The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 showcases significant performance improvements in CPU and GPU benchmarks compared to its predecessor, though these results are from a Qualcomm reference device and may differ in retail models.
Benchmarks for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, tested on a Qualcomm reference device, reveal substantial performance gains. The CPU shows a 16% single-core and 18% multi-core increase over the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the Galaxy S25 Ultra, while GPU performance saw a 16% best-run and 19% lowest-loop score improvement. While these numbers suggest a powerful new chip, users should temper expectations for retail devices, which may not achieve identical results.
Benchmark Context
• 00:00:06 The presented benchmark numbers for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 were obtained from a Qualcomm reference device, which is specifically designed for running benchmarks. It is crucial to remember that these results might not perfectly reflect the performance of retail models from manufacturers like Samsung or OnePlus, suggesting that consumer devices may exhibit slightly lower scores.
CPU Performance Gains
• 00:00:39 Geekbench 6 CPU scores for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 demonstrate significant improvements. Single-core performance increased by 16% and multi-core performance by 18% when compared to the Snapdragon 8 Elite found in the previous year's Galaxy S25 Ultra. These gains indicate a substantially more powerful CPU for the upcoming generation of phones.
GPU Performance Gains
• 00:01:13 GPU performance was assessed using 20 runs of the 3DMark Wildlife Stress Test. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 achieved a 16% increase over the Galaxy S25 Ultra's GPU in its best run, and even the lowest loop score showed a 19% improvement. This signifies dramatically better GPU performance on the new chip compared to its predecessor.
Retail Expectations
• 00:01:47 Despite the impressive benchmark results from the reference device, consumers should moderate their expectations for retail models. While the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 appears to be exceptionally powerful, actual performance on commercially available phones may vary, though it is still anticipated to be a top-tier chip.