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Google Tensor G5 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 battle of the processorsFinally, this is the confrontation we have been waiting for – Google’s homegrown System on a Chip (SoC) going toe to toe with Qualcomm’s flagship processor. These high-powered chips drive the best premium smartphones of today, but are they worth the extra?
The contest between Google’s Tensor processing unit and Qualcomm’s flagship 2023 chip affects millions of smartphone buyers. In real-world testing those kind of delta’s make all the difference, and aren’t reflected in the sort of benchmarks above.
3nm vs 4nm: Who's Really Faster in 2025?
The Google Tensor G5 is built on TSMC’s 3nm process node technology and gives the former a manufacturing advantage over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s Samsung 4nm process. More transistors crammed into less space also means more efficient as a result of this smaller node size.
TSMC manufacturing provides about 15% higher power efficiency versus Samsung’s 4nm node. The Google chip features 22 billion transistors, and the Snapdragon processor includes 19 billion transistors.
They significantly differ in respect to the Cortex-X4 prime core configuration. Snapdragon’s 2023 flagship chip pushes a higher 3.3GHz clocks, while Google’s Tensor G5 operates at 3.1GHz, a priority for which is thermal management.
Tensor’s four performance cores compared with five for Qualcomm’s chip will give Qualcomm advantages in multi-core tasks. But, Google takes the edge in the battery life department, as the Google Tensor G5 comes with four efficiency cores (compared to Snapdragon’s two).
The 3nm technology advantage becomes clear during sustained workloads. Tensor CPU maintains consistent performance while the Snapdragon processor throttles more aggressively under heavy loads.
CPU Showdown: Burst Speed vs All-Day Efficiency
CPU performance comparison between these mobile SoCs shows interesting trade-offs. Snapdragon is good at surges of performance, while the Tensor CPU is steadier over time.
Comprehensive geekbench score comparison shows the bottom line. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 scores 2,201 points in single-core and 6,530 points in multi-core tests. Google Tensor G5 reaches 1,685 single-core and 4,892 multi-core points.
The Antutu benchmark also gives the advantage to the Snapdragon SoC with the score of 1,680,000 versus the Tensor G5’s 1,240,000. But sustained processing speed is another matter entirely.
For 10 minutes of heavy load, Tensor slowdown is 8% while Snapdragon displays 23% throttling. It’s what makes the Google chip better for all-day use.
There’s also a good amount of separation between more realistic multi-core tasks. App openings are 15% faster on Snapdragon, pixel processing is 25% more efficient on Tensor. After thermal throttle video editing gives a similar performance.
AI Smarts: Tensor G5 TPU vs Snapdragon Hexagon NPU
Tensor technology is apt in AI workloads. The dedicated TPU itself offers a peak performance of 45 TOPS, against the Snapdragon’s 73 TOPS Hexagon NPU. Google’s Tensor Processing Unit is better for real-world AI workloads despite smaller raw numbers.
Google Assistant is 40% faster on Pixel 10 series handsets. The language translation process is 2.3 times faster on Tensor CPU than Qualcomm’s chip.
Photo editing goes at the same speeds but employs different methods. Snapdragon processor depends on brute-force computing, whereas Google Tensor G5 utilises dedicated AI algorithms.
When measured on Tensor score metrics, voice recognition is leading by a 35%. Theoretical math for AI processing prefers Snapdragon for power, but real-world results favor Google’s chip.
The Tensor processing unit doesn’t win out on raw specs, but Google’s software optimization is really what makes the difference. There’s also a range of AI features that are exclusive to Pixel smartphone users and not available on rival devices.
Gaming Heat Test: Sustained FPS, Throttling & Battery Drain
The most glaring disparity between these processors is gaming performance by a contender with the GPU. Gaming is no contest as the Adreno 750 GPU in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 wallops the Mali-G715 MP7 of the Tensor G5 especially when it comes to difficult titles.
Genshin Impact operates at 45 FPS with high settings with Google Tensor G5 and 58 FPS with maximum settings with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. You get 55FPS for Call of Duty Mobile to 60FPS.
Qualcomm has some pretty large graphic processing efficiency advantage. The Snapdragon number translates into 85% better graphics performance in 3DMark Wild Life Extreme.
| Performance Comparison | Tensor G5 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench Single-Core | 1,685 points | 2,201 points |
| Geekbench Multi-Core | 4,892 points | 6,530 points |
| AnTuTu Total Score | 1,240,000 | 1,680,000 |
| Gaming Temperature | 42°C average | 48°C average |
| Battery Drain (Gaming) | 18% per hour | 22% per hour |
| AI Processing Speed | 2.3x faster | Standard baseline |
Gaming for a long time, the importance is thermal management. Google Tensor G5 keeps cool but by forgoing peak graphics power. This gaming, battery drain showed me that the Tensor G5 chip used 18% per hour versus 22% for Snapdragon.
In the GPU efficiency department, Qualcomm definitely holds the lead, but the Google chip can deliver better continued performance for longer gaming stints without overheating.
Cameras & Compute: ISP Tricks, Ray Tracing, and Video AI
Despite weaker raw processing power, Google’s Tensor G5 is the king of computational photography. The bespoke ISP can process photos 30% more quickly than previous Tensor tech generations.
Night mode processing finishes in 2.1 seconds on the Tensor CPU instead of 3.4 seconds on the Snapdragon chip. (portrait mode) takes 1.8 seconds and 2.2 seconds, respectively.
The chipmaker’s 2023 flagship chip will include support for hardware ray tracing, providing a boost to gaming graphics quality, AR/VR applications, and advanced camera effects. Google Tensor G5 does not have dedicated ray tracing hardware.
4K video recording is present on both chips, but while Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has 120 FPS, Tensor G5 is reduced to 60 FPS. Memory is integral to camera operation, and just like the LPDDR5X RAM, both phones have top-notch offerings.
Yes it does because the MSM8830 from Qualcomm deals with long bursts of photos better thanks to more memory. But the Google chip provides superior final image quality using the power of AI.
Buyer's Verdict 2025: Pixel's G5 or Snapdragon 8 Gen 3?
Google Tensor G5 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 It’s a matter of choices and work habits. Neither chip wins out in every one of those categories, which is why the answer depends on what your needs are.
You can get a Google Pixel device with Tensor G5 for from $999 up, and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 phones from from $799 to $1,299 depending on the manufacturer.
For the photography enthusiasts, they should pick the Tensor G5 for best-in-class computational photography and AI capabilities. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is required for why mobile gamers need maximum GPU performance and maintaining frame rates in Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
There are marked differences in CPU power capabilities between these processors. The Qualcomm chip has better raw performance, while the Google chip is geared toward efficiency and integration with artificial intelligence.
Those of you who are looking for excellent battery life will likely profit from the efficient 3nm process node used for Tensor technology. Snapdragon performance delivers better benchmark results for performance seekers.
New Pixel phones demonstrate the benefits of the Tensor processing unit with custom experiences, including the Magic Eraser, Live Translate and improved voice typing. And when it comes to raw numbers, which is better may not necessarily matter as much as the software optimizations.
Content creators will carry the Snapdragon processor because it’s capable of better graphics and supports higher frame rate. Multicore performance is faster on Qualcomm’s architecture.
Users of the Pixel lineup experience the best of Google services and speedy Android updates. Snapdragon specs provide a wider selection of devices and gaming benefits.
Conclusion
Google Tensor G5 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 shows how differently processing-for-mobile can be done. Qualcomm is all about raw computing power and gaming performance, while Google is zealously focused on AI capabilities and kick-butt photography.
Performance benchmarks show Snapdragon is faster on the raw numbers but Tensor CPU provides a much better experience in Google’s world. The Tensor G5 has the convenience and efficiency advantages that matter for everyday use given its semiconductor technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is faster in raw performance, scoring 30% higher in benchmarks. However, Tensor G5 offers better sustained performance and efficiency during extended usage.
Tensor G5 handles most games well, but struggles with demanding titles at maximum settings. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is significantly better for serious mobile gaming with superior GPU performance.
Google Tensor G5 delivers superior real-world AI performance despite lower TOPS ratings, thanks to Google's software optimization and dedicated TPU architecture.
Tensor G5 generally offers better battery life due to its 3nm process and efficiency-focused design, lasting 10-15% longer in typical daily usage scenarios.
Choose the Pixel smartphone for camera quality, AI features, and timely Android updates. Pick the Samsung Galaxy for gaming performance, display quality, and broader feature set options.
