The year 2025 has given us two power-packed chipsets — Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and MediaTek Dimensity 9500. Both are built on TSMC’s advanced 3nm process and promise massive gains in performance, gaming, and AI. But which one really leads the Android flagship race?

Performance and Benchmarks

On Geekbench 6, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 delivers stronger results with around 15% higher single-core and 12% better multi-core performance than Dimensity 9500. This means smoother multitasking, faster app launches, and better overall responsiveness.

In AnTuTu tests, both cross the impressive 4 million mark, but Snapdragon again takes a slight edge with a total score of 4.16 million versus Dimensity’s 4.01 million. The MediaTek chip, however, offers slightly better GPU performance — making it a strong choice for heavy gaming.

Architecture and Features

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 uses Qualcomm’s new Oryon CPU cores paired with the Adreno 840 GPU, supporting advanced ray tracing and Snapdragon Elite Gaming features. The Dimensity 9500, on the other hand, comes with its Mali-G1 Ultra GPU and MediaTek’s HyperEngine tech, optimized for power-efficient gaming and visuals.

Camera and AI

Both chips support up to 320MP cameras and 8K video recording, but Snapdragon’s upgraded 20-bit ISP brings improved dynamic range and near-lossless video quality. MediaTek’s Imagiq 1190 ISP focuses on AI-driven enhancements like denoising and real-time object tracking.

Verdict

Both chipsets are incredibly capable, but Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 holds a slight overall lead in CPU power, AI, and connectivity — ideal for flagship all-rounders. Meanwhile, the Dimensity 9500 shines in GPU performance and efficiency, making it a great choice for gamers.

In short, Snapdragon wins on raw power, while Dimensity strikes back with smarter efficiency and gaming edge — making 2025 an exciting year for smartphone enthusiasts.

Happy Questing 

@Hasratsingh

@iQOO Connect