Qualcomm recently unveiled its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, aiming to answer the competition in the world of mobile SoCs. The big question is how good is it when you compare it against Apple’s flagship processor. Let’s answer that question in this Apple A17 Pro Vs. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 comparison.

On one side, we have Apple’s Flagship, the Apple A17 Pro, which powers the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. With a clock speed of 3.78GHz, it currently holds the title of the fastest SoC globally.

Apple A17 Pro

In the other corner, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which was announced in October 2023, is Qualcomm’s current flagship SoC. Qualcomm has a strong reputation among smartphone manufacturers, and this SoC is expected to power devices like the Xiaomi 14 and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of this comparison.

Apple A17 Pro Vs. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

Performance

Comparing Apple and Android processors can be tricky due to their different architectures and operating systems. This is where benchmarks come to our rescue.

Geekbench 6 reveals that the A17 Pro scores 2931 in single-core performance and 7278 in multi-core. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 lags slightly in single-core performance with a score of 2319 but takes the lead in multi-core with 7506. On AnTuTu 10, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 scores an overall 1,986,145, outperforming the A17 Pro’s 1,563,188.

Gaming

In gaming, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 takes the lead, thanks to its superior Adreno 750 GPU. Benchmarks tell the story. In the 3DMark WildLife Extreme test, the Adreno 750 scores around 5,800, while the Apple GPU (6-core) scores around 4,200. The Adreno 750 also outperforms the Apple GPU in 3DMark Ray Tracing and Stress tests.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Gaming

RAM and Storage

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 features better and faster LPDDR5X RAM at 4266MHz. In contrast, the Apple A17 Pro incorporates older LPDDR5 RAM running at 3200MHz. It’s worth noting that iPhones powered by the A17 Pro are optimized to extract optimal performance from slightly slower RAM.

In terms of storage, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 supports UFS 4.0 technology, enhancing data transfer speeds and overall efficiency. On the other hand, the A17 Pro follows Apple’s convention by supporting NVMe storage, which, while highly efficient, differs from UFS 4.0.

Camera and Video

The A17 Pro supports up to 48MP camera resolution, but this falls significantly short of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s impressive 200MP support. When it comes to video, the A17 Pro can capture and play back content up to 4K HDR at a smooth 60fps. In contrast, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 shines by capturing up to 8K video content, albeit at 30fps. Android SoCs have made strides in photography, but Apple remains proficient in video capture and playback.

Connectivity

Both SoCs support networks from 2G to 5G and include Bluetooth 5.3 for efficient wireless communication. However, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 gains an advantage by supporting the advanced Wi-Fi 7 standard, offering faster upload and download speeds. The A17 Pro counters this with satellite connectivity, particularly for emergency SOS purposes.

Battery Life

The A17 Pro stands out in battery life, heat management, and energy efficiency. Its advanced 3nm TSMC manufacturing process provides impressive energy efficiency and extended battery life. In contrast, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is built on an older 4nm TSMC process, which, while efficient, lags behind the A17 Pro in power optimization.

Conclusion

In this battle between the Apple A17 Pro Vs. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, it’s clear that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has the upper hand in performance and gaming, with its Adreno 750 GPU and benchmark results confirms this. However, the A17 Pro shines in camera technology and battery efficiency, thanks to its 3nm TSMC process.

Both SoCs are packed with connectivity options. Overall, the choice between them will depend on specific priorities, whether it’s gaming prowess, camera capabilities, or power efficiency.

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