Best Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Phones To Buy in 2023

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Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855 Mobile Platforms show improvement in almost all aspects over the last-generation Snapdragon 845. The Snapdragon 855 brings in enhancements like the new ARM cores, a shift to a more power-efficient process node as well as an image signal processor, a dedicated AI engine, latest connectivity options – and it was obviously a defacto choice for Android flagships last year. The likes of Samsung, LG, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo have all announced Snapdragon 855 phones and a few are still sticking to the chipset in 2023 (हिंदी में पढ़िए).

Before we put together the list of the best Snapdragon 855 phones that launched in India. Let’s put together all the key highlights of Qualcomm’s yesteryear star chipset. The smartphones in this list are subject to availability depending on your location.

Note: We have covered Snapdragon 855+ phones in a separate article. You might check those out as well.

What’s special about Snapdragon 855?

  • The chipset has a tri-cluster configuration and the Kryo 845 Gold Prime core is clocked as high as 2.84GHz. Qualcomm claims 45% performance enhancement over SD 845
  • The new Adreno 640 GPU is 20% faster than Adreno 630 on Snapdragon 845 and supports true HDR gaming and games built around Physically Based Rendering (PBR).
  • Snapdragon 855 gets a dedicated AI engine and you can expect up to 3x performance gains in AI and complex computations
  • Snapdragon 855 also has a new Voice Assistant module that will improve the processing of AI Assistants.
  • The new Spectra 380 ISP enables features like portrait mode in videos, HDR in portrait modes, and more.
  • Snapdragon 855 will be the first mobile platform to support 5G (using Snapdragon X50 modem), Wi-Fi 6 11ax, and 60GHz Wi-Fi 11ay. The SD 855 supports all of these technologies using external chips, and thus phones without these features will also be available simultaneously.

Also Read: Best Snapdragon 865 phones in 2022

Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Specifications

Mobile PlatformSnapdragon 855
Processor Cores2.84GHz Kryo 485 Gold Core (Cortex A76- based), 512KB L2 Cache

2.4GHz 3x Kryo 485 Gold cores (Cortex A76-based), 256KB L2 Cache each; 1.8GHz 4x Kryo Silver Cores (Cortex A55-based), 128KB L2 Cache each; 2MB L3 Cache

Process7nm
GPUAdreno 640
RAM
    4x 16-bit CH @ 2133MHzLPDDR4x3MB system cache
ModemSnapdragon X24 LTE
ISP
    Dual 14-bit Spectra 380; Supports up to one 48MP sensor;Supports up to two 22MP sensors
DSP Hexagon 690 with integrated tensor accelerator unit (or NPU)
    Voice assistant AI Module
Encode/ Decode 2160p60 10-bit H.265
    HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
    720p480

Best Snapdragon 855 Phones To Buy This Year

Here are the best available snapdragon 855 phones to consider in 2023:

1. Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite

Samsung launched the Galaxy S10 Lite (review) in India in early 2020. Surprisingly, it employs Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855 chipset. Yes, for the first time, a Samsung device is shipping with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800-series chipset in India.

The South Korean conglomerate is offering the S10 Lite with 8GB RAM and 128GB of internal storage. The phone has a punch-hole screen which Samsung prefers to address as an infinity-O-O – O display. Apart from packing a really impressive display, the S10 Lite includes triple rear cameras with new Super Steady OIS technology, a 32MP selfie camera 4500mAH battery, expandable storage, and a 25W fast charger.

2. OnePlus 7 Pro and OnePlus 7

OnePlus 7 Pro (reviews) made headlines for its hardware powerhouse, which is engined by the Snapdragon 855 chipset. This is backed by up to 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 3.0 storage. A 4000mAh battery keeps the phone alive.

Upfront, it flaunts a 90Hz Fluid AMOLED QHD+ screen. The camera triplets at the rear include a 48MP+ 8MP 3X telephoto Zoom (F/2.4 aperture)+ 16MP 117-degree Ultra-Wide angle lens (F/2.2 aperture).

The same Snapdragon 855 and UFS 3.0 storage are also available for OnePlus 7, which costs significantly lesser.

3. Asus 6Z (Zenfone 6)

The Asus 6Z (review) is another competitively priced Snapdragon 855-phone that also brandishes a slick flip camera. The flip module on Asus 6Z allows you to shoot selfies using the 48-Megapixel Sony IMX586 sensor, or the 13-megapixel wide-angle shooter.

The battery is rated at 5000mAh and there’s fast charging too. Other highlights include stereo speakers, UFS 2.1 storage, and the revamped Zen UI software.

4. Redmi K20 Pro

The Redmi K20 Pro (review) is yet another popular, affordable flagship that’s loaded with the best mobile hardware including the Snapdragon 855. This is teamed up with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The MIUI software and Adreno 640 GPU fortifies a dependable performance.

Redmi K20 Pro, Redmi K20 to launch on July 17 in India

Upfront, the phone has a full HD+ AMOLED display that’s 6.39-inch diagonally rendering a 19:5:9 aspect ratio. The front camera resides in a motorized pop-up module. It houses a 20MP sensor. The rear is home to a 48MP primary shooter which is in vogue these days. It is roomed with 13MP and 8MP cameras. Like many other Xiaomi phones of 2019, this one also ships with a 4000mAh battery and supports fast charging.

5. Oppo Reno 10x Hybrid Optical Zoom

Reno is one of the most anticipated series of phones from Oppo. Apart from the Snapdragon 855 SoC, it has a lot going for it like the 10x Hybrid Optical Zoom feature, which is part of its triple camera setup. The primary sensor goes for a 48MP resolution. The side-lifting Sharkfin slider (for a selfie camera) makes the design unique. And weird.

Oppo Reno 10X Zoom packs a 4065mAh battery with VOOC 3.0 fast charging support. The top model flaunts 8GB LPDDR4X RAM variant with 256GB (UFS 2.1) storage.

6. Samsung Galaxy Fold

Alongside the S10 series, Samsung also showcased its futuristic Galaxy Fold. As the name implies, it’s a foldable smartphone featuring a 7.3-inch screen that folds to easily fit in the pocket.

Microsoft Surface Duo vs Samsung Galaxy Fold vs Huawei Mate X

The Samsung Galaxy Fold featuring Snapdragon 855 chipset will go on sale in the US next month (i.e April 2019). The phone will come with 12GB RAM and 512GB of storage. Samsung has packed its first foldable phone with a triple-lens 16MP+12MP+12MP rear camera.

ALSO READ: 10 Best Foldable Phones To Look Out For In 2019

Samsung claims to have optimized its One UI for Galaxy Fold’s screen and the handset can run up to three apps side by side. DJ Koh, president, and CEO of the IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung recently confirmed the Galaxy Fold India lunch without revealing the timeline. Most probably, the Indian variant of Galaxy Fold will be powered by Exynos 9820 chipset.

7. Black Shark 2

The Black Shark 2 (review) is a gaming flagship from the Xiaomi-backed company. It comes with an Octa-core Snapdragon 855 SoC along with Adreno 640 GPU and 12GB of RAM. If you think that’s overkill, the Black Shark 2 is also available in 8GB RAM + 256GB storage or 6/8GB RAM with 128GB storage.

Xiaomi Black Shark 2

The phone packs truckloads of game-centric features. As for the software, the Black shark runs on Android 9.0 Pie. It is fueled by a huge 4,000mAh battery that supports 27W fast charging.

8. Nubia Red Magic 3

The Red Magic 3 is sort of a comeback phone for the company in the Indian market. This gaming-centric phone is one of the cheapest Snapdragon 855 phones today.

Apart from powerful innards, the RedMagic 3 high points are 90hz refresh rate display, touch-sensitive shoulder triggers, dual front speakers, and an active cooling system.

9. LG V50 ThinQ

LG V50 ThinQ is another Qualcomm Snapdragon 855-based smartphone that debuted this year at MWC 2019. The South Korean smartphone maker’s 2019 flagship is also 5G ready.

Apart from the chipset, the LG V-series flagship hasn’t really changed much compared to its predecessor. The phone comes with a 6.4-inch 2k+ P-OLED display. LG is offering it with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. It runs on Android 9.0 Pie.

10. Lenovo Z6 Pro

Lenovo Z6 Pro inherits the Snapdragon 855 processor from the Z5 Pro GT which was the first phone to be announced with this chipset. The top model of Z6 Pro excesses with 12GB RAM and 512GB storage. The brand has also announced a 5G variant of this phone.

Best Snapadragon 855 phones

The rear camera convention comprises a 48MP primary camera along with a 16MP wide-angle camera, an 8MP telephoto camera, and finally a 2MP TOF camera.  Other highlights include an optical in-display fingerprint sensor, IR-based face unlock, HDR 10 display, DC dimming, Android Pie-based software, and a massive 4000mAh battery that supports a 27W fast charger.

11. LG G8 ThinQ

LG G8 ThinQ is another interesting Snapdragon 855-powered phone that comes with up to 6GB of RAM and 128GB of inbuilt storage, expandable via microSD card (up to 2TB). The phone features innovative techs like Hand ID and Air Motion Gestures that allow you to interact with it without touching it.

Upfront, the display is a 6.1-inch QHD+ (1440×3120 pixels) OLED FullVision display with a 19.5:9 aspect ratio. The screen doubles as a stereo speaker using Crystal Sound OLED tech along with BoomBox Speaker at the bottom. In the camera department, it sports a 12 MP + 16 MP + 12 MP Triple Camera with autofocus. The LG G8 ThinQ runs on Android Pie with the LG skin and is fueled by a 3,500mAh battery, and supports Quick Charge 3.0 technology.

12. Sony Xperia X1

Sony’s mobile division hasn’t had the best of times in recent years. It is nowhere near its past glory. With hopes of reinventing itself, Sony announced the new Xperia X1 at MWC 2019.

The new Sony flagship phone introduces in design language and at the center of it is a massive 21:9 6.57-inch display. It is powered by Qualcomm’s later workhorse – Snapdragon 855, coupled with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. Sony has also added a tri-camera setup at the rear and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.

13. Xiaomi Mi 9

Xiaomi had a fantastic 2018 and it has already introduced its 2019 flagship – the Mi 9. Like every other phone in this list, the Mi 9 rocks a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset and Adreno 640 GPU.

The Mi 9 also comes with a waterdrop notch AMOLED screen that features a 5th-generation in-display fingerprint sensor. A gradient holographic effect can be seen on the Mi 9 rear panel. There is a triple camera setup including a 48MP sensor on the back. Though Xiaomi announced the Mi 9 globally, the phone is yet to reach the Indian shore.

14. Vivo iQOO

This is yet another gaming flagship in the list powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 octa-core phones. The weirdly named iQOO employs 12GB RAM and 256GB of internal storage. and is fueled by a mammoth 4000mAh battery.

Vivo iQOO

It boasts of numerous gaming-centric features such as a vapor cooling system for heat dissipation. Like most high-end phones this year, the iQOO flaunts a triple rear camera setup with a Sony IMX363 sensor.

15. Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G

At MWC 2019, Xiaomi launched a 5G variant of their existing Mi Mix 3. The phone is powered by Snapdragon 855 SoC along with Qualcomm’s X50 modem. Though, Xiaomi is yet to reveal the RAM and storage details of the Mi Mix 3 5G variant.

As for optics, the Mi Mix 5G boasts a 12MP AI dual camera setup similar to the Mi MIX 3 (standard). Xiaomi also offers several AI-based cameras features and 960 fps slow-motion video capabilities, among other things.

ALSO READ: Best 5G Mobile Phones To Buy In 2021

16. Vivo Apex 2019

Vivo’s new Apex has a button-less and port-less (well, almost) design and is powered by a Snapdragon 855 octa-core chipset paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. On Vivo Apex 2019, volume and power buttons are pressure-sensitive, and the magnetic port on the rear can be used for battery charging and data transfer.

This piece of cutting-edge technology also has an AMOLED screen, a full-screen fingerprint reader, and 5G support.

Best Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Phones To Buy in 2023

The Snapdragon 855 is sure to find its way to top-tier phones. The only other competition for Android phones is Kirin 980 and Samsung’s Exynos 9820, which are both restricted to Huawei and Samsung phones, respectively. So, we are naturally going to see Snapdragon 855 on the next-generation LG, Oppo, Vivo, and Nokia flagships.

ALSO READ: Best Snapdragon 855 Plus Phones To Buy In 2022

Best Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Phone list
PhonesRating
Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite9.2
OnePlus 7/ OnePlus 7 Pro9.2
Asus 6Z9.1
Redmi K20 Pro9.0
Oppo Reno 10X Hybrid8.8
Galaxy Fold9.4
Black Shark 28.7
Nubia Red Magic 38.7
LG V50 ThinQ9.0
Lenovo Z6 Pro9.0
LG G8 ThinQ8.7
Sony Xperia X18.6
Xiaomi Mi 98.3
Vivo iQOO8.3
Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G8.3
Vivo Apex 20198.9
Deepak RajawatDeepak Rajawat
Experienced technology journalist with over 7-years of experience. Before embracing online journalism, he has worked with several legacy publications including print editions at Hindustan Times and The Statesman. He also has a keen interest in Sports, which he used to cover with equal enthusiasm in his early career.

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11 Comments
User
Grant G
Anonymous
2 years ago

I’ve been through a few phones lately an LG G8x which was great and tough very tough I dropped it and the case that I paid $10 off eBay was great it bounced back like a basketball.New Year’s Eve lost it spewing.I just picked up a Lenovo Z5 Pro GT cheap in mint condition and the G8x same 855 but this Z5Pro GT is very very quick and that can’t be because of 8g of ram can it.2 more than G8x LG more durable Z5 faster.personally I’d love to fuse both together perfect but in the real world where stuff happens if I have to choose the Z5 is awesome I just wish It.Plus displays would go away as 2K should be standard minimum on a flagship phone.And both these great phones missed the list too.

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User
ss
Anonymous
3 years ago

Where is LG G8X ThinQ?? How can a flagship phone be neglected??

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User
HUIBKUJ
Anonymous
2 years ago

lg is DEAD

User
Vivek
Anonymous
3 years ago

What about REALME X3 PRO 🔥

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User
mohammed
Anonymous
3 years ago

nice one

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User
Mohanraj
Anonymous
4 years ago

Realme X Pro

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User
saurabh shirke
Anonymous
4 years ago

What about Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro??

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User
Shah
Anonymous
4 years ago

Lenovo Z5 Pro GT mobile supports 100 mp camera, but soc 855 supports only 48 mp.?

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Manoj Seenivasan
Anonymous
4 years ago

Tqn

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