If you are looking for the ultimate comparison of the A18 Pro Vs A17 Pro, this is your ultimate guide. Apple always pushes the limit with each upgrade. The latest in this lineup is the A18 Pro in the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. It was launched in September 2024 during the iPhone launch event. A17 Pro is the chip in the iPhone 15 Pro.
It was launched in September 2023. But Apple doesn’t go out of date easily. One chip or device can stay relevant for many years to come. Both chipsets are built using 3nm technology.
In this article, we will compare the A18 Pro Vs A17 Pro. We will check out the manufacturing process, performance, gaming, benchmarks, AI, and more. So, let’s get started:
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A18 Pro vs. A17 Pro: Manufacturing, CPU, GPU, Neural Engine!
TSMC makes both the A18 Pro and A17 Pro using a 3nm process. However, the A18 Pro uses a more advanced version called N3E. This new version is more efficient, stable, and uses less power. It also allows more transistors to fit into a smaller space. This makes the A18 Pro faster and more energy-efficient.
| Specification | A18 Pro | A17 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Architecture | 2x 4.05 GHz – Everest4x 2.42 GHz – Sawtooth | 2x 3.78 GHz – Everest4x 2.11 GHz – Sawtooth |
| Cores | 6 | 6 |
| Frequency (Max) | 4050 MHz | 3780 MHz |
| Instruction Set | ARMv9.2-A | ARMv8.6-A |
| L1 Cache | — | 256 KB |
| L2 Cache | 16 MB | 16 MB |
| Process Node | 3 nm | 3 nm |
| Transistor Count | — | 19 billion |
| TDP (Sustained Power Limit) | 10 W | 8 W |
| Manufacturing | TSMC | TSMC |
CPU – A18 Pro Vs A17 Pro
Both chips have six cores: 2 performance and four efficiency cores. The A18 Pro has faster cores.
- The performance cores are running at 4.04 GHz (up from 3.78 GHz in the A17 Pro).
- Efficiency cores at 2.3 GHz (compared to 2.11 GHz in the A17 Pro). The A18 Pro also uses a newer design called Armv9.2. It includes special units for AI tasks. This makes it better at handling AI and machine learning. The A17 Pro lacks these units. As a result, the A18 Pro is 15% faster and uses 20% less power than the A17 Pro.
GPU – A18 Pro Vs A17 Pro
The A18 Pro has a Six-core GPU that is 20% faster than the A17 Pro’s. It also includes hardware that makes ray tracing twice as fast. The Ray Tracing makes lighting and reflections in games look more realistic. The A18 Pro has a better thermal design. This design helps it run cooler and maintain high performance for longer periods.
Neural Engine and AI – A18 Pro Vs A17 Pro
Both chips have a 16-core Neural Engine to perform 35 trillion operations per second. The A18 Pro’s Neural Engine is faster, thanks to 17% faster memory. This helps the A18 Pro handle AI tasks. You can handle tasks like creating custom emojis, real-time translation, and advanced photo editing.
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What Has Improved In The Apple A18 Pro Chip?
Let’s check out all the features that Apple has improved in their latest chipset:
Efficiency and Battery Life
The A18 Pro uses 20% less power than the A17 Pro while performing similarly. If you combine it with more efficient components, it leads to longer battery life. The iPhone 16 Pro also comes with slightly larger batteries. The A18 Pro supports faster charging. This is with both wired and through MagSafe. It makes it a more practical option for users who need quick charging.
Media Processing
The A18 Pro has a new image signal processor (ISP). It helps handle larger image files and process them faster. This allows 4K video recording at 120 frames per second (fps). You also get the Dolby Vision, something the A17 Pro can’t do (it’s limited to 4K at 60fps). The A18 Pro also improves low-light photos for images sharper and more vibrant.
Thermal Management
The A18 Pro has a better cooling system. This keeps it from overheating during heavy use, such as gaming or demanding apps. This allows it to maintain peak performance for longer. The A17 Pro is more likely to slow down under heavy use because its thermal system isn’t as advanced.
Connectivity
The A18 Pro uses a new Qualcomm Snapdragon X75 5G modem. It offers the same top speeds as the A17 Pro’s modem. To be honest, it is more efficient and handles connections better. The A18 Pro also supports Wi-Fi 7 for faster and more stable connections. The A18 Pro has USB 3.x for faster data transfers, while the A17 Pro only has USB 2.0.
AI and Apple Intelligence
Apple has made AI a bigger focus with the A18 Pro. The Neural Engine helps run AI tasks more smoothly. This includes smarter Siri, custom emoji creation, and photo editing. The A18 Pro also runs real-time apps. You can see augmented reality (AR) and language translation. It is much better due to faster processing. The A17 Pro supports AI. But, its older design and slower memory make it less efficient for these tasks.
Benchmark Performance: A18 Pro Vs A17 Pro
Now, let’s check out the benchmark performance of the A18 Pro vs. A17 Pro. With the help of benchmarks, we can get an idea of the performance measures. According to various tests, A18 Pro is far better than the A17 Pro chip. But let’s explore benchmark results from sources like Geekbench, AnTuTu, and 3DMark. Let’s check out:
AnTuTu 10 Benchmark Results
AnTuTu Score is collected after analysing a lot of things. These include GPU, CPU, performance, and others. Let’s check out the scores:
| Category | A18 Pro | A17 Pro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | 445,720 | 391,644 | +13.8% |
| GPU | 677,979 | 537,003 | +26.2% |
| Memory | 294,478 | 261,755 | +12.5% |
| UX | 362,239 | 343,092 | +5.6% |
| Total Score | 1,780,416 | 1,533,780 | +16% |
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GeekBench 6: Single / Multi-Core
| Category | A18 Pro | A17 Pro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-Core Score | 3,582 | 2,953 | +21% |
| Multi-Core Score | 9,089 | 7,441 | +22% |
The A18 Pro’s GPU is 18% faster than the A17 Pro in Geekbench 6 Metal tests. It comes with a score of 32,997. In 3DMark’s Solar Bay test, the A18 Pro is 22% faster at ray tracing. It also beats the A17 Pro 13% in GFXBench with 72 FPS at 1440p.
| Test | Apple A18 Pro | Apple A17 Pro | Improvement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 Metal Score | 32,997 | 28,022 | +18% | A18 Pro has better graphics performance |
| 3DMark Solar Bay (Ray Tracing) | 22% faster | – | +22% | A18 Pro is better at realistic lighting in games |
| GFXBench Aztec Ruins (FPS at 1440p) | 72 FPS | 64 FPS | +13% | A18 Pro runs games smoother with more frames |
| Power Use | 11.5W | 9.72W | – | A18 Pro uses more power but performs better |
These upgrades make the A18 Pro better for gaming. It suits games like Assassin’s Creed: Mirage and Resident Evil 4. This is because you get smoother gameplay and better visuals.
AI Benchmarks
In Geekbench AI 1.1, the A18 Pro scores 45,000, which is 50% faster than the A17 Pro’s 30,000. Both have the same AI power (35 TOPS). But, the A18 Pro has fast memory and special units.
| Benchmark | A18 Pro | A17 Pro | Improvement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geekbench AI 1.1 Score (INT8) | 45,000 | 30,000 | +50% | A18 Pro is 50% faster in AI tasks |
| TOPS (AI Processing Power) | 35 TOPS | 35 TOPS | Same | Both chips have the same AI power |
| Performance Boost | Faster memory & SME units | Slower memory | +50% | A18 Pro handles AI tasks quicker and smoother |
These features make it good at tasks like creating custom emojis and editing photos.
Overall…
In AnTuTu 10 tests, the A18 Pro scores 1,797,197, which is 28% better than the A17 Pro’s score of 1,400,970. The A18 Pro has a faster RAM and improved design. This makes the iPhone 16 Pro feel faster and more responsive during everyday use.
A18 Pro Vs A17 Pro: Is It Worth Upgrading In 2025?
A18 Pro chip is built on TSMC’s second-generation 3nm N3E process. It has improved yield and efficiency as the A17 Pro’s N3B process. You are assured to get sustained performance during heavy gaming and video editing. Let’s check out the details:
| Feature | A18 Pro | A17 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Performance | 15-18% faster, 20% less power consumption | Baseline CPU performance |
| GPU Performance | 20% faster, 2x faster ray tracing, better thermal management | Baseline GPU performance |
| AI Performance | 50% better (Geekbench AI) with SME units and faster memory | Baseline AI performance |
| Media Processing | Supports 4K 120fps video with Dolby Vision | Supports 4K 60fps video |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7, Snapdragon X75 modem, USB 3.x support | Wi-Fi 6E, Snapdragon X70 modem, USB 2.0 support |
| Efficiency | Better battery life, faster charging | Less efficient, slower charging |
If you look at it this way, this is a significant upgrade over the A17 Pro. So, if you are into heavy tasks and that too for long hours, you can invest your money on the A18 Pro instead of the A17 Pro.
In A Nutshell
The A18 Pro in the iPhone 16 Pro is a great upgrade for gamers, content creators, and AI features. It offers better gaming with improved graphics. You get better ray tracing and faster video processing for creators. The A18 Pro also supports Apple’s growing AI features.
But, the A17 Pro is still a strong chip and can handle most tasks. This includes the Apple Intelligence. If you already have an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max, the upgrade might not feel huge. It will only make sense if you really care about heavy gaming, video editing, or AI. But if you upgrade from an older model like the iPhone 14 Pro or earlier, the A18 Pro’s performance will be worth it.
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