Snapdragon vs MediaTek: When you go shopping for a new smartphone, you probably don’t pay much attention to which chipset is used in it – but maybe you should.
Whether you want the best gaming performance, all-day battery life, or a phone with the best camera quality, the processor plays a key role in what a phone can do, how it performs, and how long it will last.
The best Android phones, and any good smartphone, use two main chipsets – Qualcomm’s Snapdragon and MediaTek. Both brands have their strengths – some offer great performance, while others offer good features at a great price. However, both have some weaknesses too.
In this guide, we’ll try to explain in simple terms in Snapdragon vs MediaTek, which chipset is best for you, so you know what phones you should be looking for in 2025, whether you’re buying a flagship phone or a budget smartphone.
Snapdragon: Power and performance – but expensive
If you’ve ever looked at high-end Android phones, you’ve probably heard the name Snapdragon. It’s manufactured by Qualcomm and is most commonly used in flagship and premium smartphones – and there’s a good reason for that.
Snapdragon chipsets have always been at the forefront of mobile performance. They are considered unmatched in terms of processing power, advanced camera features and fast 5G connectivity. Only Apple processors can compete with Snapdragon.
These chipsets are considered very strong, especially in terms of gaming, AI, camera processing and connectivity. The Snapdragon 8 Gen series (currently headed by the Snapdragon 8 Elite) offers exceptional CPU and GPU performance, perfect for heavy apps and multitasking. The Snapdragon 7 and 6 Gen series offer balanced speed and efficiency for mid-range and budget phones.
Snapdragon vs MediaTek: Which chipset is right for you?
If you are looking for a phone that can deliver great gaming, multitasking and camera processing performance, then Snapdragon flagship chips, such as Snapdragon 8 Elite, are right for you. On the other hand, if you want good features at an affordable price, and especially want a mid-range or budget phone with 5G connectivity, then MediaTek Dimensity chipsets can be a great option for you.
In the end, it depends on your usage and what kind of performance you need. While Snapdragon focuses on power and performance, MediaTek focuses on value and efficiency, making it easier for you to choose the right phone for your needs.
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