The A18 Pro Vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 piques the interest of a lot of people thinking of upgrading smartphones in 2025. Earlier, we had compared some premium flagship chips. So it only makes sense not to miss out on this one. As we know, one belongs to the Android ecosystem, and the other is Apple’s best chip on the market right now. So, keeping the platforms aside, how do these processors really perform in daily life?
The A18 Pro drives Apple’s high-end iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 powers many flagship Android devices from 2023. Some of them are Samsung Galaxy S23 series, OnePlus 11, Xiaomi 13 and many more! Let’s get down and see what sets them apart from each other and in general.
Also read: Dimensity 9300 Vs Dimensity 9400: Which MediaTek Processor Is Worth It?
A18 Pro Vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: Basic Specifications To Know!
Before we hop into the performance factors, let’s get an overview of the basic specifications:
| Feature | Apple A18 Pro | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing Process | 3nm (TSMC N3E) | 4nm (TSMC) |
| CPU Configuration | 6-core (2 performance cores @ 4.04 GHz, 4 efficiency cores @ ~2.2 GHz) | 8-core (1 Cortex-X3 @ 3.2 GHz, 4 Cortex-A715 @ 2.8 GHz, 3 Cortex-A510 @ 2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | 6-core Apple GPU (1.45 GHz, supports ray tracing) | Adreno 740 (680 MHz, supports ray tracing) |
| Neural Engine/NPU | 16-core Neural Engine (35 TOPS) | Hexagon NPU (unspecified TOPS) |
| Memory Support | LPDDR5X | LPDDR5X |
| Architecture | ARMv9.2-A (SME support) | ARMv8-A |
| Modem | Snapdragon X75 5G (integrated) | Snapdragon X70 5G (integrated) |
| Wi-Fi/Bluetooth | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 |
Also read: Best Processor For Mobile Ranking Top 100 List!
Verdict from the Specs Table:
Which processor has more power and efficiency?
As you can see, the A18 Pro holds the advanced 3nm core technology (smaller core, better efficiency). On the other hand, we have the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s 4nm processor. This makes the power efficiency offered by A18 pro is way ahead. Only if we had the Snapdragon 8 elit here, the competition would have been head on.
Which one in A18 Pro Vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is better in multi-tasking?
When multi-tasking capabilities are compared, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 challenges A18 Pro with 8-core setup with a tri-cluster design over A18 Pro’s 6-core CPU.
Which chip give you better graphics?
Both chips (processors) can handle special lighting effects in games and videos. It happens through ray tracing, which both of them have. Things like reflections and shadows look more realistic through this feature.
But the A18 Pro GPU runs faster (1.45 GHz compared to 680 MHz). This higher speed could mean smoother and better-looking graphics. It is a desired feature in games or apps with lots of visual effects.
Overall, both are good at graphics, but the A18 Pro might look and feel better because it’s faster.
Which of the chips can give you better AI efficiency?
The AI performance is determined by the Neural engine make or NPU make up of the device. The A18 Pro’s 16-core Neural Engine delivers 35 trillion operations per second (TOPS). So, it steh best one for on-device AI tasks. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s Hexagon NPU is capable but lacks a specified TOPS figure. This can affect the AI performance causing some lags or inaccuracy.
Also read: Mediatek Dimensity 9300 Vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: Performance, Gaming, AI And More!
A18 Pro Vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: Benchmarks Busted!
Aside from the specs that speak about their performances, there are tests to confirm the same. These tests or benchmarks provide a standardised way to compare raw performance. in this table, explore the key benchmark results for the A18 Pro and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, based on available data from sources like Geekbench, AnTuTu, and 3DMark.
| Benchmark | Apple A18 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 Single-Core | ~3,358 | ~2,000 | A18 Pro leads by ~68% in single-core tasks, crucial for app responsiveness. |
| Geekbench 6 Multi-Core | ~8,184 | ~5,400 | A18 Pro ahead by ~51%, better for multi-tasking and heavy workloads. |
| AnTuTu 10 Overall | ~1,816,016 | ~1,500,000 | A18 Pro scores higher, but cross-platform comparisons are less reliable. |
| 3DMark Wild Life Extreme | ~4,410 | ~3,800 | A18 Pro has better sustained GPU performance for gaming. |
| Geekbench AI (FP16) | ~2x faster | Baseline | A18 Pro’s Neural Engine excels in AI tasks like image processing. |
Also read: Samsung Exynos 1380 Vs Snapdragon 695: Which One Should You Choose In 2025?
Verdict from the Benchmark Table:
Which chip offers better heat management?
The A18 Pro also shows better stability (78.8 per cent in 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Stress Test) and thermal management. This means the device won’t generate extreme heat during long sessions.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 having the Adreno 740 GPU has stability is lower (59 per cent), indicating thermal throttling under heavy loads. Devices like the RedMagic 8 Pro are optimised for gaming. So, they perform better than others like the Galaxy S23 Ultra, which suffers from poor cooling due to the S-Pen design.
Where Do the Chips Stand In Single-core and Multicore CPU Performance?
The A18 Pro dominates in both single-core and multi-core Geekbench tests, thanks to its ARMv9.2-A architecture and SME (Scalable Matrix Extension) support. It is able to boost performance in specific workloads like AI and machine learning.
Also read: Best Phones With 1M+ AnTuTu Score Under 25000!
A18 Pro Vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: Which Is The Gaming Beast?
A18 Pro has excellent gaming performance supported by the powerful 6-core GPU with a 1.45 GHz clock speed and hardware-accelerated ray tracing. When iPhone 16 Pro Max (A18 Pro) performance is tested on Genshin Impact at max settings, it maintained a 63 FPS. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 devices like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra have only 40 FPS.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is also not far behind when it comes to gaming experience. However it may struggle to maintain a sustained performance on non-gaming optimised devices (like Galaxy S23 Ultra).
For gamers, the A18 Pro offers a smoother and more consistent experience, especially in graphically demanding games like Resident Evil 4 or Genshin Impact.
AI Capabilities
In A18 Pro Vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, the one thing that A18 Pro wins with huge points is it’s AI capabilities. A18 Pro has a super powerful 16-core NPU. It helps with:
- Real-time photo and video effects (like cinematic slow motion in 4K)
- Smarter camera features (like Photographic Styles)
- Augmented Reality (AR) apps
- Voice commands and on-device AI (without needing the internet)
Because of this, tasks like editing videos, using AR apps, or smart photo filters will run faster and smoother.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 also has a part for AI (called Hexagon NPU), but it is not so advanced. One can indulge in:
- Photo enhancement
- Voice recognition
- Google AI features on some Android phones
Again, it is not as fast or powerful as the A18 Pro’s Neural Engine, so AI-heavy tasks might take a bit longer.
Also read: Best MediaTek Processors Ranked: From Flagship To Budget!
Battery Efficiency
Apple is not the best competitor in terms of battery efficiency but it did a good job with the A18 Pro chip. The 3nm process and optimised iOS power management result in excellent battery efficiency. It is efficient, and consumes less power than Snapdragon’s Cortex-A510 cores. In fact, the iPhone 16 Pro Max outperforms the Galaxy S23 Ultra in battery life during high-performance tasks.
For Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, the battery efficiency is a bit difficult to judge as the devices vary so much. Hence, the battery life varies too. For example, the Galaxy S23 Ultra has good battery life but struggles in high-performance scenarios due to thermal issues. While devices like the OnePlus 11 with better cooling fare better. But the 4nm process is supposedly less efficient.
Overall, the A18 Pro devices generally offer better battery life during intensive tasks like gaming or video editing. While Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 devices’ efficiency depends heavily on the phone’s cooling and software optimisation.
Cost Effectiveness
As you know, the A18 pro chip is housed by the premium flagship Apple devices like the Apple iPhone 16 Pro and Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max. So the price range of smartphones having this chip lies somewhere around Rs. 1,19,900 to Rs. 1,69,900.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 phones span a wider range. You can get from mid-to-high-end flagships at Rs. 39,990 to Rs. 1,49,999, offering more affordable options compared to A18 Pro devices, especially with discounts on 2023 models. Some of them are:
- Samsung Galaxy S23 series: Rs. 49,999 to Rs. 1,49,999
- OnePlus 11: Rs 39,990
- Xiaomi 13 Pro: Rs. 64,990
Also read: Snapdragon Processors List: Specs, Benchmarks, Best Picks!
In A Nutshell
If you are looking for a device that ha advanced AI capabilities that work smooth like butter and provide more accuracy, plus gaming experience is a treat, device with A18 Pro is for you. Plus, it is clearly more powerful and efficient than Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. However, remember that all those good things come with a premium price.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is still a strong contender, particularly in Android devices optimised for gaming (e.g., RedMagic 8 Pro). Or those with robust cooling systems. Its flexibility across various Android flagships makes it appealing for users who prefer customisation and variety. The budget range is also wide so you can probably get a device in your set budget.
I personally love the fact that people are now more aware and consciously buy smartphones, knowing what’s inside and how long they will last. What do you think about these chips? Who wins the battle in A18 Pro Vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, according to you? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Also read: MediaTek Dimensity 9500 Processor: Features Revealed Before Launch
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