download speeds of up to 10Gbps and upload speeds of up to 3.5Gbps.

Q5. What advanced node architecture do both processors use?

Answer. Both chips use TSMC’s advanced 3nm 3NE node architecture.

Also Read : Qualcomm’s Next-Gen Snapdragon Elite Chipset to Power Xiaomi 15 Series

Also Read : Qualcomm Unveils Snapdragon 8 Elite with Oryon CPU, Boosting Performance and Efficiency

Also Read : MediaTek Unveils Flagship Dimensity 9400 Chipset: Check Out List of Phones Set to Feature It

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