Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs Apple A17 Pro - A Clash of True Heavyweights
In a true battle of the heavyweights between the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs the Apple A17 Pro, can Qualcomm prove that the Snapdragon 8 series SoCs have come of age, or will they keep playing 2nd fiddle to Apple?
Qualcomm has responded to the competition with the unveiling of its highly anticipated Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. Yet, the pivotal question remains: how does this System-on-Chip (SoC) measure up against Apple's flagship offering? Allow me to present the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs. Apple A17 Pro.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 made its debut in October 2023, earning its place in the category of flagship SoCs. Historically, Qualcomm's SoCs have always been favored by numerous smartphone manufacturers, and this SoC is expected to follow suit. Anticipated flagship devices like the Xiaomi 14 and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra are likely candidates to use this SoC.
In the opposing corner, we have the Apple A17 Pro, the pinnacle of Apple's SoC technology. It boasts the title of the world's fastest SoC, delivering a clock speed of 3.78GHz, and serves as the powerhouse behind Apple's iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max.
With the stage set, let us jump into the comprehensive comparison between the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and the Apple A17 Pro.
>>See: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs Apple A17 Pro - Full Specs comparison
Performance Comparison: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs. A17 Pro
When comparing the performance of Apple's processors to those of Android, the task can be challenging due to their distinct CPU architectures and operating systems. Benchmarks come to the rescue, providing a common ground for assessment.
On Geekbench 6, the A17 Pro achieves a single-core score of 2931 and a multi-core score of 7278. In contrast, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 attains a slightly lower single-core score of 2319 but outshines the A17 Pro with a higher multi-core score of 7506. Transitioning to AnTutu 10, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers an overall score of 1,986,145, surpassing the A17 Pro's score of 1,563,188.
Evidently, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 boasts the advantage in these benchmark scores, albeit marginally. In real-world scenarios, the difference in performance may not be significantly pronounced. However, these results hold substantial significance as Android SoCs have made remarkable progress over the past decade, narrowing the performance gap.
Gaming Performance
The gaming realm immediately tilts in favor of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, courtesy of its superior GPU, the Adreno 750. This assertion is substantiated by benchmark results.
In the 3DMark WildLife Extreme test, the Adreno 750 secures a score of approximately 5,800, while the Apple GPU (6-core) achieves a score of around 4,200. Further benchmark assessments in 3DMark Ray Tracing and Stress tests affirm the Adreno 750's superiority. The advantage in gaming performance is evident.
RAM and Storage
In the RAM domain, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 benefits from superior and faster LPDDR5X RAM, operating at 4266MHz. In contrast, the Apple A17 Pro incorporates slightly older LPDDR5 RAM, with a clock speed of 3200MHz. It's important to note that iPhones powered by the A17 Pro are finely optimized to maximize performance with this marginally slower RAM, minimizing any practical disparities.
Shifting our focus to storage, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is equipped to support UFS 4.0 storage technology, enhancing data transfer rates and overall efficiency. Conversely, the A17 Pro adheres to Apple's tradition by accommodating NVMe storage, known for its efficiency, although it differs from UFS 4.0.
Camera and Video
While not confirmed, we can make a preliminary estimation that the A17 Pro likely supports camera resolutions of up to 48MP. However, this pales in comparison to the remarkable 200MP support offered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
Regarding video recording capabilities, the A17 Pro excels in capturing and playing back video content at resolutions up to 4K HDR, maintaining a smooth 60fps frame rate. In contrast, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 takes the lead by enabling the capture of 8K video content, albeit at a frame rate of 30fps. It's worth noting that Android SoCs have made substantial progress in photography, yet they still face challenges in surpassing Apple's proficiency in video capture and playback.
Connectivity
In the domain of connectivity, both SoCs demonstrate compatibility with network generations spanning from 2G to 5G, ensuring seamless connectivity across a wide spectrum of mobile networks. Additionally, both SoCs incorporate Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring efficient wireless communication capabilities. Distinctions arise in their Wi-Fi features, with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 elevating the standard by offering support for advanced Wi-Fi 7, accompanied by faster upload and download speeds, thereby enhancing overall connectivity. On the other hand, the A17 Pro counters this with the introduction of satellite connectivity, specifically designed for emergency SOS applications.
Battery Life
In terms of battery life, heat management, and overall energy efficiency, the A17 Pro emerges as the superior choice. This distinction is attributed to its cutting-edge 3nm TSMC manufacturing process, which facilitates impressive energy efficiency and extends battery life. In contrast, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 relies on an older 4nm TSMC process, which, while efficient, lags behind the A17 Pro in terms of power optimization.
Conclusion
In this comparison of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and the Apple A17 Pro, we've observed an intriguing duel between two technological giants. Each SoC showcases unique strengths and advantages that cater to distinct user preferences.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 impresses with its robust performance metrics, outperforming the A17 Pro in certain benchmarks. Furthermore, it excels in the gaming department, boasting an exceptional GPU. Its support for high-resolution cameras and 8K video recording opens up creative possibilities for users.
On the other hand, the A17 Pro showcases Apple's mastery in energy efficiency and battery life, thanks to its cutting-edge 3nm manufacturing process. Its optimized integration of hardware and software ensures seamless performance. The A17 Pro's advanced video capture capabilities and satellite connectivity for emergencies contribute to its well-rounded package.
Ultimately, the choice between these SoCs depends on individual priorities and brand preferences. Android enthusiasts seeking top-tier performance and camera capabilities may lean towards the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Apple aficionados valuing energy efficiency and seamless integration may find the A17 Pro to be their ideal choice.