Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 vs Apple A16 Bionic: It’s a Close Call

Now that Qualcomm has unveiled its top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 cellular platform, it’s time to pit the brand new flagship Android chipset in opposition to the reigning king, the Apple A16 Bionic. So on this detailed article, we examine Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 vs Apple A16 Bionic to search out out the distinction in CPU and GPU efficiency. As well as, we examine the benchmark scores of Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 vs A16 Bionic, and we additionally analyze the ISP, neural engine, modem, wi-fi connectivity, and so on. On that be aware, let’s go forward and examine whether or not this time Qualcomm has managed to drag forward of Apple within the silicon recreation.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 vs Apple A16 Bionic (2022)

On this comparability between the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Apple A16 Bionic chipsets, we have now analyzed the CPU and GPU intimately. Together with that, we have now additionally mentioned the Geekbench rating, ISP, AI engine, 5G, wi-fi connectivity, and extra.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 vs A16 Bionic: Specs

Earlier than we clarify intimately, undergo this devoted specs sheet evaluating the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Apple A16 Bionic to get a tough thought about each chipsets.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 vs A16 Bionic: CPU

In our comparability between Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Apple A16 Bionic, let’s first speak in regards to the CPU. Each the cellular processors are constructed on TSMC’s 4nm course of node so there may be some similarity, at the least initially. Nevertheless, issues veer off from right here. Whereas Qualcomm makes use of an Octa-core setup, Apple has gone with a Hexa-core CPU design.

That stated, Qualcomm has barely modified the core configuration this time on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. To compete in opposition to and try and beat the likes of Apple, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 packs in a single highly effective Cortex-X3 core clocked at 3.2GHz, 2x Cortex-A715 cores clocked at 2.8GHz, 2x Cortex-A710 cores clocked at 2.8GHz, and 3x Cortex-A510 cores clocked at 2.0GHz. So, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 has embraced a brand new 1+4+3 structure, which is extra like a 1+(2+2)+3 CPU design.

However, the A16 Bionic from Apple packs 2x high-performance cores (Everest) clocked at 3.46GHz and 4x high-efficiency cores (Sawtooth) clocked at 2.02GHz. As it’s possible you’ll discover, the A16 Bionic’s Everest cores can go greater than Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s prime Cortex-X3 core and nearly touches 3.5GHz. That is the explanation Apple all the time tops the record relating to single-core duties. And because it packs two Everest cores, versus a single Cortex-X3 core on 8 Gen 2, it additionally stays forward in multi-threaded duties.

“Apple’s Everest cores function exceptionally effectively even at the next frequency whereas conserving the temperature in examine.”

If we speak in regards to the effectivity cores, Qualcomm has now come on par with Apple, each by way of efficiency and effectivity. By changing the growing older A55 core with the Cortex-A510 core, which is 35% quicker and 20% extra power-efficient, Qualcomm is heading in the right direction. So to place it merely, regardless of the 35% YoY efficiency bounce seen on Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, it’s nonetheless behind A16 Bionic within the CPU division, squarely as a result of Apple’s Everest cores function exceptionally effectively even at the next frequency whereas conserving thermals in examine.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 vs A16 Bionic: Geekbench Rating

After the CPU dialogue, let’s now check out the Geekbench scores of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and A16 Bionic. Only recently, Vivo X90 Professional+ (launching on November 22) appeared in a Geekbench itemizing, probably powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. It revealed to us how highly effective the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 might be, because it scored 1485 within the single-core check and 4739 within the multi-core check.

If we plot the scores on a graph, that is what we get. Alongside the 8 Gen 2 and A16 Bionic, I’ve additionally added Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, 8+ Gen 1, and A15 Bionic for a greater comparability. As you’ll be able to discover, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is nearer to final 12 months’s A15 Bionic in multi-threaded duties however nonetheless not there after we think about the single-core efficiency. And if we examine Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s rating with A16 Bionic, the distinction turns into much more obvious.

When stacked in opposition to A16 Bionic, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is at the least 25% behind in single-core efficiency and 13% behind in multi-core efficiency. Absolutely, with extra optimization, some gadget makers will be capable of draw extra efficiency out of the 8 Gen 2, however given the information we have now proper now, it looks like Qualcomm continues to be a technology behind Apple relating to uncooked CPU efficiency.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 vs A16 Bionic: GPU

Shifting to the GPU comparability between Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Apple A16 Bionic, effectively issues are wanting promising for Qualcomm this 12 months. The Adreno 740 GPU on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 may match A16 Bionic’s GPU efficiency each by way of efficiency and effectivity. Golden Reviewer on Twitter examined A16 Bionic’s GPU efficiency compared to the last-gen Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. The check concluded that A16 Bionic’s 5-core GPU is nearly 20% extra highly effective and 10% extra environment friendly than the Adreno 730 on the 8+ Gen 1.

With the most recent figures supplied by Qualcomm, the Adreno 740 GPU on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is 15% quicker and 10% extra environment friendly than the 8+Gen1. If we go by these figures, the GPU efficiency distinction between Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and A16 Bionic reduces to only 5%. And the Adreno 740 GPU comes throughout as a GPU that’s as power-efficient because the 5-core GPU on the A16 Bionic.

The explanation Qualcomm is ready to meet up with Apple within the GPU division is that the A16 Bionic solely noticed a marginal efficiency bounce of 5% over the A15 Bionic. And now that Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 comes with hardware-accelerated Ray Tracing help, many customers may change to Android for an intensive and visually-pleasing gaming expertise. To conclude, the GPU on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is wanting fairly highly effective and for the primary time, it’d dethrone Apple in the identical energy effectivity bracket.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 vs A16 Bionic: ISP

Qualcomm has all the time packed succesful ISPs on its flagship chipsets and the identical is true for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. It comes with an 18-bit triple ISP structure and may seize over 3.2 gigapixels per second. On prime of that, 8 Gen 2 telephones can even shoot 8K HDR movies, take simultaneous 36MP photographs with all three cameras with zero shutter lag, shoot as much as 200MP photographs, and extra.

As well as, Qualcomm has introduced one thing known as Cognitive ISP into the fray. It’s powered by AI to carry out semantic segmentation in actual time. It mainly makes use of AI to detect the scene together with face, sky, pores and skin tone, hair, garments, and facial options, and apply enhancements then and there. Qualcomm says this may dramatically enhance the top outcomes.

Apart from that, the brand new ISP on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 has acquired an replace to Bokeh Engine 2 for capturing higher cinematic movies. As an apart, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 additionally helps the AV1 codec, however A16 Bionic doesn’t.

Speaking in regards to the ISP on A16 Bionic, Apple designed a brand new picture sign processor to energy a bunch of digital camera options on the iPhone 14 Professional collection. First off, it could actually carry out 4 trillion operations per picture, which is an astounding quantity, to start with. Furthermore, the brand new ISP helps the 48MP sensor to reap the benefits of the additional pixels and create detailed imagery. Subsequent, there’s a new Photonic Engine that aids in creating photographs with higher readability, shadows, highlights, and vibrant colours.

To not point out, the ISP on the A16 Bionic can be utilized to stabilize footage whereas capturing in Motion Mode. Principally, each the ISPs are lots highly effective and include a large set of options. In the long run, it will depend on Android cellphone makers to make the most of the capabilities and create a software program stack on prime of the {hardware}. I’m positive Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi could be in one of the best place to reap the benefits of these digital camera options and provide stiff competitors to Apple’s iPhone.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 vs A16 Bionic: AI and ML

By way of AI and ML processing, Qualcomm has all the time been the chief, and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 brings much more sensible options. The AI engine on the 8 Gen 2 has been upgraded to a brand new structure and is powered by a brand new Hexagon processor. In comparison with the last-gen SoC, it’s 4.35 instances quicker and gives 60% higher efficiency per watt. The corporate additionally says that the AI unit on 8 Gen 2 delivers higher ends in pure language processing with multi-language translation.

On prime of that, the AI engine powers the Cognitive ISP function and helps new wake phrases. If we speak about A16 Bionic’s 16-core neural engine, it could actually carry out 17 trillion operations per second (TOPS). To place issues into perspective, the AI engine on the last-gen SD 8+ Gen 1 may already carry out 27 TOPS, so Apple’s neural engine is lagging behind Qualcomm by a margin. Nonetheless, Apple A16 Bionic’s neural engine helps in pixel-by-pixel evaluation of photographs to create detailed photographs and does a unbelievable job at computational pictures.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 vs A16 Bionic: 5G and Wi-fi Tech

Qualcomm is without doubt one of the leaders in wi-fi expertise, so it comes with one of the best connectivity system out of the 2. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 options the brand new Snapdragon X70 5G modem that may ship obtain speeds as much as 10Gbps. It’s additionally Qualcomm’s first modem to help two 5G SIMs directly.

Aside from that, the Snapdragon X70 5G modem has help for mmWave and sub-6GHz frequency bands in each SA and NSA modes. On the native connectivity entrance, you get Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 help. Furthermore, you get Bluetooth LE, aptX Lossless codec for CD-quality audio streaming, and NavIC help on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

Shifting to the A16 Bionic, effectively, Apple additionally makes use of Qualcomm’s modem, however it’s a technology older. A16 Bionic contains the Snapdragon X65 5G modem, which additionally has a theoretical peak obtain velocity of 10Gbps. It too helps mmWave and sub-6GHz bands. Apart from that, you’ve got built-in Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 help. General, by way of connectivity and help for brand spanking new requirements, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 will give you the most recent developments.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 vs Apple A16 Bionic: Chip King?

In order that rounds up our detailed comparability between the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 vs A16 Bionic. Besides within the CPU division, Qualcomm has managed to shut the hole significantly in all different facets. Most notably, Qualcomm has accomplished a unbelievable job at bettering energy effectivity within the GPU division on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. As for different classes, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 already leads the race. We’re excited to check each the chipsets side-by-side and see the distinction in real-world utilization. However what are your ideas? Tell us within the feedback part under. In the meantime, additionally head to our comparability between Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 to search out in-depth data on each processors.