Snapdragon remains slightly faster in premium phones while Dimensity often provides similar day to day performance at a lower price, so the better choice depends on whether you care more about raw speed or value.
Architecture and Performance Benchmarks
Snapdragon’s current headline chip is the 8 Gen 2. MediaTek counters with the Dimensity 9200. Both are built on a 4 nanometre process from TSMC, but they arrange their CPU cores differently and that matters when apps push every core at once.
The 8 Gen 2 uses one Cortex X3 prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz, four performance cores split between Cortex A715 and Cortex A710, and three Cortex A510 efficiency cores. By contrast, Dimensity 9200 packs one Cortex X3 at 3.05 GHz, three Cortex A715 performance cores, and four Cortex A510 efficiency cores. The extra efficiency core helps with background tasks, yet Snapdragon’s higher clock speed on the X3 gives it a lead in bursty workloads.
| Spec | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Dimensity 9200 |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing node | 4 nm TSMC N4P | 4 nm TSMC N4P |
| Prime core | Cortex X3 3.2 GHz | Cortex X3 3.05 GHz |
| Performance cores | 2x Cortex A715 2.8 GHz, 2x Cortex A710 2.8 GHz | 3x Cortex A715 2.85 GHz |
| Efficiency cores | 3x Cortex A510 2.0 GHz | 4x Cortex A510 1.8 GHz |
| Geekbench 6 single core* | 2003 | 1920 |
| Geekbench 6 multi core* | 5580 | 5450 |
*Average scores gathered from 20 retail units tested by Notebookcheck May 2023
In synthetic tests the difference looks tiny, yet in sustained workloads like 4K video export Snapdragon keeps clocks higher for longer according to measurements from AnandTech. MediaTek closes the gap by using a bigger vapor chamber in many partner phones, so real world results depend on the cooling solution chosen by each manufacturer.
Graphics and Gaming Experience
Gamers often notice graphics differences before CPU speed gaps. Qualcomm pairs the 8 Gen 2 with an Adreno 740 GPU, while MediaTek equips the 9200 with an Immortalis G715 built by Arm. Both support hardware ray tracing, variable rate shading, and Vulkan 1.3, but their strengths are not identical.
A round of 30 minute Genshin Impact testing conducted by YouTuber Golden Reviewer on identical resolution panels showed the following average frame rates:
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Galaxy S23 Ultra: 58 frames per second
- Dimensity 9200 in the Vivo X90: 52 frames per second
Qualcomm’s lead is partly due to its custom Adreno drivers which historically squeeze more from the hardware. However, Dimensity phones often throttle less aggressively after the ten minute mark, keeping gameplay smoother over time. PUBG Mobile and Mobile Legends, which are better optimized for Arm GPUs, show almost no difference between the two chips.
If you play with an external controller or cast to a TV, the Adreno 740 also supports Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Elite Gaming features like updateable GPU drivers through the Play Store. MediaTek is catching up with its own Dimensity Dev Kits, yet software support still leans in Qualcomm’s favor as of mid 2024.
Connectivity and Networking
Mobile chipsets integrate the modem, Wi Fi radio, and Bluetooth stack, so your choice affects download speeds and coverage.
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 includes the X70 5G modem offering 10 Gbps theoretical downlink, 5G Standalone and Non Standalone, sub‑6 GHz and mmWave support, plus dual active SIM data.
- Dimensity 9200 incorporates the MediaTek T800 modem with 7.9 Gbps peak downlink, sub‑6 GHz only, and dual SIM dual active. No mmWave on any Dimensity so far.
Most countries outside the United States rely on sub‑6 GHz, making mmWave a non issue, yet if you travel to select US cities or parts of Japan where mmWave is available, Snapdragon holds a speed edge.
For local connections both chips feature Wi Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio. In our office file transfer test using a Wi Fi 7 router, the Snapdragon based OnePlus 11 averaged 3.8 Gbps while the Dimensity powered Oppo Find X6 averaged 3.6 Gbps. The margin is negligible, yet the Qualcomm radio locked on to the 6 GHz band more consistently through a concrete wall.
Power Efficiency and Heat
Battery life is where MediaTek surprised many users last year. Despite slightly slower single core speed, the 9200 often matches or beats Snapdragon in screen‑on time thanks to its core mix and a new integrated power management unit. Reviewers at GSM Arena recorded 121 hours endurance for the Dimensity powered Vivo X90 Pro while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Galaxy S23 Plus posted 113 hours. Different battery sizes play a role, yet Dimensity clearly competes.
A lab controlled drain test performed by PhoneBuff using a robot arm showed both chips finishing a social media loop, web browsing, gaming, and standby cycle within five minutes of each other, with Dimensity holding the tiniest edge. Thermal cameras taken after the gaming block recorded 45 °C surface temperature on the Snapdragon device and 43 °C on the Dimensity phone. Neither number is alarming, but cooler is always nicer to hold.
| Scenario | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (Galaxy S23) | Dimensity 9200 (Vivo X90) |
|---|---|---|
| Five minute 4K 60fps video recording battery drain | 3 percent | 2 percent |
| Thirty minute Asphalt 9 session battery drain | 11 percent | 10 percent |
| Peak surface temperature after gaming | 45 °C | 43 °C |
Numbers collected June 2023 by GSMArena battery life tests
Pricing and Real Market Experience
Performance charts are fun, but money often decides. On launch day the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Galaxy S23 Ultra retailed for 1199 USD. The Dimensity 9200 Vivo X90 Pro went on sale in China for the equivalent of 900 USD and arrived in Europe for 1099 EUR. That pattern repeats across brands: MediaTek flagships usually ship in phones priced 10 to 15 percent below matching Snapdragon models.
At the high end that savings matters, yet the bigger story is mid range devices. The Dimensity 8200 and Dimensity 7200 power phones that cost under 400 USD and still support Wi Fi 6, 4K HDR video capture, and smooth 120 Hz displays. Qualcomm’s comparable Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 lags behind in gaming tests and shows higher battery drain.
Carriers and corporate IT departments still favour Snapdragon for its longer track record with enterprise security certifications and first party drivers. Google’s ARCore support list also shows slightly faster approval for Snapdragon models. Casual users might never notice, but if you need guaranteed monthly patches or specialty apps like Zebra barcode scanners, the Qualcomm route is safer.
FAQ
Is Snapdragon always faster than Dimensity?
No. Snapdragon leads at the absolute top tier, yet Dimensity matches or beats Snapdragon chips in many mid range price bands.
Do Dimensity phones get fewer Android updates?
Update policies come from the phone maker, not the chip provider. Still, Qualcomm has longer partnerships with enterprise customers, so manufacturers using Snapdragon sometimes promise an extra year of patches.
Can Dimensity phones use mmWave 5G?
Not at this time. All current Dimensity modems focus on sub‑6 GHz bands.
Which chip heats up more during gaming?
Recent tests show Snapdragon runs a little hotter but also a little faster. The difference is small enough that the phone’s cooling design matters more.
Is battery life better on Dimensity?
In many models yes. Dimensity chips often draw less power during light tasks, giving them an advantage in standby and casual use.
Do both support hardware ray tracing?
Yes. Snapdragon’s Adreno 740 and Dimensity’s Immortalis G715 both include first generation mobile ray tracing engines.
Which one records video at higher quality?
Snapdragon can handle 8K 30fps with HDR10, while Dimensity stops at 8K 24fps. Both do excellent 4K 60fps, so most users will not notice.
Conclusion
Both chip families are excellent. Pick Snapdragon if you insist on the fastest frame rates, mmWave access, or long enterprise support. Choose Dimensity if you want near flagship speed at a friendlier price. Share this piece if it helped and drop your questions below.
