The MediaTek Dimensity 8020 and Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 are 5G mobile processors built for premium Android smartphones. The Dimensity 8020 focuses on efficient everyday performance with its 6nm architecture, while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 delivers flagship-level power through a 4nm design, advanced CPU cores, and a more capable GPU. Both chipsets support fast memory, AI-powered features, high-resolution cameras, and advanced connectivity.
General
The MediaTek Dimensity 8020 and Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 support modern smartphone features, including integrated 5G, AI processing, high-refresh-rate displays, and fast storage. While the Dimensity 8020 is designed for upper mid-range devices, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 powers flagship smartphones with stronger CPU and GPU performance.
| Specification | MediaTek Dimensity 8020 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Brand | MediaTek | Qualcomm |
| Launch date | April 2023 | December 2021 |
| Model number | MT6891Z/CZA | SM8450 |
| Segment | Upper mid-range | Flagship |
| Network support | 2G/3G/4G/5G | 2G/3G/4G/5G |
| Process node | 6nm | 4nm |
| Foundry | TSMC | Samsung |
CPU
The MediaTek Dimensity 8020 combines four Cortex-A78 performance cores with four Cortex-A55 efficiency cores to balance performance and power consumption. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 adopts Arm's newer CPU architecture, featuring Cortex-X2, Cortex-A710, and Cortex-A510 cores that deliver faster processing for gaming, multitasking, AI applications, and demanding workloads.
| Specification | MediaTek Dimensity 8020 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| CPU architecture | 4x Cortex-A78 + 4x Cortex-A55 | 1x Cortex-X2 + 3x Cortex-A710 + 4x Cortex-A510 |
| Core count | 8 | 8 |
| Performance cores | 4x Cortex-A78 @ 2.6GHz | 1x Cortex-X2 @ 3.0GHz + 3x Cortex-A710 @ 2.5GHz |
| Efficiency cores | 4x Cortex-A55 @ 2.0GHz | 4x Cortex-A510 @ 1.8GHz |
| Maximum clock speed | 2.6GHz | 3.0GHz |
| Instruction set | ARMv8.2-A | ARMv9-A |
| 64-bit support | Yes | Yes |
Graphics
The MediaTek Dimensity 8020 features the Mali-G77 MC9 GPU, which provides smooth gaming and multimedia performance. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 uses the Adreno 730 GPU, delivering faster graphics rendering and supporting advanced gaming technologies for flagship devices.
| Specification | MediaTek Dimensity 8020 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MC9 | Adreno 730 |
| GPU architecture | Bifrost | Adreno architecture |
| Gaming support | High-refresh-rate gaming | Flagship high-refresh-rate gaming |
| Vulkan | Vulkan 1.3 | Vulkan 1.1 |
| OpenGL ES | 3.2 | 3.2 |
| Hardware video acceleration | Yes | Yes |
| AI graphics enhancement | MediaTek HyperEngine 5.0 | Snapdragon Elite Gaming |
Memory
Both processors support LPDDR5 memory, enabling faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and improved responsiveness. They also provide identical memory bandwidth, although the supported RAM capacity depends on the smartphone manufacturer.
| Specification | MediaTek Dimensity 8020 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Memory type | LPDDR5 | LPDDR5 |
| Maximum memory frequency | 6400Mbps | 6400Mbps |
| Bus width | 4 × 16-bit | 4 × 16-bit |
| Maximum bandwidth | 51.2GB/s | 51.2GB/s |
| Maximum RAM | Up to 16GB (device dependent) | Up to 16GB (device dependent) |
| ECC memory | No | No |
Multimedia (ISP)
The MediaTek Dimensity 8020 includes the Imagiq 790 image signal processor for photography and HDR imaging. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 uses the Spectra ISP with Snapdragon Sight, offering more advanced computational photography and support for higher-resolution video recording.
| Specification | MediaTek Dimensity 8020 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| ISP | MediaTek Imagiq 790 | Qualcomm Spectra ISP with Snapdragon Sight |
| Storage support | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Maximum display resolution | 2520 × 1080 | 3840 × 2160 |
| Maximum refresh rate | Up to 168Hz (FHD+) | Up to 144Hz (QHD+) / 60Hz (4K) |
| Maximum camera resolution | 200MP | 200MP |
| Multi-camera support | Yes | Yes |
| Video recording | 4K @ 60fps | 8K @ 30fps, 4K HDR |
| Video playback | 4K HDR | 8K HDR |
| Video codecs | H.264, H.265, AV1, VP9 | H.264, H.265, AV1, VP9 |
Connectivity and network
Both processors include integrated 5G modems and support the latest wireless technologies for fast and reliable connectivity. The MediaTek Dimensity 8020 focuses on Sub-6GHz 5G, while the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 adds mmWave support for higher network speeds in supported regions.
| Specification | MediaTek Dimensity 8020 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| 5G modem | MediaTek 5G UltraSave modem | Snapdragon X65 5G Modem-RF System |
| 5G support | Sub-6GHz | Sub-6GHz and mmWave |
| Maximum download speed | 4.7Gbps | 10Gbps |
| Maximum upload speed | 2.5Gbps | 3Gbps |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.2 |
| GNSS | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, NavIC, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, NavIC, QZSS |