The new A18 and A18 Pro chipsets in Apple’s iPhone 16 series bring noticeable improvements in CPU performance. Both chipsets outperform the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in CPU tests on Geekbench. However, when it comes to GPU performance, the story is different.
A18 Pro vs. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: GPU Performance
The A18 Pro delivers solid performance but still falls short compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. According to S White Review, the A18 Pro achieves a score of 4410 in the 3DMark Wildlife Extreme Unlimited test, while the base A18 scores 3829. Last year’s A17 Pro scores even lower at 3665. In contrast, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 blows past these numbers with a score of 5056. Additionally, the Dimensity 9300+ chipset tops the list with an impressive score of 5440.
The performance gap remains consistent in the GFXBench Aztec Ruin 1440p test, where the A18 Pro clocks 73 FPS (frames per second). However, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 surpasses that with a frame rate of 94 FPS, indicating stronger graphics processing power.
Power Consumption Differences
Despite the lower GPU performance, the A18 Pro consumes less power, which could result in better battery life for users. The A18 Pro has a power draw of 11.5 W compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s 13.7 W. While this difference in power consumption is significant, it doesn’t completely bridge the performance gap between the two chipsets.
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Looking Ahead: Snapdragon 8 Gen 4
The A18 Pro struggles to match the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, and the future looks even tougher for Apple. Qualcomm is preparing to release the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, which is expected to feature an even more powerful GPU than the current Adreno 750 found in the Gen 3. This upcoming chipset could further widen the gap between Qualcomm and Apple in terms of raw GPU power.
Ray Tracing: A Win for A18 Pro
While the A18 Pro’s GPU isn’t the best in terms of raw power, it does excel in ray tracing tests. For instance, in 3DMark’s Solar Bay test, the A18 Pro performs better than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, showcasing Apple’s advancements in this specialized area.
Conclusion
The iPhone maker’s chip offers excellent CPU performance and energy efficiency, but it falls behind the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 when it comes to GPU power. With Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 on the horizon, Apple may face even tougher competition in future performance battles. Nonetheless, the A18 Pro does offer benefits in ray tracing and power consumption, providing a balanced but less powerful option for gamers and power users.
