The MediaTek Dimensity 8020 and Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processors are designed for different market segments, with the Dimensity 8020 catering to mid-range devices and the Snapdragon 888 aiming at flagship smartphones. Both were announced at different times, reflecting their respective brand strategies and technological advancements.
General
MediaTek Dimensity 8020 launched in March 2023 for upper-mid-range 5G smartphones, while Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 launched in December 2020 for flagship 5G devices. Dimensity 8020 uses TSMC 6nm manufacturing, whereas Snapdragon 888 uses Samsung 5nm fabrication with Snapdragon X60 modem integration.
| Specification | MediaTek Dimensity 8020 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
|---|
| Launch date | March 2023 | December 2020 |
| Manufacturer | MediaTek | Qualcomm |
| Model number | MT6891Z/CZA | SM8350 |
| Target segment | Upper-mid-range 5G | Flagship 5G |
| Network support | 5G | 5G |
| Manufacturing process | 6nm | 5nm |
| Foundry | TSMC | Samsung |
CPU
MediaTek Dimensity 8020 CPU uses 8 ARMv8-A cores with 4x Cortex-A78@2.6GHz performance cores and 4x Cortex-A55@2.0GHz efficiency cores. Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 uses 8 ARMv8 cores with 1x Cortex-X1@2.84GHz, 3x Cortex-A78@2.42GHz and 4x Cortex-A55@1.8GHz cores.
| Specification | MediaTek Dimensity 8020 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
|---|
| CPU architecture | ARMv8-A | ARMv8-A |
| Core configuration | 4x Cortex-A78@2.6GHz + 4x Cortex-A55@2.0GHz | 1x Cortex-X1@2.84GHz + 3x Cortex-A78@2.42GHz + 4x Cortex-A55@1.8GHz |
| Total cores | 8 cores | 8 cores |
| Maximum clock speed | 2.6GHz | 2.84GHz |
| Instruction set | 64-bit ARM | 64-bit ARM |
| Process node | 6nm | 5nm |
| 64-bit support | Yes | Yes |
Graphics
MediaTek Dimensity 8020 integrates Mali-G610 MC6 GPU based on Arm Valhall architecture with Vulkan 1.3 support, while Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 uses Adreno 660 GPU based on Qualcomm architecture with Vulkan 1.1 support. Both GPUs support high-refresh-rate smartphone gaming workloads at resolutions up to 1440p depending on device configuration.
| Specification | MediaTek Dimensity 8020 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
|---|
| GPU model | Mali-G610 MC6 | Adreno 660 |
| GPU architecture | Arm Valhall | Qualcomm Adreno architecture |
| GPU API support | Vulkan 1.3, OpenGL ES 3.2 | Vulkan 1.1, OpenGL ES 3.2 |
| Gaming resolution support | Up to 1440p | Up to 1440p |
| Display gaming scenarios | 120Hz/144Hz smartphone displays | 120Hz smartphone displays |
| Hardware video acceleration | H.264, H.265, VP9 | H.264, H.265, VP9, AV1 decode |
| AI graphics features | MediaTek HyperEngine 6.0 gaming optimisation | Qualcomm Game Quick Touch and Variable Rate Shading |
Memory
MediaTek Dimensity 8020 and Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 both support LPDDR5 memory configurations with up to 3,200Mbps data rates and UFS 3.1 storage support. Dimensity 8020 uses a 64-bit memory bus design, while Snapdragon 888 integrates Qualcomm Hexagon architecture and memory optimisation for workloads including AI processing, 4K video editing and multitasking.
| Specification | MediaTek Dimensity 8020 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
|---|
| Memory type | LPDDR5 | LPDDR5 |
| Maximum memory frequency | 3,200Mbps | 3,200Mbps |
| Memory bus width | 64-bit | 64-bit |
| Maximum theoretical bandwidth | ~25.6GB/s | ~25.6GB/s |
| Maximum RAM support | 12GB | 16GB |
| Storage support | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| ECC memory support | Supported | Supported |
Multimedia (ISP)
MediaTek Dimensity 8020 uses MediaTek Imagiq 780 ISP with support for up to 200MP camera sensors, 4K60 HDR10+ video recording and 2520 x 1080 pixel display resolution support. Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 uses Spectra 580 ISP with triple 14-bit processing, 200MP camera support, 8K30 video recording and 4K120 slow-motion capture.
| Specification | MediaTek Dimensity 8020 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
|---|
| ISP name | MediaTek Imagiq 780 | Qualcomm Spectra 580 |
| ISP generation | Imagiq 780 | Spectra 580 |
| Supported storage type | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Maximum display resolution | 2520 x 1080 pixel | 3840 x 2160 pixel |
| Maximum refresh rate support | 120Hz | 144Hz |
| Maximum camera resolution | 200MP | 200MP |
| Multi-camera support | Triple camera processing | Triple camera processing |
| Video capture capability | 4K60 HDR10+ | 8K30, 4K120 |
| Video playback codecs | H.264, H.265, VP9 | H.264, H.265, VP9, AV1 |
| Audio codecs | AAC, AIFF, FLAC, MP3 | AAC, AIFF, FLAC, MP3 |
Connectivity and network
MediaTek Dimensity 8020 integrates a 5G modem with 4.7Gbps peak download speed, while Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 integrates Snapdragon X60 5G Modem-RF system with up to 7.5Gbps download and 3Gbps upload speeds. Both chipsets support Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, Bluetooth 5.2 and multi-system GNSS positioning for smartphone navigation.
| Specification | MediaTek Dimensity 8020 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
|---|
| Cellular modem | Integrated 5G modem | Snapdragon X60 5G Modem-RF |
| Network support | 5G Sub-6GHz, 4G LTE | 5G Sub-6GHz, mmWave, 4G LTE |
| Maximum download speed | 4.7Gbps | 7.5Gbps |
| Maximum upload speed | 2.5Gbps | 3Gbps |
| Wi-Fi standard | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) |
| Bluetooth version | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| GNSS support | GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS, NavIC |