Snapdragon vs MediaTek Dimensity: Phone Processors Explained
The main families
- Qualcomm Snapdragon: the 8-series is flagship, 7-series upper mid-range, 6 and 4-series mid and entry.
- MediaTek Dimensity: the 9000-series is flagship, 8000-series upper mid-range, 7000 and 6000-series mid and entry.
- Apple A-series: designed for iPhones and paired tightly with iOS.
- Google Tensor: designed for Pixel phones with an emphasis on on-device AI and camera processing.
- Samsung Exynos: used in some Galaxy phones, from budget to flagship.
How we rank processors
BestPurifier groups processors by the series tier their makers position them in, and uses that tier in the spec score. We do not publish benchmark numbers, because results vary with the phone's cooling and software, and a tier is a more stable guide for buyers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Snapdragon better than MediaTek?
Not by brand alone. Both make flagship chips and budget chips. Compare the series tier — a MediaTek Dimensity 9000-series chip is a flagship part, while a Snapdragon 4-series chip is an entry-level one.
Which processor is best for gaming?
A flagship or upper mid-range chip paired with good cooling and a high-refresh display. Our gaming phones list filters for exactly that combination.