Apple's A18 Processor Benchmark Scores Spark Controversy: Can Snapdragon and Dimensity "Go Head-to-Head"?

Apple's A18 Processor Benchmark Scores Spark Controversy: Can Snapdragon and Dimensity "Go Head-to-Head"?The A18 processor boasts 2 high-performance cores and 6 efficiency cores, with a peak frequency of an astounding 4.04 GHz, marking a significant improvement over its predecessor

Apple's A18 Processor Benchmark Scores Spark Controversy: Can Snapdragon and Dimensity "Go Head-to-Head"?

Following the release of the Apple iPhone 16 series, the highly anticipated benchmark scores for the A18 processor have finally been revealed. Surprisingly, the A18's Geekbench 6 scores have sparked doubts about its performance, with some even suggesting that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 and Dimensity 9400 processors could potentially "go head-to-head" with Apple. What exactly led to this controversy? Let's delve into the details.

The A18 processor boasts 2 high-performance cores and 6 efficiency cores, with a peak frequency of an astounding 4.04 GHz, marking a significant improvement over its predecessor. In terms of single-core performance, the A18 surpasses the A17 Pro with a score of 3018, showcasing its powerful capabilities in single-task processing. However, in multi-core testing, the A18's score of 7751 failed to surpass the A17 Pro's score of over 7000, leading to some teasing about Apple's "precise knife skills."

While benchmark scores reflect the processor's performance level, they aren't the sole determinant of the overall user experience of a phone. Apple's optimization of the A18 chip extends beyond CPU performance, encompassing various aspects such as GPU, neural network engine, and more. According to official statements, the A18's GPU performance is 40% higher than the previous generation, while energy consumption has been reduced by 35%. The addition of a 16-core neural network engine provides the iPhone 16 with powerful computing capabilities for AI applications, machine learning, and more. Overall, the A18 processor showcases upgrades in various areas, making it a formidable force.

However, benchmark scores for Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 and Dimensity 9400 processors have emerged, demonstrating impressive performance. Taking the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 as an example, its single-core score is 3236, while its multi-core score is 10049, essentially matching the A17 Pro but significantly surpassing it in multi-core performance. Considering that engineering sample benchmark scores are for reference only, and production units are expected to exhibit further performance enhancements, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 stands poised to challenge the Apple A18 Pro. Furthermore, with extensive optimization of the chip by various phone manufacturers, robust cooling technology, and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4's support for GPU frame insertion, it possesses the necessary credentials to contend with the Apple A18 Pro.

The Dimensity 9400 processor is equally impressive, reportedly achieving a single-core performance of 2700 and a multi-core performance of 9800. This chip employs the Cortex-X925 super-large core, delivering a 36% performance boost compared to the previous generation Cortex-X4, along with a dedicated 3MB L2 cache, resulting in a 41% enhancement in AI task performance. Equipped with the new ImmortalisG925 graphics processing unit, the Dimensity 9400 processor also possesses the capability to compete with the A18 processor.

Based on current benchmark data, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 and Dimensity 9400 processors indeed stand neck-and-neck with the A18 processor in terms of performance, even surpassing it in some areas. This signals an increasingly intense competition among mobile phone processors in the future.

However, it's crucial to recognize that processor benchmarks don't necessarily represent the ultimate user experience. Benchmark scores for the Apple A18 Pro have also been released. The iPhone 16 model with the model number iPhone17,2 has achieved a single-core score of 3409 and a multi-core score of 8492 on Geekbench 6, indicating a performance that isn't particularly aggressive. This could be attributed to Apple's strategy of consistently maintaining a leading edge in performance.

In conclusion, based solely on performance, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 and Dimensity 9400 processors don't face significant pressure in challenging the Apple A18 Pro. This also reflects the gradual weakening of Apple's performance advantage in the smartphone market.

For consumers, the intense competition among chips is undoubtedly positive news, as it fosters a more competitive market leading to improved user experiences. Whether Snapdragon and MediaTek can ultimately "go head-to-head" with Apple's iPhone remains to be seen. Let's wait and watch.