In this article, we’ll know all the details about Apple A18 Pro Vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The A18 Pro came out in September 2024 with the iPhone 16 Pro. It works really smartly with iOS 18 and iOS 26. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 came out a bit earlier in October 2023. We saw this chip in the S24 Ultra and OnePlus 12. It is pretty strong.
If you look at a glance, the A18 Pro is more latest as compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. But the Snapdragon is more gaming-focused and handles AI efficiently. Let’s check out all the details:
Also Read: Apple iPhone 17 Series Camera Comparison: Standard Vs Air Vs Pro Vs Pro Max!
Apple A18 Pro Vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Specs Compared
Both the Apple A18 Pro and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 are made for super high-end smartphones. Both these chips are flagships. Apple uses a 6-core setup, and Qualcomm’s chip has 8 cores. It means that Snapdragon can handle more tasks at once. Let’s check details:
| Feature | Apple A18 Pro | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Process Node | TSMC 3nm (N3E, second-gen) | TSMC 4nm (N4P) |
| CPU Cores | 6 cores: 2 performance @ 4.04 GHz + 4 efficiency @ 2.42 GHz | 8 cores: 1 Prime Cortex-X4 @ 3.3 GHz + 5 Perf Cortex-A720 @ 3.15/2.96 GHz + 2 Eff Cortex-A520 @ 2.27 GHz |
| GPU | 6-core Apple GPU (with ray tracing) | Adreno 750 (with ray tracing) |
| NPU/AI Engine | 16-core Neural Engine (35 TOPS) | Hexagon NPU (45 TOPS) |
| Memory Support | LPDDR5X, up to 8GB RAM, 120 GB/s bandwidth | LPDDR5X, up to 24GB RAM, 77 GB/s bandwidth |
| Cache | 16MB L2 + 24MB system-level L3 | 12MB L3 (no specified L2) |
| Modem | Integrated 5G (up to 10 Gbps) | Snapdragon X75 5G (up to 10 Gbps) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, USB 3.1 Gen 2 |
| Video Decode/Encode | Up to 8K 60fps decode, ProRes 4K 120fps | Up to 8K 30fps decode/encode |
| Die Size/Transistors | ~105 mm², 20 billion transistors | Not specified; ~15% more efficient than Gen 2 |
| Power Efficiency | 20% better than A17 Pro in CPU tasks | 20% better than Gen 2 overall |
Also Read: Apple iPhone 17 Air Leaks: Price, Design, Camera And More
CPU Performance: Which Chip Is Faster?
With Apple A18 Pro Chip, you can easily run apps. It is great if you want to run one thing at a time. In GeekBench 6, it scored about 3,400 for single-core. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 got 2,300 score. Apple A18 Pro is about 45% faster.
In Multi-core, the Apple A18 Pro scored around 8,500 and Snapdragon scored around 7,200.
Let’s check some more scored:
| Category | Apple A18 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| GeekBench Single Core | 3,400 | 2,300 |
| GeekBench Multi-Core | 8,500 | 7,200 |
| Real-World Power Test | Apple A18 Pro is 42% faster | Slower top core |
| Power Use (fast cores) | Uses only 8% more power | Less efficient |
| Power Use (slow cores) | Uses 30% less power | Uses more power |
| CPU Cores | 6 cores (2 big + 4 small) | 8 cores (1 very big + 5 big + 2 small) |
Snapdragon chip is made for long and heavy tasks. You can do video editing with 8 cores. Apple is more into power-saving as it uses about 30% less energy.
Gaming Performance: Which Chip Is Better For Gamers?
The Apple A18 Pro has a 6-core GPU. It’s 20% better than last year’s A17 Pro. It also has better ray tracing. Ray Tracing helps with lighting and shadows, so the graphics look more realistic.
| Feature | Apple A18 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| GPU | 6-core, better ray tracing | Adreno 750, supports UE5 |
| 3DMark Wild Life Extreme | ~55 FPS (smooth), ~63 FPS sustained | ~40 FPS (drops in long gaming) |
| GFXBench Aztec Ruins | ~73 FPS | ~94 FPS |
| AnTuTu Score | ~1.5 million | ~1.7 million |
| Best For | Smooth long gaming sessions | High peak graphics performance |
In 3DMark Wild Life Extreme, the A18 Pro gets around 55 FPS. You can surely get smooth gameplay here. Even after long gaming sessions, it only drops to about 63 FPS. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 falls to around 40 FPS. This means that it can be a bit laggy.
But Snapdragon’s Adreno 750 GPU is still very strong. In GFXBench Aztec Ruins, it hits 94 FPS, while the A18 Pro gets 73 FPS. That means it can be even faster at times. It also supports Unreal Engine 5. Your graphics are going to be more realistic and immersive with this one.
In the AnTuTu test, Snapdragon usually scores about 1.7 million points. It is way more if you compare it to A18 Pro’s 1.5 million.
Also Read: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Long-Term Review: The Ultimate Flagship Experience!
Which Handles AI Better?
It’s the age of AI. So, having a chip that can handle AI features is a big deal. Both the Apple A18 Pro Vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 can handle AI tasks. Let’s check details:
| Feature | Apple A18 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| AI Engine | 16-core Neural Engine (35 TOPS) | Hexagon NPU (45 TOPS) |
| FP32 AI Test Score | 4,582 (much higher) | 439 |
| Speed | 2x faster than Snapdragon in some AI tasks | Very fast, with special Sensing Hub |
| AI Uses | Smarter Siri, AI photo editing, image generation | AI image creation, chatbots, video enhancement |
| Compatibility | Optimised for Apple apps, great privacy | Supports many AI models, great for Android apps |
Battery Life and Efficiency
Let’s check out the battery details:
| Feature | Apple A18 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip Size | 3nm (more efficient) | 4nm (less efficient than Apple) |
| CPU Efficiency | 20% less power than A17 Pro | 20% better than Gen 2 |
| GPU Power Use | ~11.5W during gaming | ~13.7W during gaming |
| Heat Management | Stays cooler, less throttling | Can get hot under heavy load |
| Real-World Battery Life | Lasts longer in daily use (iPhone 16 Pro) | Good, but not as long as Apple |
In real-life use, the iPhone 16 Pro lasts longer than most Android phones. Overall, Apple’s chip runs cooler and more battery-friendly.
Apple A18 Pro vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: FAQs
Which chip is newer among Apple A18 Pro Vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3?
The Apple A18 Pro is newer. It came out in September 2024 with the iPhone 16 Pro. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 came earlier in October 2023.
Which chip is faster among Apple A18 Pro Vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3?
The A18 Pro is faster when doing one thing at a time. It’s about 45% faster in single-core speed.
Apple A18 Pro Vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: Which chip has more cores?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has 8 cores. The A18 Pro has 6 cores. So Snapdragon can do multitasking more.
Which chip is better for gaming: Apple A18 Pro Vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3?
A18 Pro is better for long gaming because it stays cool and smooth. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is better for high-speed gaming, but it can get hot after a while.
Apple A18 Pro Vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: Who wins in game tests?
In some tests, Snapdragon gets more FPS (frames per second). But A18 Pro is more stable and doesn’t slow down when playing for long.
Which chip is smarter with AI?
A18 Pro is good for things like smart Siri, AI photo edits, and keeping data private. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is good for making AI images, using chatbots.
Which one saves more battery?
A18 Pro saves more battery. It’s made with a newer chip (3nm). It uses less power and stays cooler.
Which phones use these chips?
A18 Pro is in the iPhone 16 Pro series. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is in phones like Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and OnePlus 12.
Which chip supports more RAM?
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 supports up to 24GB RAM. The A18 Pro supports up to 8GB. Snapdragon can handle more apps at once.
Apple A18 Pro Vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: Which one should I choose?
You can choose A18 Pro if you like iPhones and want long battery life. Choose Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 if you like Android phones and play lots of games.
In A Nutshell
The A18 Pro is built with 3nm process. It is better at saving battery and overheating. On the other hand, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 supports more RAM. This means it has great performance for Android phones. You can play high impact games, runs more apps at once, and more.
Let me know what you think about these two chips in the comment section below. I would love to hear your thoughts!
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