When it comes to 2024’s top mobile processors, the Snapdragon 8 Elite and Dimensity 9400 are the clear heavyweights. Both pack 3nm TSMC tech, but they take very distinct approaches to architecture, GPU optimization, and real-world performance. Let’s dive into their performance metrics, explore their gaming capabilities, and highlight their key strengths and weaknesses.
Specifications Comparison
Before we get to the real comparison, let’s quickly compare the specifications of the two.
| Snapdragon 8 Elite | Dimensity 9400 | |
| Node Process | TSMC 3nm | TSMC 3nm |
| CPU | 2 x 4.32 GHz Prime Oryon cores + 6x 3.53 GHz Custom Oryon Phoenix M Performance cores | 1x 3.63 GHz Cortex-X925 + 3x 3.3 GHz Cortex-X4+ 4x 2.4 GHz Cortex-A720 |
| GPU | Adreno 830, 1100 MHz | ARM Immortalis-G925 MP12, 1612 MHz |
| NPU | Qualcomm Hexagon NPU | MediaTek NPU 890 |
| RAM and Storage | LPDDR5X, UFS 4.0/UFS 4.1 | LPDDR5X, UFS 4.0 |
| 5G Modem | Snapdragon X80 (10 Gbps downlink) | 3GPP Release 17 (7.3 Gbps downlink) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6.0 | Bluetooth 6.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
Synthetic Benchmarks
Let’s start with the synthetic benchmarks. These are often not indicative of real-world performance, but since there is a lot of hype around benchmarks, I thought I’d just include this in the comparison. I’ll keep it short.
I ran all the popular benchmarks such as AnTuTu v10, Geekbench 6, 3D Mark Wild Life, and even CPU Throttling tests. This was done in both the standard and the performance modes of each device, to keep it fair.
Speaking of which, the Snapdragon 8 Elite device here is the iQOO 13 while the one with the Dimensity 9400 is the OPPO Find X8 Pro. Now, here are the results:
Standard Mode:
| Benchmark | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Dimensity 9400 |
| AnTuTu v10 | 2,723,687 | 2,304,235 |
| AnTuTu v10 (Storage) | Score: 195,629 Read: 3927 MB/s Write: 3015 MB/s | Score: 257,742 Read: 4217.3 MB/s Write: 3519.7 MB/s |
| Geekbench 6 (CPU) | Single-Core: 2,988 Multi-Core: 9,167 | Single-Core: 2,733 Multi-Core: 8,024 |
| Geekbench 6 (GPU) | OpenCL: 18,212 Vulkan: 24,857 | OpenCL: 20,791 Vulkan: 23,321 |
| 3DMark Wildlife Extreme | Score: 5,854 Avg FPS: 35.06 | Score: 6,308 Avg FPS: 37.77 |
| Wildlife Extreme Stress Test | Best Loop: 5,580 Lowest Loop: 3,345 Stability: 60% | Best Loop: 5,561 Lowest Loop: 3,057 Stability: 55% |
| CPU Throttling Test 50/30 | Throttled to 74% Avg GIPS: 265,689 | Throttled to 79% Avg GIPS: 406,027 |
Performance/Monster Mode:
| Benchmark | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Dimensity 9400 |
| AnTuTu v10 | 2,737,451 | 2,691,623 |
| Geekbench 6 (CPU) | Single-Core: 3,010 Multi-Core: 9,205 | Single-Core: 2,746 Multi-Core: 8,389 |
| Geekbench 6 (GPU) | OpenCL: 18,032 Vulkan: 25,054 | OpenCL: 22,139 Vulkan: 25,368 |
| 3DMark Wildlife Extreme | Score: 6,125 Avg FPS: 36.68 | Score: 6,295 Avg FPS: 37.70 |
| Wildlife Extreme Stress Test | Best Loop: 4,446 Lowest Loop: 3,335 Stability: 75% | Best Loop: 6,354 Lowest Loop: 2,673 Stability: 42.1% |
| CPU Throttling Test 50/30 | Throttled to 72% Avg GIPS: 322,706 | Throttled to 53% Avg GIPS: 417,416 |
As you can probably tell, the Snapdragon 8 Elite scores slightly higher in AnTuTu and other CPU benchmarks. The Dimensity 9400 also isn’t that far behind the 8 Elite. That said, it really excels in the GPU-intensive benchmarks, thanks to the more powerful GPU that it possesses.
Dimensity dominates storage speeds, which is quite strange because the iQOO 13 uses a faster UFS 4.1 storage. That said, we should take these benchmarks with a grain of salt. I did not see any difference in real-world usage like opening apps, switching between heavy games, etc.
Gaming Performance
When it comes to overall gaming performance, the iQOO 13 powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite and the OPPO Find X8 Pro featuring the Dimensity 9400 deliver closely matched results.
Starting with Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), both devices handle the game exceptionally well, achieving high frame rates. I tested both chips at the Smooth + Extreme+ 90 FPS. The Snapdragon 8 Elite recorded an average frame rate of 88.7 FPS, while the Dimensity 9400 achieved a similar 89 FPS.
Both devices maintained similar thermal performance, with no major overheating issues. However, a key difference emerged in power consumption. The Dimensity 9400 drew 2.79W, whereas the Snapdragon 8 Elite demonstrated significantly better efficiency at just 1.4W.
In terms of stability, the Dimensity 9400’s 5% low FPS was 81.2, indicating a smoother experience compared to the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s 68.2 FPS. That said, the Snapdragon 8 Elite achieved a smoothness rating of 98.6%, a bit marginally behind the Dimensity’s perfect 100% (≥45 FPS).
Moving to Genshin Impact, the Snapdragon 8 Elite maintained a slightly higher average (it feels so wrong to say this because the difference so minute) frame rate of 59.9 FPS, compared to the Dimensity 9400’s 58.9 FPS. Thermal performance was nearly identical, with the Snapdragon peaking at around 40°C and the Dimensity at 38.1°C.
Power consumption in this title was also very close, with the Snapdragon drawing 4.18W and the Dimensity drawing 4.03W. In a more graphically dense region of the game (Sumeru), the Snapdragon 8 Elite achieved an even higher average FPS of 60.3. However, the power draw here was higher at 4.53W.
In Honkai: Star Rail, the gaming experience was equally compelling on both chipsets. Both achieved an average frame rate of 59.1 FPS, with minor differences in other metrics. The Dimensity 9400 offered a better 5% low FPS of 51.2, compared to the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s 49.4 FPS.
Power efficiency, this time, leaned in favor of the Dimensity, drawing 3.25W compared to the Snapdragon’s 3.67W. However, the Snapdragon 8 Elite kept temperatures slightly lower at 38.6°C, compared to the Dimensity’s 39°C. The differences are so minor that I’d say both chips perform equally good, but do they?
In Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile, the Snapdragon 8 Elite supports Peak graphics settings, which the Dimensity 9400 currently lacks. Both devices performed well in High graphics settings, with the Snapdragon maintaining stable frame rates and more efficient power usage.
The Dimensity, though slightly less feature-rich in this title, still delivered smooth gameplay. Similarly, in BGMI’s 120 FPS mode, the Snapdragon 8 Elite had native support, giving it a clear advantage, while the Dimensity 9400 is limited to 90 FPS, at least at the time of writing this article.
A deeper analysis of GPU performance shows that the Dimensity 9400’s Immortalis-G925 GPU is technically more powerful than the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s Adreno 830. However, in real-world gaming, the Adreno GPU benefits from better optimization and efficiency in certain games.
When optimized, it provides better performance by unlocking extra settings such as 120 FPS support in BGMI and higher graphics settings in other titles. However, this optimization gap becomes evident in less popular games where the Dimensity 9400 performs equally great.
ALSO READ: OPPO Find X8 Pro Review: Style, Performance, and Cameras In One Package?
So, who takes the crown?
Believe it or not, it’s hard to declare one of these chips as the winner but since the 8 Elite has a more powerful CPU, better optimization, and better efficiency (in most cases), it may take the crown. Nonetheless, both SoCs are capable of delivering an excellent gaming experience, with real-world differences being marginal in most cases.
And when it comes to emulation, Snapdragon 8 Elite wins hands down. If you’re into playing PC games on your smartphone, this chipset is built for the job. Its Oryon cores and GPU optimization (mostly the latter) make it the best choice for such tasks.
Dimensity 9400, on the other hand, isn’t really for emulation. But if you’re an average user playing mobile games, the Dimensity 9400 is more than sufficient. It offers excellent performance, smooth gameplay, and is also very efficient, in isolation, that is.
One factor to consider is pricing. Surprisingly, Dimensity 9400 devices like the OPPO Find X8 are generally better value than Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered devices such as the iQOO 13 and also the upcoming OnePlus 13. Snapdragon devices, this year, are either more expensive or have some compromises like in the camera department.
ALSO READ: realme GT 7 Pro Performance Test: Does Snapdragon 8 Elite Shine?
If you’re looking for a balanced package with solid performance and better overall value, Dimensity 9400-powered devices might be the safer bet. This is not to say that the Snapdragon 8 Elite devices like the iQOO 13 are not value for money—they are good in their own right.
Again, in terms of raw power, the Snapdragon 8 Elite remains unmatched. With superior developer support and community preference, it possibly means better long-term compatibility and optimization across various applications.
Its performance even edges out the Apple A18 Pro in certain benchmarks, which has been the opposite for, I don’t know how many years. However, the Dimensity 9400 is no slouch—it delivers nearly equal performance in real-world scenarios and offers smooth gameplay without noticeable compromises.
ALSO READ: iQOO 13 vs. Oppo Find X8: How Do The Latest Android Flagships Compare?
Snapdragon 8 Elite vs. Dimensity 9400: Phones
The cheapest Snapdragon 8 Elite device available in India is the iQOO 13 (review), priced at ₹54,999, while the Dimensity 9400-powered OPPO Find X8 (review) starts at ₹69,999. If you’re willing to spend more, upcoming flagships like the OnePlus 13, vivo X200 series, Samsung Galaxy S25 series, and Xiaomi 15 series could also be considered.
Ultimately, the choice boils down to your specific needs (no, but really). If you want top-tier power and emulation capabilities, the Snapdragon 8 Elite is the clear winner. But if you are not into emulation and want solid real-world performance at a more affordable price, the Dimensity 9400 makes a compelling case.
You can follow Smartprix on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Google News. Visit smartprix.com for the latest tech and auto news, reviews, and guides.
