The best Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 phones you can get

Publish date: 2022-01-13

Eric Zeman / Android Authority

Performance is one of the fundamental cornerstones of a great smartphone experience, and a flagship processor ensures you’re getting the best performance and reliability possible. With the release of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, you’re getting the most powerful chipset, capable of processing AI-based tasks four times faster, all with 70% better power efficiency. This chipset is the best currently available for Android in 2022, making an appearance in the latest flagships. With that said, here are the best Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 phones available.

See also: The best Android phones to spend your money on

Do you even need a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 phone?

For the vast majority of people, the latest flagship processor will only improve the smartphone experience on a marginal level. If you’re a casual user who primarily uses your phone to browse the web, scroll through social media, and occasionally game, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 might be overkill for most of your tasks.

A mid-range chipset such as the Snapdragon 765G may be better suited for more basic everyday tasks — for example, devices like the Pixel 5a provide an excellent all-around experience that arguably competes with the most expensive flagships.

Of course, if you’re a power user, you’re likely considering a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 phone because it’s the latest, most powerful chip around, found in the newest flagships. Devices that contain the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 typically have the best screens, the best cameras, and the highest configurable specifications of any Android phone.

For power users, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 provides raw performance that will likely power most of Android's best devices in 2022.

If you need to multitask, play demanding, graphic-intensive games, or require the most powerful-yet-reliable performance day-to-day, devices with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 will leave you more than satisfied. However, you’ll pay extra for the more powerful processor.

The best Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 phones:

Editor’s note: We’ll regularly update this list of the best Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 phones as new devices launch.

Samsung Galaxy S22 series

Eric Zeman / Android Authority

Samsung’s Galaxy S22 phones may not have been the first devices to ship with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, but they will surely be one of the most popular. This year, you’re getting an iterative update for the S22 and S22 Plus, including a boxier design, a slightly improved display, a new main sensor for the wide camera, and the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. Meanwhile, the Ultra adopts a Galaxy Note design with an S Pen, and differentiates itself further from its siblings with extra RAM and storage options and a beefier 5,000mAh battery.

Read more: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 vs. Exynos 2200

Regardless of which model you choose, you’re getting an excellent all-around experience, from performance, cameras, displays, and design. From vibrant 120Hz displays to some of our favorite camera systems, the S22 series provides what we consider to be a well-rounded experience. 

If you’re strictly picking up this series of phones for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, note that this phone variant is only available in specific markets, including North America, South America, Latin America, Japan, South Korea, and China. You’ll be getting the Exynos 2200 variant everywhere else, including Europe. Either way, these phones perform exceptionally well and are designed to handle any tasks you throw at them.

Samsung Galaxy S22 specs

Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus specs

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra specs

OnePlus 10 Pro

Harley Maranan / Android Authority

OnePlus has always put the best specifications on its flagship devices, and the OnePlus 10 Pro is no exception. Packed with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, a new LTPO 2.0 display, and an insane 80W charging speed, this device has plenty going for it.

The handset offers a capable main camera, supports wireless charging, and features stereo speakers. It also has the signature Alert slider on the side that comes in handy when you want to put the phone in silent mode as fast as possible.

There are a few issues we have to point out as well. The first one is that you only get an IP68 rating if you go with the T-Mobile version of the device. The software is also a bit inconsistent and the ultrawide camera has its issues as well — read the review for more detailed info. Despite its cons, the OnePlus 10 Pro is still among the best Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 phones you can currently get.

OnePlus 10 Pro specs

Xiaomi 12 series

Eric Zeman / Android Authority

Xiaomi’s Mi 11 line was the first set of devices to feature the Snapdragon 888 chipset, and in the same fashion, the Xiaomi 12 series was the first to feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC. Packed with high refresh rate displays, fast charging (with the charger included in the box), and plenty of power, the Xiaomi 12 series has a lot to offer.

In addition to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, the Xiaomi 12 comes with up to 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM. You also get a 6.28-inch Full HD+ display, a 4,500mAh battery with 67W charging, and a triple-camera setup at the back (50MP+13MP+5MP).

Read more: Xiaomi 12 series buyer’s guide

On the bigger Xiaomi 12 Pro, you’re getting a larger and sharper 6.73-inch WQHD+ display, 120W fast charging, and a larger 4,600mAh battery. The Pro also has better camera hardware with three 50MP rear sensors.

Xiaomi 12 specs

Xiaomi 12 Pro specs

Realme GT2 Pro

Kris Carlon / Android Authority

The Realme GT 2 Pro launched in China back in January but has since been released in global markets with the same impressive spec sheet.

The handset is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, a 6.7-inch QHD+ display with LTPO 2.0, and a massive 5,000mAh battery. The device also has a broad ultrawide lens that allows you to capture a 150-degree field of view. Realme also included a 40X microscope lens for good measure.

The Realme GT 2 Pro is already on sale in Europe as well as in India, but it likely won’t make it to the US. However, you can still get the international model on Amazon.

Realme GT 2 Pro specs

Motorola Edge Plus (2022)

Over the past couple of years, Motorola has slowly crept back into the flagship smartphone space. With the Motorola Edge Plus (2022), the company offers an interesting device for the masses.

Equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and a fluid 144Hz 6.7-inch P-OLED display, this device is packing a lot of punch. You’re also getting up to 512GB of onboard storage, but unlike most other devices on this list, the Motorola Edge Plus (2022) has expandable storage. On the camera front, the device has two sizeable 50MP main and ultrawide cameras, with the ultrawide lens boasting a 114-degree field of view. On the selfie side, there’s a high-resolution 60MP sensor.

Interestingly, Motorola’s latest flagship goes by many names. In North America, the device is the Motorola Edge Plus (2022). But in other markets like Asia, Europe, India, Latin America, and the Middle East, the phone goes under the Motorola Edge 30 Pro moniker. To add to the confusion, this device is a rebranded Moto Edge X30 launched in China in late 2021.

The Motorola Edge Plus (2022) is a notable device that takes full advantage of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1’s power, with a fast refresh rate and two high-resolution cameras.

Motorola Edge Plus (2022) specs

Oppo Find X5 Pro

Robert Triggs / Android Authority

With Oppo’s flagship devices, we’ve come to expect a premium design paired with the best specifications and charging capabilities, and with the Oppo Find X5 Pro, it’s no different. This is one of our favorite Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 devices, and with good reason. The Find X5 Pro features a ceramic back and a Gorilla Glass Victus front, which makes the device more durable against drops and scratches and makes it feel much more premium.

Also read: Oppo Find X5 Pro buyer’s guide

Aside from the 8 Gen 1, Oppo outfitted the Find X5 Pro with 256GB of storage, 12GB of RAM, and 80W SuperVOOC wired charging. On top of its impressive SoC, the company developed its own image signal processor called the Marisilicon X and partnered with Hasselblad to deliver enhanced picture color processing.

Oppo still doesn’t officially sell its devices in North America but has equipped the phone to support the n13, n18, and n25 5G bands compatible with North American carriers.

Oppo Find X5 Pro specs

Red Magic 7

Robert Triggs / Android Authority

If you’re looking for a device that showcases the full capabilities of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, look no further than the Red Magic 7. This gaming phone has a stacked spec sheet which includes an insane 6.8-inch 165Hz AMOLED display, 65W fast charging, and its own built-in cooling fan and vapor chamber to dissipate the heat generated by the SoC.

If you’re looking for a device to push the 8 Gen 1 to its maximum potential, the Red Magic 7 is the ideal device to do so. Being a gaming phone, it also includes pressure-sensitive sides to act as triggers for gameplay, and these pressure zones have a 500Hz touch-sampling rate.

The base model comes with 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM, and you can spec it up to 512GB with 16GB of RAM. The company behind Red Magic, Nubia, also debuted its Red Magic 7 Pro with even crazier specifications, but it currently does not have an official window for launch outside the Chinese market.

Red Magic 7 specs

Upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 phones

Here are a couple of devices we expect to feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 later this year.

That concludes our list of the best Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 smartphones out right now. We’ll update the list as new devices are released.

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