Unisoc T8300: Faster Than the Helio G99, but Graphics Are Almost the Same

The Unisoc T8300 is an octa-core processor for affordable 5G smartphones, introduced in March 2025. Thanks to its Cortex-A78 cores, it is roughly 20% faster than the Helio G99 in Geekbench 6, but graphics performance has barely changed. In some tests, the older MediaTek chip even comes out ahead.

This compromise is especially noticeable in the nubia Neo 3 5G. The smartphone has a 120 Hz display, gaming buttons, and a distinctive design, yet its Mali-G57 MC2 differs little from the graphics hardware in budget devices from the previous generation. Let’s examine how much this limits performance and what alternatives the market offers.

Architecture and Differences from Competitors

The T8300 is manufactured using TSMC’s 6 nm process. It features two performance Cortex-A78 cores clocked at up to 2.2 GHz and six efficiency Cortex-A55 cores running at up to 2.0 GHz. Graphics are handled by the Mali-G57 MC2 with two compute units and a clock speed of up to 950 MHz.

Compared with the Helio G99, the processor has more modern cores and an integrated 5G modem, but retains a similar graphics configuration.

The T9100 has four performance cores and twice as many graphics units. The Dimensity 7300 uses four Cortex-A78 cores, a 4 nm process, and the more powerful Mali-G615 MC2.

Geekbench 6 and AnTuTu 11: Comparing Six Smartphones

The results from three devices with the T8300 make it possible to assess not only CPU speed but also the impact of the specific smartphone model on performance.

The three smartphones with the T8300 score 866-880 points in the single-core Geekbench 6 test and 2042-2073 in the multi-core test. In both metrics, their advantage over the Galaxy A16 4G with the Helio G99 is around 20-23%.

The picture is different in the AnTuTu 11 graphics test. The Galaxy A16 4G scores 43 773 points, while the nubia Neo 3 5G reaches 41 859. At the same time, the nubia Air with the same T8300 scores 44 290 points. The difference between the devices is small and does not allow one of the processors to be named a clear GPU winner.

The T9100 in the nubia Neo 3 GT 5G scores 61 687 points in the graphics test, roughly 47% higher than the regular Neo 3. The Dimensity 7300 has an even larger advantage, scoring 90 793 points in the vivo T4x 5G.

Thus, moving from the Helio G99 to the T8300 brings a noticeable CPU improvement but barely changes the smartphone’s capabilities in demanding 3D games.

Gaming: What the Mali-G57 MC2 Can Do

The nubia Neo 3 5G provides the most representative results. Despite its gaming-oriented design, its performance depends on the selected graphics settings.

• PUBG Mobile: 29-32 FPS with HD graphics and the High mode. In another test, lowering the quality to Smooth resulted in around 39 FPS.
• Genshin Impact: around 28-30 FPS, with possible drops during battles. For a comfortable experience, it is better to use low settings.
• League of Legends: Wild Rift: in one review, the smartphone delivered around 80-90 FPS even with the 120 FPS mode selected.

The results come from different reviews and do not represent a single test conducted under identical conditions.

The smartphone also handles gameplay in Call of Duty: Mobile and Mobile Legends at moderate settings. However, graphics performance remains the main limitation in demanding titles.

The 120 Hz display and additional gaming buttons make the nubia Neo 3 more convenient to control. However, the display’s refresh rate does not guarantee 120 FPS, and the gaming features do not make up for the lack of graphics performance.

When choosing between the regular Neo 3 and the Neo 3 GT, the T9100-equipped version is considerably more interesting for gaming. Its GPU advantage comes not from the smartphone’s design but from its more powerful hardware configuration.

Memory, Cameras, and Connectivity

The Unisoc T8300 supports LPDDR4X at up to 2133 MHz, as well as UFS 2.2 or eMMC 5.1 storage. The latter option is cheaper but slower, so app installation and launch speeds may vary between smartphones.

The integrated seventh-generation Vivimagic ISP supports cameras of up to 108 MP and simultaneous operation of two 16 MP sensors. The processor decodes 4K video at 30 FPS and encodes video at up to 2K and 30 FPS. Actual recording capabilities depend on the device; for example, the nubia Neo 3 5G is limited to 1080p at 30 FPS.

Connectivity options include 5G Release 17, Wi-Fi 5, and Bluetooth 5.4. The chip also supports NR NTN technology for satellite networks, but using it requires compatible hardware and carrier support.

Unisoc claims a 28% improvement in power efficiency compared with the previous generation. There are not enough independent, comparable measurements to confirm this figure. Actual battery life depends on the smartphone, its display, battery, and firmware.

Is It Worth Buying a Smartphone with the Unisoc T8300?

The T8300 is sufficient for browsing, messaging, navigation, video, and most undemanding games. Its CPU speed is noticeably higher than that of the Helio G99, while 5G support makes it a more modern option for an affordable smartphone.

When choosing a specific model, its intended use should be taken into account:

• Redmi A7 Pro 5G is suitable for basic tasks if an affordable 5G smartphone is needed. Paying extra for a more powerful processor is unnecessary for messaging and video.
• nubia Neo 3 5G is interesting for its additional gaming buttons and 120 Hz display, but its gaming performance remains at a budget level.
• nubia Neo 3 GT 5G with the T9100 is preferable for gaming: its graphics are noticeably faster, while the additional performance cores help with multi-threaded tasks.
• vivo T4x 5G with the Dimensity 7300 offers an even more powerful GPU and greater performance headroom for demanding applications.

If smartphones with the T8300 and Dimensity 7300 are similarly priced, the latter is the more sensible choice. The regular Neo 3 makes sense if you are buying it for its gaming controls, not in expectation of high graphics performance.

The Unisoc T8300 successfully updates the processor side compared with the Helio G99 but makes almost no progress in graphics. That is sufficient for an affordable 5G smartphone. For a device purchased primarily for gaming, it is better to choose a more powerful chip.