The Battle Of Chipsets: Apple A18 Pro Vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 4

Apple’s new A18 Pro chipset powers the latest iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max. It promises powerful CPU performance and brings moderate upgrades in the GPU and NPU departments. That said, how does the A18 Pro stack up against the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset? To find the difference in performance and efficiency, we have compared the A18 Pro and Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 in a detailed manner.

A18 Pro vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 4: Specs Comparison

Note: This comparison is based on Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 leaks.

Performance Insights: CPU Capabilities

The Apple A18 Pro utilizes TSMC’s 3nm (N3E) process node, similar to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. However, Apple retains its traditional six-core setup, which includes two performance cores and four efficiency cores. The performance cores can reach a frequency of 4.04GHz, which is quite impressive for a mobile chipset operating within a passively cooled environment.

On the other side, Qualcomm has chosen to implement an eight-core setup with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, featuring the new Nuvia-designed Oryon CPU cores—previously seen in the Snapdragon X series for Windows laptops. Two of these Oryon cores can reach 4.32GHz, while the other six operate at 3.53GHz, marking a significant advancement.

Geekbench Scores: A Performance Breakdown

The Geekbench score for the A18 Pro has emerged, revealing it achieved 3,409 in single-core and 8,492 in multi-core tests. In contrast, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, according to recent leaks, scored 3,236 in single-core and 10,049 in multi-core tests while operating on the anticipated OnePlus 13.

Although the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 has a higher clock speed at 4.32GHz, it falls short of matching the A18 Pro’s single-core performance. However, its multi-core capabilities show a substantial lead, offering an 18% boost over the A18 Pro.

GPU Performance Comparison

When we discuss the GPU, Apple has not introduced significant changes to the A18 Pro's 6-core GPU. The architecture remains consistent, but the GPU clock speed has seen an increase. Additionally, due to advancements like a 17% increase in memory speed and a graphite substructure, the A18 Pro GPU performs around 20% better than its predecessor, the A17 Pro GPU.

Conversely, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is rumored to feature Qualcomm’s new Adreno 830 GPU, which aims to deliver exceptional graphics performance. The previous year's Adreno 750 GPU exceeded the A17 Pro’s GPU performance, and it appears that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is on track to outperform the A18 Pro's GPU as well.

AI and NPU Performance

The A18 Pro retains the same 16-core Neural Engine from last year, capable of delivering AI performance up to 35 TOPS based on INT8 data types. With faster onboard memory, the Neural Engine can improve performance in processing AI workloads and supporting features like Apple Intelligence. Apple's Core ML framework is well-optimized and widely supported by developers, enhancing the overall AI experience.

Currently, there is limited information regarding the capabilities of the Hexagon NPU in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. Based on last year's performance, it is expected that the new AI engine will efficiently run on-device AI models. However, Qualcomm will need to enhance its framework across Android and other platforms significantly.

Connectivity Features: Comparing Modems

In terms of mobile connectivity, Apple is expected to include Qualcomm’s previous-generation Snapdragon X75 5G modem in the iPhone 16 series. In contrast, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will likely incorporate the updated Snapdragon X80 5G modem, promising improved coverage and efficiency, along with similar peak download/upload speeds.

Both SoCs support Wi-Fi 7, but the A18 Pro comes with Bluetooth 5.3, while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 offers Bluetooth 5.4 and LE, showcasing Qualcomm’s advancements in wireless technology.

Final Thoughts on Performance and Efficiency

The A18 Pro in the iPhone 16 Pro series demonstrates impressive CPU performance, bolstered by its Armv9.2 architecture. However, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 surpasses the A18 Pro in multi-core performance thanks to its additional cores.

In single-core tasks, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 comes close to the A18 Pro, despite utilizing an older architecture. Nevertheless, the A18 Pro stands out in terms of performance per watt, achieving better results at lower frequencies.

As for GPU performance, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 might edge out the A18 Pro, given that Apple has not made significant GPU redesigns this year. We will conduct various benchmarks to determine the definitive performance of both chipsets once we can test the iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max and Xiaomi 15 Pro, the latter likely being the first device powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4.

What are your thoughts on the A18 Pro's performance? Share your insights in the comments below!