Thinking about getting a new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 phone this year? We take a look at your best options, including what’s coming down the pipe.
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
Display: 6.2-inch, FHD+ AMOLED, 1-120Hz refresh
Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB/256GB
Cameras: 50, 12, and 10MP
Front camera: 12MP
Battery: 4,000mAh
Software: Android 14
Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus specs
Display: 6.7-inch, QHD+ AMOLED, 1-120Hz refresh
Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
RAM: 12GB
Storage: 256GB/512GB
Cameras: 50, 12, and 10MP
Front camera: 12MP
Battery: 4,900mAh
Software: Android 14
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra specs
Display: 6.8-inch, QHD+ AMOLED, 1-120Hz refresh
Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
RAM: 12GB
Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB
Cameras: 200, 12, and 50MP
Front camera: 12MP
Battery: 5,000mAh
Software: Android 14
S-Pen support: Yes 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
Display: 6.82-inch, QHD+ LTPO
Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
RAM: 12GB/16GB
Storage: 256GB/512GB
Cameras: 50, 48 and 64MP
Front camera: 32MP
Battery: 5,400mAh
Software: Android 14 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.
