A Snapdragon processor is a system-on-chip (SoC) made by Qualcomm. It packs the CPU, graphics, AI engine, camera processor and 5G modem into a single piece of silicon, and it powers most Android phones plus a growing number of Windows laptops. Qualcomm sells it in four main phone tiers: the 8 series for flagships, 7 for upper midrange, 6 for midrange and 4 for budget phones. Each tier trades performance and features for price.
What is a Snapdragon processor?
The name “processor” is a little misleading. When people say a phone has a Snapdragon processor, they mean the whole SoC, not only the CPU.
A modern Snapdragon chip bundles these blocks onto one die:
- CPU (Kryo or Oryon): the general-purpose cores that run apps, the operating system and most of what you tap on.
- Adreno GPU: handles graphics, games, the interface animations and some compute tasks.
- Hexagon NPU: the AI engine. It runs on-device features like live translation, photo editing and voice transcription.
- Spectra ISP: the image signal processor. It turns raw camera sensor data into the photo you see.
- Snapdragon modem: the 4G and 5G radio, labelled X75, X80 and so on.
- FastConnect: the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth subsystem, including Wi-Fi 7 on recent chips.
- Sensing Hub and security blocks: low-power processors for always-on features, plus secure storage for keys and biometrics.
Putting everything on one chip saves space, cuts power use and lowers cost for phone makers. It also means the chip decides a lot more about your phone than you might expect. Camera processing, call quality, Wi-Fi speed and battery life all trace back to it.
Qualcomm doesn’t make phones, and it doesn’t manufacture chips either. It designs them, then pays a foundry to build them. TSMC builds most current Snapdragon chips. Samsung Foundry built several generations, including the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.
The Snapdragon CPU: from Kryo to Oryon
If you searched “snapdragon cpu,” this is the part you want. The CPU is the core cluster inside the SoC, and Qualcomm has taken two very different approaches to it.
The Kryo years
For most of the last decade, Qualcomm’s CPUs carried the Kryo brand. Early Kryo cores were custom designs. Later Kryo chips used standard Arm Cortex cores with small tweaks, so a “Kryo” CPU in a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 was really a mix of Cortex-X3, A715, A710 and A510 cores.
That approach worked, but it meant Qualcomm’s CPU performance depended largely on Arm’s roadmap. Apple, designing its own cores from scratch, kept a clear lead in single-core speed.
The Oryon era
Qualcomm bought Nuvia, a startup founded by former Apple chip architects, in 2021 for about $1.4 billion. Nuvia’s team became the core of Oryon, Qualcomm’s fully custom CPU design.
Oryon first shipped in the Snapdragon X Elite laptop chip in 2024. It arrived in phones later that year with the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which uses two “prime” Oryon cores and six “performance” Oryon cores. There are no small efficiency cores at all. That’s a major break from how Android phone CPUs had been built for years.
Arm sued Qualcomm in 2022, arguing that Nuvia’s license didn’t transfer. A US jury ruled largely in Qualcomm’s favor in December 2024. Oryon is now the CPU in Qualcomm’s flagship phone and PC chips, while its midrange and budget phone chips still use Arm Cortex cores.
Big, medium and little cores
Most Snapdragon CPUs split their cores into clusters:
- Prime core(s): run at the highest clock speed for bursty tasks like opening an app.
- Performance cores: carry sustained work like gaming and multitasking.
- Efficiency cores: handle background jobs at low power.
A spec like “1+3+4” means one prime core, three performance cores and four efficiency cores. Clock speed alone tells you little. A newer core at 2.8 GHz can easily beat an older one at 3.2 GHz.
How Snapdragon naming works
Qualcomm’s naming has changed three times since 2021, which confuses plenty of buyers. Here’s how to read a current name.
| Name part | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| First digit | The tier: 8 flagship, 7 upper mid, 6 mid, 4 budget | Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 |
| “Gen” number | The generation within that tier. Higher is newer | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| + | A boosted version of the base chip in the same tier | Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 |
| s | A cut-down or cost-optimised version | Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 |
| Elite | Qualcomm’s top tier, using custom Oryon cores | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| “for Galaxy” | A higher-clocked bin made for Samsung | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy |
| X prefix | Laptop and PC chips | Snapdragon X Elite |
Before 2021, Qualcomm used three-digit names like Snapdragon 888, 765G and 480. The first digit still marked the tier, so an 888 was a flagship and a 480 was a budget chip. You’ll still see these in older and refurbished phones.
The tricky part is that tiers overlap. A Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 is faster than an older 8 Gen 1 in many tasks. A 7s Gen 3 is a different, slower chip than a 7 Gen 3. Always check the full name, including the letter and generation, before you compare phones.
The four phone tiers at a glance
| Tier | Typical phone price | Current example chips | Example phones |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snapdragon 8 (Elite, Gen, 8s) | Roughly $500 to $1,300+ | 8 Elite, 8 Gen 3, 8s Gen 4 | Galaxy S25, OnePlus 13, Nothing Phone (3) |
| Snapdragon 7 (7+, 7, 7s) | Roughly $350 to $600 | 7+ Gen 3, 7 Gen 4, 7s Gen 3 | OnePlus Nord 4, Honor 400, Redmi Note 14 Pro+ |
| Snapdragon 6 | Roughly $250 to $400 | 6 Gen 4, 6 Gen 3 | Galaxy A36 |
| Snapdragon 4 | Under $250 | 4 Gen 2, 4s Gen 2 | Redmi 12 5G, Redmi A4 5G |
Prices vary hugely by region. Chinese and Indian brands often sell an 8-series phone for the price of a Galaxy A-series phone in Europe, so treat these bands as a rough guide.
Snapdragon 8 series: the flagship tier
The 8 series is where Qualcomm puts its newest technology first. You get the fastest CPU and GPU, the best camera processing, the most capable AI engine and the newest modem.
Snapdragon 8 Elite
The Snapdragon 8 Elite was announced in October 2024 and became the default flagship Android chip of 2025. It’s built on TSMC’s 3 nm process. Its CPU uses two prime Oryon cores at up to 4.32 GHz and six performance cores at up to 3.53 GHz.
Qualcomm claimed a 45% jump in CPU performance and 40% in GPU performance over the 8 Gen 3, with the GPU about 40% more power efficient and the overall system about 27% more efficient. Independent reviews broadly backed up a big generational leap, especially in multi-core work.
The Galaxy S25 series uses a “Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy” version with the prime cores clocked up to 4.47 GHz. Samsung used Snapdragon chips across every Galaxy S25 model worldwide, which ended the Exynos versus Snapdragon split that annoyed European buyers for years.
Other 8 Elite phones include the OnePlus 13, Xiaomi 15 series, Asus ROG Phone 9 and Galaxy Z Fold 7.
Two other details matter for real use. The Spectra ISP supports camera sensors up to 320 MP, though megapixel count is only a small part of photo quality. The bigger benefit is faster processing for multi-frame HDR and video. Qualcomm and Google also agreed that 8 Elite phones can receive up to eight years of Android OS and security updates. Whether your phone actually gets that depends on the brand.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in September 2025. It moves to third-generation Oryon cores, stays on a 3 nm process and pushes prime core clocks up to 4.6 GHz. Xiaomi’s 17 series was the first to ship with it in China, and it’s expected in most late 2025 and 2026 Android flagships.
The naming change matters. “8 Elite Gen 5” signals that Elite is now the flagship brand, with the original 8 Elite effectively becoming the first generation.
Watch out
Samsung has not officially confirmed which chip every Galaxy S26 model will use in every region. Treat reports of an Exynos and Snapdragon split as unconfirmed until launch.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: still a strong buy
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 launched in October 2023 on TSMC’s 4 nm process. It uses a 1+5+2 layout: one Cortex-X4 prime core at 3.3 GHz, five Cortex-A720 cores and two Cortex-A520 efficiency cores.
It powered the Galaxy S24 Ultra, OnePlus 12 and Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6. Two years on, it’s still faster than any midrange chip in day-to-day use. Discounted 8 Gen 3 phones are some of the best value buys you’ll find, as long as the software support window still has years left.
The 8s chips: flagship-lite
The “s” versions take flagship features and trim the CPU and GPU to hit lower prices.
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (March 2024) used one Cortex-X4 core at 3.0 GHz, four A720 cores and three A520 cores. It appeared in the Poco F6 and Motorola Edge 50 Ultra.
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (April 2025) dropped efficiency cores entirely. It uses one Cortex-X4 at 3.21 GHz and seven A720 cores at varying clocks, with an Adreno 825 GPU. The Nothing Phone (3) and Poco F7 use it.
The 8s chips keep most of the flagship camera and AI features. What you lose is peak gaming performance and some sustained speed under load.
Flagship chip comparison
| Chip | Process | CPU layout | Top CPU clock | GPU | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Elite Gen 5 | 3 nm | 2 prime + 6 performance (Oryon) | 4.6 GHz | Adreno | Sep 2025 |
| 8 Elite | TSMC 3 nm | 2 prime + 6 performance (Oryon) | 4.32 GHz | Adreno 830 | Oct 2024 |
| 8s Gen 4 | TSMC 4 nm | 1 X4 + 7 A720 | 3.21 GHz | Adreno 825 | Apr 2025 |
| 8 Gen 3 | TSMC 4 nm | 1 X4 + 5 A720 + 2 A520 | 3.3 GHz | Adreno 750 | Oct 2023 |
| 8s Gen 3 | TSMC 4 nm | 1 X4 + 4 A720 + 3 A520 | 3.0 GHz | Adreno 735 | Mar 2024 |
Snapdragon 7 series: the sweet spot
The 7 series is where you’ll find many of the best value phones. It sits between the flagship and the true midrange, and the three variants differ more than the names suggest.
Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3
The 7+ Gen 3 (March 2024) is the strongest of the current 7-series chips. It borrows a Cortex-X4 prime core at 2.8 GHz, adds four A720 cores and three A520 cores, and runs on TSMC 4 nm.
In practice, it behaves like a slightly detuned 8s Gen 3. The OnePlus Nord 4 and the global Realme GT 6 used it. If you play demanding games but don’t want to pay flagship prices, phones with this chip are worth tracking.
Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 and 7 Gen 3
The 7 Gen 3 (November 2023) used older Cortex-A715 and A510 cores in a 1+3+4 layout. It appeared in phones like the Honor 200 and Motorola Edge 50 Pro.
The 7 Gen 4 (May 2025) updates that to one A720 prime core at 2.8 GHz, four A720 cores and three A520 cores. The Honor 400 was one of the first phones to use it. Qualcomm also added more on-device AI capability, including support for running small generative AI models locally.
Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
The 7s Gen 3 (August 2024) is the budget end of the 7 series. It uses one A720 core at 2.5 GHz, three A720 cores and four A520 cores. It’s in the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ and similar phones.
It’s a solid everyday chip. Just don’t confuse it with the 7+ Gen 3, which is a noticeably faster part.
Snapdragon 6 series: everyday midrange
The 6 series powers phones that need to feel smooth for messaging, social media, maps and streaming without costing much. Gaming works, but you’ll lower graphics settings in heavier titles.
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 uses four Cortex-A78 cores at 2.4 GHz and four A55 cores, on a 4 nm process. That’s an older core design, but it’s efficient and capable. Samsung’s Galaxy A36 is one of the best-known phones using it.
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 (February 2025) is the bigger upgrade. It moves to newer A720 and A520 cores in a 1+3+4 layout, with the prime core at 2.3 GHz, and it’s built on TSMC 4 nm. Qualcomm pitched it as bringing some 7-series features, including better gaming and on-device AI, down to cheaper phones.
Snapdragon 4 series: budget 5G
The 4 series exists to make 5G phones cheap. Performance is basic, but it’s enough for calls, WhatsApp, YouTube and light apps.
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (June 2023) uses two A78 cores at 2.2 GHz and six A55 cores, on Samsung’s 4 nm process. It was the first 4 nm chip in the 4 series. The Redmi 12 5G used it.
The Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 (2024) is cheaper still, with slower clocks. It debuted in the Redmi A4 5G in India, which helped push 5G phones well below the old price floor there.
Midrange and budget chip comparison
| Chip | Process | CPU layout | Top CPU clock | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7+ Gen 3 | TSMC 4 nm | 1 X4 + 4 A720 + 3 A520 | 2.8 GHz | Mar 2024 |
| 7 Gen 4 | 4 nm | 1 A720 + 4 A720 + 3 A520 | 2.8 GHz | May 2025 |
| 7 Gen 3 | 4 nm | 1 A715 + 3 A715 + 4 A510 | 2.63 GHz | Nov 2023 |
| 7s Gen 3 | 4 nm | 1 A720 + 3 A720 + 4 A520 | 2.5 GHz | Aug 2024 |
| 6 Gen 4 | TSMC 4 nm | 1 A720 + 3 A720 + 4 A520 | 2.3 GHz | Feb 2025 |
| 6 Gen 3 | 4 nm | 4 A78 + 4 A55 | 2.4 GHz | 2024 |
| 4 Gen 2 | Samsung 4 nm | 2 A78 + 6 A55 | 2.2 GHz | Jun 2023 |
| 4s Gen 2 | 4 nm | 2 A78 + 6 A55 | 2.0 GHz | 2024 |
Snapdragon in laptops: X Elite, X Plus and X
Qualcomm’s PC chips carry an X prefix. They brought Oryon CPU cores to market first, and they’re the reason Snapdragon now shows up in searches next to Intel and AMD.
The first wave launched in June 2024 alongside Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC program. Copilot+ requires an NPU rated at 40 TOPS or more, and every Snapdragon X chip clears it with a 45 TOPS Hexagon NPU. Microsoft’s Surface Laptop 7 and Surface Pro 11 were flagship launch devices, with Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, Acer and Samsung following.
| Chip | CPU cores | Top clock | NPU | Typical laptop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snapdragon X Elite (X1E-84-100) | 12 Oryon | Up to 4.2 GHz dual-core boost | 45 TOPS | Premium thin-and-light |
| Snapdragon X Plus (X1P-64-100) | 10 Oryon | 3.4 GHz | 45 TOPS | Mainstream |
| Snapdragon X (X1-26-100) | 8 Oryon | 3.0 GHz | 45 TOPS | Budget, around $600 |
Snapdragon laptops earned strong reviews for battery life and for running cool and quiet. Many reviewers reported all-day use on a single charge from thin machines that would have struggled to manage that on older Intel chips.
The catch is software. Windows on Arm runs native Arm apps at full speed and uses Microsoft’s Prism emulator for older x86 apps. Emulation has improved a lot, but some games with anti-cheat systems, certain printer and scanner drivers, and niche professional tools still don’t work or run poorly.
Qualcomm announced the second generation, Snapdragon X2 Elite, in September 2025. The top X2 Elite Extreme model has 18 cores, boosts up to 5.0 GHz and carries an 80 TOPS NPU. Qualcomm said laptops would arrive in the first half of 2026.
What a higher tier actually gets you
Spec sheets focus on CPU speed, but the gap between tiers shows up in less obvious places. Here’s where your money goes when you step up.
Sustained performance. Flagship chips are built on the newest processes and run more efficiently at high loads. A 7-series phone can feel just as quick opening apps, but it will drop frames sooner in a long gaming session.
Camera processing. Higher-tier ISPs handle more frames per second, better HDR video, faster night mode and more simultaneous cameras. This is often why two phones with similar sensors produce different results. A phone’s megapixel count matters far less than the processing pipeline behind it.
AI features. On-device generative AI, live call translation and advanced photo editing need a strong NPU. Many of these features ship first, or only, on 8-series phones. Visual search tools like Google Lens work on almost any phone because much of the heavy lifting happens in the cloud.
Modem and wireless. Flagship chips get the newest modems first, with better 5G carrier aggregation, faster uploads and more efficient connections in weak signal areas. Wi-Fi 7 arrived on the 8 series before it trickled down.
Audio. Snapdragon Sound, Qualcomm’s bundle of Bluetooth audio features including aptX Lossless, needs support from both the phone chip and the earbuds. It’s a real benefit if you own compatible Android earbuds. Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 don’t support aptX, so they won’t gain anything from it on a Snapdragon phone.
Software support. Qualcomm controls the drivers that phone makers need to update Android. Its eight-year commitment applies to the 8 Elite and newer. Support for midrange chips is shorter and depends more on the brand.
Why two phones with the same chip feel different
The chip sets the ceiling. The phone maker decides how close you get to it.
Cooling. Gaming phones like the Asus ROG Phone use large vapour chambers and sometimes fans. A thin foldable using the same 8 Elite has far less room to shed heat, so it throttles sooner.
Tuning. Brands choose how aggressively the chip boosts. Some favor benchmark scores. Others hold back clocks to save battery and keep the phone cool.
RAM and storage. A chip paired with 12 GB of fast LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage will feel quicker than the same chip with 8 GB and slower UFS 3.1.
Software. Bloated skins, poorly optimised animations and aggressive background app killing all change how a phone feels. Samsung’s One UI, Xiaomi’s HyperOS and stock-like Android builds behave differently on identical hardware.
Battery size. Efficiency gains mean little if one phone has a 4,000 mAh battery and another has 6,000 mAh. Many Chinese brands now ship silicon-carbon batteries with much higher capacity than Samsung or Google use.
This is why reviews matter more than chip names alone when you’re trying to choose a phone.
How Snapdragon compares to rival chips
Snapdragon isn’t the only option, even on Android. Here’s how it stacks up against the other major chip families.
| Chip family | Maker | Found in | Strength | Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snapdragon | Qualcomm | Most Android flagships, many midrange phones, Windows laptops | Strong all-round performance, modems, wide support | Flagships are expensive for phone makers |
| A-series and M-series | Apple | iPhone, iPad, Mac | Class-leading single-core speed and efficiency | Only in Apple devices |
| Dimensity | MediaTek | Many midrange and some flagship Android phones | Excellent value, competitive flagships | Weaker developer and emulation support historically |
| Exynos | Samsung | Some Galaxy phones, including the Z Flip 7 | Lets Samsung control costs | History of heat and efficiency complaints |
| Tensor | Pixel phones | Tuned for Google’s AI and camera features | Trails rivals in raw speed and efficiency |
Apple’s A-series chips still lead in single-core performance, though Oryon closed much of the gap. MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400 and 9500 compete directly with Snapdragon flagships and often appear in cheaper phones. In the midrange, Dimensity chips frequently beat Snapdragon on price-to-performance.
Snapdragon’s lasting advantages are its modems, its broad support from game developers and app makers, and its consistency. If a game is optimised for Android, it’s almost always optimised for Adreno GPUs first.
The benefits of Snapdragon, and the downsides
Where Snapdragon wins
- Integrated modems. Qualcomm is the dominant name in mobile modems. Its integrated 5G radios are efficient and well tested with carriers worldwide.
- Game optimisation. Developers target Adreno GPUs heavily. Features like Snapdragon Elite Gaming bring frame rate boosts and hardware ray tracing to supported titles.
- Consistency across brands. The same chip behaves predictably across many phones, which makes buying easier.
- Long support on new flagships. Eight years of potential updates on the 8 Elite and newer is a big change from Qualcomm’s past.
- Efficient laptops. Snapdragon X laptops give you excellent battery life in thin designs.
Where it falls short
- Price. Flagship Snapdragon chips are expensive. That cost gets passed to you, and it’s one reason Samsung keeps Exynos alive.
- Heat on some generations. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, built by Samsung Foundry, ran hot and throttled badly. The 8+ Gen 1 moved to TSMC and fixed much of it. History shows the foundry matters as much as the design.
- Confusing names. The 7, 7+ and 7s spread makes it easy to overpay for a weaker chip.
- Windows compatibility. Snapdragon laptops still can’t run every x86 app or game well.
- Shorter support below the flagship tier. Midrange phones rarely get the same update promises.
How to pick the right tier for you
Match the tier to how you actually use your phone, not to what sounds impressive.
Choose an 8 Elite or 8 Elite Gen 5 phone if you play demanding games, shoot a lot of video, want the newest AI features or plan to keep your phone for five years or more.
Choose an 8 Gen 3 or 8s phone if you want near-flagship speed at a lower price. Last year’s flagship at a discount is often the smartest buy.
Choose a 7+ or 7 Gen 4 phone if you game casually, want great everyday speed and care about value.
Choose a 6-series phone if you mostly message, browse, stream and use maps. Battery life is usually excellent.
Choose a 4-series phone if price is the main factor and you want 5G on a tight budget. Expect slower app loading and a weaker camera.
Buying tip
Check the full chip name, including any + or s, and the brand’s update promise before you buy. A two-year-old flagship chip with five years of updates left often beats a new midrange chip.
How to check which Snapdragon your phone has
You don’t need to install anything. Most Android phones list the chip in Settings > About phone. Look for a line called Processor, Chipset or CPU. Some brands, including Samsung, hide it, showing only the model number.
If your phone only shows a model number, search that number with “specifications” and check the manufacturer’s official spec page. Qualcomm also lists every Snapdragon chip and its key specs on its own website.
Keep in mind that some phones ship with different chips in different regions. Older Galaxy S models are the classic example, so match the exact model code rather than the marketing name.
A short history of Snapdragon
The first Snapdragon chip appeared in 2007 and shipped in phones from 2008, when smartphones were still replacing the personal digital assistant as the gadget in your pocket. The HTC-built T-Mobile G1, the first Android phone, used a Qualcomm chip.
Qualcomm’s big break came with 4G LTE. Its integrated modems made Snapdragon the default choice for flagship Android phones through the 2010s. The Snapdragon 800, 820 and 835 became household names among phone fans, and the three-digit naming lasted until the Snapdragon 888 in 2021.
The Gen naming arrived with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in late 2021. Elite branding followed in 2024, first on laptops and then on phones. Each rename marked a strategic shift, from Arm-based designs toward Qualcomm’s own Oryon cores.
FAQ
Is Snapdragon better than Intel?
It depends on what you need. For thin-and-light laptops, Snapdragon X chips give you better battery life and run cooler than most Intel laptops from 2023 and earlier. Intel’s Core Ultra 200V (Lunar Lake) chips closed much of that gap and run every Windows app natively. Choose Snapdragon for battery and portability. Choose Intel or AMD if you game on PC or rely on older x86 software.
Is a Snapdragon a good processor?
Yes. Snapdragon chips power most top Android phones and they’re consistently among the fastest and most efficient options available. The answer depends on the tier, though. An 8 Elite is excellent. A 4-series chip is fine for basic use but feels slow with heavy apps and games.
What are the downsides of Snapdragon processors?
The main downsides are cost, confusing naming and uneven history on heat. Flagship Snapdragon chips push up phone prices. Some generations, especially the 8 Gen 1, ran hot. On laptops, Windows on Arm still struggles with some games, anti-cheat software and older drivers.
Why did Google stop using Snapdragon?
Google switched to its own Tensor chip with the Pixel 6 in 2021. It wanted more control over AI and machine learning, camera processing and long-term software support. Tensor lets Google build Pixel features around its own hardware rather than waiting on Qualcomm’s roadmap. Early Tensor chips were built by Samsung. The Tensor G5 in the Pixel 10 moved to TSMC.
What is the difference between a Snapdragon processor and a Snapdragon CPU?
A Snapdragon processor usually means the whole system-on-chip, including the GPU, NPU, ISP and modem. The Snapdragon CPU is only the cluster of cores that runs apps and the operating system. Current flagships use Qualcomm’s custom Oryon CPU, while midrange and budget chips use Arm Cortex cores.
Is a newer midrange Snapdragon faster than an older flagship?
Sometimes, but not usually. A Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 beats an older 8 Gen 1 in many tasks because the 8 Gen 1 throttled heavily. In most cases, a flagship from one or two years ago still outperforms a brand-new midrange chip, especially in gaming and camera processing.