Snapdragon vs MediaTek vs Dimensity (2025) — Best Gaming Processor Compared

Introduction

In 2025, mobile gaming is bigger than ever. From casual players of Clash of Clans to competitive PUBG New State and Call of Duty Mobile pros, everyone wants smooth graphics, high fps, and reliable performance. And at the heart of this gaming experience is one crucial decision — which smartphone processor should you choose?

The three most talked-about chipsets in India are Qualcomm Snapdragon, MediaTek Helio, and MediaTek Dimensity. Each comes with its own strengths, weaknesses, and price points. In this post, we’ll break down Snapdragon vs MediaTek vs Dimensity in detail, focusing on benchmarks, GPU differences, fps performance in popular games, and battery impact.

By the end, you’ll know exactly which processor is best for gaming in 2025.

Benchmark Summary

Benchmarks provide a quick way to measure raw CPU and GPU strength. The most popular platforms are Geekbench (CPU), AnTuTu (overall performance), and 3DMark (GPU tests).

• Snapdragon: High scores in single-core and strong GPU results. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and upcoming 8 Gen 4 dominate flagship charts.

• Dimensity: Strong multi-core performance. The Dimensity 9300 nearly matches Snapdragon’s flagship performance but costs less.

• Helio: Great for budget smartphones, but gaming benchmarks remain limited (around 60 fps in most titles).

External Source: Geekbench Official Results

Single-Core vs Multi-Core Performance

Single-core performance is crucial for fast response, app launch, and lightweight games. Multi-core is important for multitasking and heavy AAA games like Genshin Impact.

• Snapdragon: Consistently stronger in single-core, making it the most responsive chipset.

• Dimensity: Better scaling in multi-core, which helps in demanding tasks like emulators or big open-world games.

• Helio: Sufficient for simple games like Subway Surfers, but struggles with multi-core workloads.

📊 Geekbench 2025 Scores:

• Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 → Single-core: 2200 | Multi-core: 7000+

• Dimensity 9300 → Single-core: 2100 | Multi-core: 7200+

• Helio G99 → Single-core: 750 | Multi-core: 2000+

GPU Differences (Graphics Power)

The GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is the real hero of gaming. It determines fps, visual quality, and heat generation.

• Snapdragon (Adreno GPUs): Known for stability, optimized drivers, and excellent sustained fps in long sessions.

• Dimensity (Immortalis/Mali GPUs): Impressive power, sometimes even matching Adreno, but certain games lack full optimization.

• Helio (Mali GPUs): Limited capability — decent for low-end titles but not competitive gaming.

📊 FPS Benchmark 2025 (PUBG Ultra HD settings):

• Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (Adreno 750) → 120 fps

• Dimensity 9300 (Immortalis-G720) → 115 fps

• MediaTek Helio G99 → 60 fps

Real-World Gaming Tests

Synthetic benchmarks are important, but real-life gameplay tells the actual story.

• Genshin Impact: Snapdragon stays consistent even in long 30–40 min sessions. Dimensity performs well but shows small drops after extended play.

• PUBG New State: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Dimensity 9300 both deliver 100+ fps gaming. Snapdragon has a slight advantage in stability.

• Call of Duty Mobile: Snapdragon’s Adreno GPU optimization shines here. Dimensity performs well, but Helio maxes out at 60 fps.

• Casual games: All three (even Helio) run them flawlessly with minimal power usage.

Battery Impact & Thermal Efficiency

Gaming drains the battery fast. Processors built on 3nm or 4nm process nodes manage heat and efficiency better.

• Snapdragon: Balanced approach, offers both performance and long-lasting efficiency.

• Dimensity: More efficient in CPU-heavy tasks but slightly hungrier in GPU-heavy workloads.

• Helio: Very battery-friendly but can’t deliver high-performance gaming.

📊 Battery Drain (1 hour gaming, 5000mAh phone):

• Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 → ~16%

• Dimensity 9300 → ~18%

• Helio G99 → ~10%

Comparison Table (Benchmarks + Gaming Performance)

Conclusion — Which is the Best Processor for Gaming in 2025?

After comparing Snapdragon vs MediaTek vs Dimensity, here’s the verdict:

• Best Overall: Snapdragon (8 Gen 3 / 8 Gen 4) → unbeatable fps, GPU optimization, and stability.

• Best Value: Dimensity 9300 → excellent performance at a lower cost, strong multi-core power.

• Best Budget: Helio G99 → decent for casual games but not meant for competitive gamers.

👉 Final Verdict: In 2025, Snapdragon remains the king of gaming processors, but Dimensity is the best choice for gamers on a tighter budget.

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FAQs

Q1. Is Snapdragon better than Dimensity for gaming?
Yes, Snapdragon still leads in stability and GPU optimization, but Dimensity is catching up fast with strong multi-core performance.

Q2. Which MediaTek processor is best for gaming?
The Dimensity 9300 is MediaTek’s flagship, offering near-Snapdragon-level performance.

Q3. Is Helio G99 good for PUBG?
It can run PUBG smoothly at 60 fps on medium settings but cannot handle Ultra HD 120 fps gaming.

Q4. Which processor is most battery efficient?
Dimensity chips are very efficient in CPU tasks, but Snapdragon balances both CPU and GPU better.

Q5. Which is the best processor for gaming in 2025?
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (and upcoming Gen 4) is the best, followed by Dimensity 9300 for budget-conscious gamers.