A16 Bionic vs Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1: Apple Is Still the SoC King

Earlier final yr, we had in contrast the A15 Bionic towards Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and Exynos 2100 to search out one of the best smartphone chipset. And it turned abundantly clear that Apple is on the prime of its recreation, whereas chipset makers within the Android world, specifically Qualcomm, Samsung, and MediaTek, are struggling to catch as much as Apple’s A-series chips. And now that Apple has introduced its new A16 Bionic chip with the iPhone 14 Professional sequence, right here’s an in depth comparability between the A16 Bionic and Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. From CPU to GPU, ISP and Modem, we’ve analyzed all elements of each the chipsets. To seek out which one wins within the battle between A16 Bionic vs Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, let’s soar to the comparability.

A16 Bionic vs Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 Comparability (2022)

On this article, we’ve analyzed the efficiency distinction and capabilities of A16 Bionic and Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 by way of CPU, GPU, 5G modem, AI and ML, and extra. So let’s dive proper in.

A16 Bionic vs Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1: Specs

Earlier than we talk about A16 Bionic and Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 intimately, let’s undergo the specs comparability of each the chipsets. You could find all of the specs of A16 Bionic and SD 8+ Gen 1 under:

A16 Bionic vs Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1: CPU

On this comparability between Apple’s A16 Bionic and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, let’s weigh the CPU first. First off, the A16 Bionic includes a 6-core CPU consisting of almost 16 billion transistors, one thing that’s remarkable in cell chipsets. It’s constructed on a 4nm fabrication course of, which is definitely from TSMC’s foundry versus Samsung’s. Furthermore, the CPU on the A16 Bionic chip takes the normal route and packs in 2 high-performance cores and 4 high-efficiency cores, similar to the current A-series chips from Apple.

If we discuss concerning the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, nicely, it features a whole of 8 cores, having one highly effective Cortex-X2 core clocked at 3.2GHz, three Cortex-A710 cores clocked at 2.5GHz and 4 Cortex-A510 environment friendly cores clocked at 1.8GHz. And similar to the A16 Bionic, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 can be developed on TSMC’s 4nm course of node.

Apple didn’t put any figures on the desk however confirmed a chart evaluating the CPU efficiency of the A16 Bionic towards its three-year-old A13 Bionic chip and the closest competitor of 2022, probably referring to Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. From the chart, you’ll be able to gauge that the CPU on the A16 Bionic is sort of 25-30% quicker than the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. Do observe that this headway is by way of single-core efficiency. In a multi-core state of affairs, the distinction ought to scale back to 10 to fifteen% when in comparison with SD 8+ Gen 1.

As well as, Apple mentioned that its effectivity cores devour one-third the facility of the competitors, probably evaluating to the brand new Cortex-A510 core within the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. Apple additionally mentioned that the efficiency cores on the A16 Bionic use 20% much less energy than A15 Bionic.

As emphasised by Apple in the course of the keynote, it’s specializing in energy effectivity with the A16 Bionic chip. Regardless of that, the A16 Bionic has a efficiency lead of round 30% over the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, and we don’t see the hole closing anytime within the close to future.

A16 Bionic vs Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1: GPU

On the GPU aspect of issues, Apple is sticking with its 5-core GPU design, nevertheless it has enhanced the reminiscence bandwidth by 50%. It signifies that the A16 Bionic can easily deal with graphics-intensive titles with out breaking any sweat. Other than that, it has additionally included a brand new show engine to drive the always-on show on the iPhone 14 Professional sequence.

Alternatively, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 comes with a brand new Adreno 730 GPU, which helps Snapdragon Elite Gaming, volumetric rendering, HDR gaming, and extra. It additionally features a devoted Body Movement Engine for sustained graphics efficiency even at the next refresh fee.

Having mentioned that, as per our previous-gen comparability, the 5-core GPU on the A15 Bionic was 50% quicker than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. And with A16 Bionic’s up to date GPU, the margin stays virtually the identical. Within the GPU division, I’d say, the A16 Bionic is miles forward of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1.

A16 Bionic vs Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1: Geekbench Rating

A brand new mannequin named “iPhone15,3” has surfaced on Geekbench, which refers back to the iPhone 14 Professional, and packs the brand new A16 Bionic SoC. In keeping with our estimate, the CPU on the A16 Bionic scores 1879 within the Geekbench single-core check and 4664 within the multi-core check. Compared, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 scored 1316 within the single-core check and 4199 within the multi-core check.

As you’ll be able to infer, by way of single-core efficiency soar, the distinction in CPU efficiency between A16 Bionic and Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is near 29.9%, and in multi-threaded duties, the distinction comes all the way down to 9.9%. So the A16 Bionic once more leads the way in which with its mighty high-performant core whereas the Cortex-X2 nonetheless struggles to prime the A16 Bionic.

It’s necessary to notice that compared to final yr’s A15 Bionic, the A16 Bionic has solely seen a marginal enchancment. It has seen a single-core enchancment of seven% and virtually no distinction in multi-core efficiency. You possibly can verify the chart above to grasp Apple’s SoC enchancment over the previous few years compared to Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1.

A16 Bionic vs Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1: ISP

As we all know, the iPhone 14 Professional sequence comes with a brand new quad-pixel sensor, and to energy it, Apple has designed a brand new and superior Picture Sign Processor. The ISP on the A16 Bionic can carry out 4 trillion operations per picture, which is spectacular. The brand new ISP offers extra flexibility to all of the cameras, together with the brand new 48MP main sensor on the iPhone 14 Professional and 14 Professional Max for quicker computational images.

Including to that, we get the brand new Photonic engine, which helps in Deep Fusion for producing photographs with nice readability, colours, shadows, and highlights. Apple has additionally added an Motion Mode that makes use of the superior ISP for even higher stabilization whereas taking pictures working topics. To not point out, you’ll be able to shoot ProRes and Dolby Imaginative and prescient HDR movies as nicely.

Transferring to the ISP on the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, it’s pretty highly effective and comes with a large set of options (see the diagram connected above). With its 18-bit triple ISP structure, it might probably seize 3.2 gigapixels per second. The ISP on the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset can even shoot 8K HDR movies and seize a 64MP picture with none shutter lag.

Amongst different issues, Qualcomm’s flagship chipset helps staggered HDR, which has similarities to Apple’s Deep Fusion, multi-frame seize, triple publicity to scale back noise, and extra. So yeah, general, each the ISPs are loads highly effective, and it is dependent upon telephone producers to make the most of the {hardware} capabilities and provide one of the best digital camera expertise.

A16 Bionic vs Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1: AI and ML

Apple has developed a brand new neural engine for the A16 Bionic that may carry out 17 trillion operations per second. The up to date neural engine has a complete of 16 cores, which helps in computational images. It may possibly do pixel-by-pixel evaluation of photographs to create detailed and vibrant imagery.

On this division, Qualcomm defeats Apple by an enormous margin. The Seventh-gen AI Engine on Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 can carry out a large 27 trillion operations per second. Its AI engine additionally gives higher efficiency per watt, which ought to lead to higher battery life. As well as, it packs the Third-gen Sensing Hub for executing low-powered AI duties with out affecting the battery life.

A16 Bionic vs Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1: 5G and Connectivity

Apple has been engaged on its in-house modem for a while now, nevertheless it appears the corporate isn’t able to launch the built-in modem simply but. In all probability, Apple is utilizing Qualcomm’s 5G modem on the A16 Bionic. The 5G modem on the iPhone 14 Professional and the 14 Professional Max helps each sub-6GHz and mmWave frequency bands, nevertheless it’s solely obtainable within the US and Puerto Rico as of now. As for the remainder of the areas, it has assist for nearly all of the important sub-6GHz bands. Apart from that, the A16 Bionic has assist for Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3.

As Qualcomm is without doubt one of the prime leaders in wi-fi know-how, after all, it brings top-end options and capabilities to its flagship chipsets. The built-in X65 5G modem on the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 helps each mmWave and sub-6GHz bands, however the availability is dependent upon the telephone producer. You possibly can learn to verify 5G bands supported in your telephone from our linked tutorial. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 has additionally assist for Wi-Fi 6, 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 and LE (Low Power).

A16 Bionic vs Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1: Greatest Cell Chipset?

In order that rounds up our comparability between A16 Bionic and Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. With the A16 Bionic, Apple has targeted on bettering energy effectivity to supply a full-day battery life this yr. In that sense, the efficiency distinction over its predecessor A15 Bionic isn’t big. Regardless of that, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 has not been capable of catch up both within the CPU or GPU division.

Now, we’re ready for the Qualcomm-Nuvia acquisition to convey multi-fold enhancements to flagship Snapdragon chipsets. However now that ARM has sued Qualcomm over breach of license agreements, it appears the much-touted features might be delayed even additional. Anyway, that’s all from us on this article. If you wish to study from the comparability between Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, head over to our linked article. And in case you have any questions, tell us within the remark part under.