The best Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 phones you can buy

The Snapdragon 8-series continues to be the leader when it comes to high-end Android flagships, though more devices are opting for alternatives than ever before, such as Google’s move toward Tensor. Even Samsung took a step backward, re-embracing Exynos for the Galaxy S24 international model. Nonetheless, if you’re looking for one of the best Android phones of 2024, you’ll want to consider a phone with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor.

The best Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 phones:

Editor’s note: We’ll regularly update this list of the best Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 phones as new devices launch.

Samsung Galaxy S24 series

The Samsung Galaxy S24 family offers some of the best specs and performance you’ll find in the mobile world, though it’s worth noting that those outside of the US will only get a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC if you purchase the Ultra model. The Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus ship with an Exynos 2400 instead. While there are plenty of spec improvements, outside of the SoC, what really stands out is its push towards AI this time around.

The new Galaxy AI Suite introduces features like Photo Assist, which lets you edit out background distractions and make other changes to the images in a manner similar to Google’s Magic Editor. There’s also a Chat Assistant function in the Samsung Keyboard that reads through and cleans up messages as you type, or even offers you tips for different tones or better ways to express yourself. That’s far from the complete list as there’s also a new Note Assistant function, Circle to Search which works a bit like Google Lens, and much more.

The Galaxy S24 series also raises the bar when it comes to software update policies by matching Google’s impressive pledge to provide seven years of OS updates and security fixes.

Samsung Galaxy S24 specs

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus specs

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra specs

OnePlus 12

The OnePlus 12 isn’t a major departure from the OnePlus 11, especially in terms of design. While it might not look much different on the outside, the OnePlus 12 has improved durability, a slightly larger display, and of course the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC with up to 16GB of RAM. It’s also worth noting the OnePlus 12’s Dual Cryo-Velocity cooling setup means this phone doesn’t get hot under heavy load, making it a great companion for gaming for those who care about mobile games but not enough to invest in something like the Asus ROG Phone 8. Those who care about long battery life will also be happy to know the battery has increased from 4,820mAh to a whopping 5,400mAh this year.

Unfortunately, it’s not all perfect. The OnePlus 12 skips IP68 in favor of IP65 protection, which means it’s safe from jets of water from all sides. OnePlus has also yet to embrace AI in the way other smartphone makers have, though some of that could be addressed in future software updates.

OnePlus 12 specs

Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra

The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is a very different animal from the Zenfone 10. It’s bigger than ever before with its larger 6.78-inch display and there’s plenty of other improvements, including the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. There’s a lot of similarities between the ROG Phone 8 and this new model, though there’s less gaming focus and a more traditional glass sandwich design. Another big change is the battery life, which jumps from 4,300mAh over to 5,500mAh. That’s even larger than the OnePlus 12, which makes this another great choice for those who care about gaming but don’t want an actual gaming phone.

While OnePlus puts almost zero effort into AI features with the OnePlus 12, Asus straddles the line somewhere in the middle. There’s AI Transcript for converting recorder audio into text, AI Call Translator for real-time translation, and other features like AI noise cancellation. It’s not just a bigger push toward artificial intelligence, the Zenfone 11 Ultra also includes a few new software improvements such as new customization options.

Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra specs:

Asus ROG Phone 8

The ROG Phone 8 is a major departure from the ROG Phone 7, offering a brand-new design that’s much less aggressive than before. The result is a phone that’s still perfectly tailored toward gaming but with a more reserved look that could attract customers looking for something different from mainstream flagships but are less impressed by typical gaming aesthetics.  Under the hood, you’ll find a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and up to 24GB of RAM, alongside plenty of other meaningful upgrades. You’ll also get IP68 water and dust resistance for the first time, a byproduct of the new enclosed design structure.

While the ROG Phone 8 has much broader appeal than its predecessor it also ditches some of the features it was previously best known for including flashy looks, larger and more powerful cooling fans, and the amazing front-firing speakers found on every other ROG Phone until now.

Asus ROG Phone 8 specs:

Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro specs:

Xiaomi 14

The Xiaomi 14 isn’t available in the States, but it’s one of the best lower-cost flagships around in select markets in Europe and Asia. The Xiaomi 14 and 14 Pro both include a Snapdragon 8 Gen 8 processor with up to 16GB of RAM and with storage options up to 1TB. The camera experience is also pretty similar, though the Pro has an improved variable aperture of f/1.42 – f/4.

Xiaomi doesn’t necessarily make any major waves with the Xiaomi 14 family. There are no major AI upgrades, but the whole package is a solid step forward from last year. If you’re looking for a powerful phone without spending a fortune, the Xiaomi 14 series is worth a look.

Xiaomi 14 specs

Xiaomi 14 Pro specs

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is a pretty major update compared to its predecessor. Not only has the cover screen jumped in size, the internal display has also seen a minor increase as well. The new design looks much more polished than the older Fold models, resulting in an experience that’s lighter and feels more like a traditional smartphone when folded.

That’s far from the only change here. There’s also the new and powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 inside and plenty of new software features. Just don’t expect too much of a difference when it comes to the battery life or cameras, as these are virtually unchanged from its predecessor.

Galaxy Z Fold 6 specs

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 isn’t nearly as big of an update aesthetically as the Fold 6 but it does see quite few major improvements under the hood. The camera gets a major update, ditching its 12MP shooter for a new 50MP main camera that’s in line with the Galaxy S24’s main shooter. Th 12MP ultrawide lens remains the same, however. Beyond the camera, there’s also plenty of new AI features and an upgrade to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

The Flip 6 should also handle heat better than ever before, thanks to the addition of a vapor chamber cooling system for the first time on the Z Flip series. The RAM has also jumped up from 8GB to 12GB, which should let it handle modern gaming and other high-performance activities without skipping a beat.

Galaxy Z Flip 6 specs

Honorable mentions

While the phones above represent some of the most popular and important Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 phones on the market, there are certainly many other options, especially for those who are outside of the US. Here are just a few other great Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 phones worth mentioning:

• Motorola Razr Plus: One of the best smart flip phones on the market and really the only viable competitor to the Galaxy Z Flip series in the US.
• Asus ROG Phone 8 and 8 Pro: The ROG Phone series remains the last major gaming phone out there after brands like Razr called it quits years ago. The ROG Phone 8 series has tons of power but also manages to adopt a more mainstream design that still appeals to gamers but much more subtly.

Do you need a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 series phone?

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is one of the most powerful processors ever made and can handle just about anything you can throw its way from gaming to video editing, and everything in between. If you care about having the absolute best Android processor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a no-brainer. It brings new AI features and combines them with top-tier processing power that won’t be beaten by anything offered by Google Tensor, Exynos, or MediaTek SoCs.

Of course, do you really need a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 series phone? The answer depends on your needs. If you’re a hardcore mobile gamer or power user, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 might make a lot of sense. It has more power than the Tensor, Exynos, or Mediatek alternatives and yet it still has almost as good of AI features as the legendary Pixel series with the introduction of Galaxy AI.

If you mostly stick to basics like social media consumption, internet browsing, and casual gaming? The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a bit overkill. You could easily get by with a Tensor-powered Pixel or one of the many mid-range SoCs out there. On the other hand, even then, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 flagship is going to have longevity on its side. Most of these phones will have at least a few OS upgrades in store or even up to seven full years with devices like the Galaxy S24 series. With all the power here, you’ll find that this phone will be more than capable of lasting seven years for more casual users.

Don’t want to spend the high prices a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 phone will command? Another alternative would be to check out some of last year’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 phones. These devices still have plenty of life left in them and are now seeing steep discounts as their successors hit the market. Need an even cheaper alternative? Check out our guide to the best cheap phones.

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