If you are into top-tier phones, you are likely torn between the two ecosystems: Android or iOS. In 2025, you get premium options in both ecosystems. So, at the heart of this decision now, there are two powerful chips. We are talking about Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Vs A18 Pro. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, powering many Android flagships, is the leading chip in the Android world. Apple’s A18 Pro (from the iPhone 16 Pro series) is the latest one by Apple, and it’s a beast! Which one is ideal for your needs and usage? Let’s find that out through the elaborate comparison and details in the guide.
Also read: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Vs Dimensity 8400 Ultra: Performance Showdown!
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Vs A18 Pro Key Specs Face-Off
As per modern standards, both chips use 3nm processes for efficiency. But they differ in core counts, GPU power, and ecosystem focus. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is an 8-core monster optimised for Android’s flexibility. On the other hand, the A18 Pro is a 6-core efficiency king built for iOS.
| Feature | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | A18 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Cores & Clocks | 8 cores (2x Prime @ 4.6GHz, 6x Performance @ 3.63GHz) | 6 cores (2x Performance @ 4.05GHz, 4x Efficiency @ 2.42GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 840 (up to 1.2GHz, 3,686 GFLOPS, ray tracing support) | Apple 6-core GPU (up to 1.49GHz, 2,289 GFLOPS, ray tracing support) |
| Manufacturing Process | 3nm (TSMC) | 3nm (TSMC) |
| NPU/AI Performance | Hexagon NPU (agentic AI, on-device learning) | 16-core Neural Engine (35 TOPS) |
| Memory Support | LPDDR5X up to 24GB, 84.8 GB/s bandwidth | LPDDR5X up to 8GB, 60 GB/s bandwidth |
| Modem & Connectivity | Snapdragon X85 (5G up to 12.5Gbps down), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0 | Snapdragon X71 (5G up to 10Gbps down), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Video/ISP | 8K@60fps capture, AV1 codec, triple AI ISP | 4K@120fps capture, advanced video encoder |
| Announced | September 2025 | September 2024 |
The Snapdragon edges out in raw core count and memory bandwidth. So, it’s great for heavy multitasking on the Android platform. The A18 Pro also shows power efficiency. It can do more in less for similar tasks. Thanks to Apple’s tight hardware-software integration.
Also read: OriginOS 6 Announced: Eligible Devices, Features And Release Timeline!
Benchmark Breakdown: Numbers That Matter
Benchmarks are like a parameter of quality in the smartphone world. It gives a snapshot of raw power, but remember: Android and iOS aren’t apples-to-apples (pun intended). Snapdragon devices often score higher due to more cores, but iOS optimisation means the A18 Pro feels snappier in real use.
| Benchmark | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | A18 Pro | Winner & Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu v10 (Overall) | 3,749,435 | 1,947,830 | Snapdragon (nearly 2x higher; better for graphics-heavy tasks, but cross-platform not 1:1) |
| Geekbench 6 Single-Core | ~3,800 (est. from sub-tests like 465 MB/s asset compression) | ~3,400 | Snapdragon (10-15% edge; faster app launches) |
| Geekbench 6 Multi-Core | ~11,500 | ~8,500 | Snapdragon (35% lead; excels in editing/exporting large files) |
| 3DMark Wild Life (best loop) | ~8400 | ~3268 | Snapdragon’s GPU may pull ahead in sustained gaming) |
| Other (e.g., GFXBench-like sub-tests) | Higher in HDR (388 Mpixels/s) and ray tracing (14.7 Mpixels/s) | Strong in image detection (322 images/s) | Snapdragon (23% GPU improvement over prior gen; better for console-level games) |
In practice, the Snapdragon’s scores translate to smoother performance in apps like Adobe Lightroom on a Xiaomi 17 Pro, where it exports 4K videos 20-30% faster than an iPhone 16 Pro. But the A18 Pro’s efficiency keeps it cooler during benchmarks, avoiding throttle in hot weather.
Also read: Exynos 2500 Vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3? Find Out Which Is Faster!
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Vs A18 Pro: Devices You Can Get!
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Devices
This chip debuted in late 2025 and powers premium Android phones that have big batteries. Some of them are:
- Xiaomi 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max: They are the early adopters with massive 6,000mAh+ batteries. These phones also had Leica cameras. So, all in all, they are great for photographers who want AI-enhanced editing without lag.
- Realme GT 8 Pro: This is a gaming beast that also has vapour chamber cooling. Means overheating due to overwork is efficiently managed. It 120FPS in titles like Genshin Impact without overheating.
- Upcoming Phones With Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5: Samsung Galaxy S26 series, OnePlus 15, iQOO 15, Honor Magic 8, Vivo X200 Ultra. Expect these in early 2026 with features like 200MP cameras and 144Hz displays. Samsung’s version might have a “for Galaxy” tweak for even higher clocks (up to 4.7GHz).
A18 Pro Devices
The A18 Pro is exclusive to the Apple ecosystem. And the pattern has mostly been that newer iPhones get the latest chip. The pro models get the pro chips. This way, the chip is seamlessly integrated across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Also, the software support goes up to 7+ years. These phones are:
- iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max: Released in 2024 but still a flagship in 2025. Excellent for video pros with 4K@120fps Dolby Vision. The battery life is up to 33 hours of video playback on Pro Max.
- No major new devices in mid-2025, but rumours of an iPhone SE refresh could bring A18 Pro variants.
Also read: Exynos 2400 Vs Snapdragon 8 Elite: 2025’s Best Mobile Processor Revealed!
Performance: What It Means for You!
Benchmarks are cool, but let’s talk real life. Both chips handle basics like browsing or streaming Netflix flawlessly. The differences show up in demanding scenarios.
Daily Speed and Multitasking
The Snapdragon 8 Elite variant is known for its heavy-duty multitasking capabilities. Games run like butter on phones with these chips. On a Xiaomi 17, you can run Chrome with 20 tabs, edit photos in Snapseed, and stream Spotify without lags. This chip makes the phone future-proof for 2025’s AI-heavy apps.
A18 Pro in iOS makes it feel fast despite fewer cores. There’s a certain liquidity felt while switching apps that also open fast. Face ID unlocks faster. But with “only” 8GB RAM, it might tremble in extreme multitasking compared to Android rivals.
Gaming: Long Time No Drain
- In Snapdragon, the Adreno GPU crushes it. In one of the tests with Realme GT 8 Pro, we saw that it runs Death Stranding at 60FPS. There’s ray tracing too, and the device stayed under 40 degrees Celsius. So, one can indulge in long gaming sessions without battery drain. Practically, almost 8 hours of PUBG Mobile on high settings is possible.
- The A18 Pro is also not far behind. Solid for Apple Arcade or Asphalt 9, with hardware ray tracing for stunning visuals. But on the iPhone 16 Pro, we noticed that only two hours of gaming (Genshin runs ) warms up the device to 38 degrees Celsius. Frame rates dip slightly compared to Snapdragon.
Also Read: Mediatek Dimensity 9300 Vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: Performance, Gaming, AI And More!
Battery Life: Lasting Through A Day
The 8 Elite Gen 5 brings a lot more efficiency in battery management compared to previous generations. Devices like the Xiaomi 17 Pro last 10-12 hours after mixed use of social media, calls, light gaming, etc.
The A18 Pro takes battery optimisation to a new level. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max hits 14+ hours easily, even with an always-on display.
In Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Vs A18 Pro for battery efficiency, we can consider a tie.
Camera and AI: Smarter Photography
Both chips enable pro-level photography via advanced ISPs. In Snapdragon, the triple AI ISP and APV codec mean 4x dynamic range in videos.
If we talk about Xiaomi 17, the AI auto-enhances low-light shots. The blurry pictures turn into decent quality that’s worth keeping. Agentic AI learns your habits to provide proactive suggestions. It can automatically edit your vacation photos. These are some of the many things that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip brings to the table.
The A18 Pro has neural engine powers features like Cinematic Mode at 4K120fps. Apple iPhone 16 Pro’s “Dragon Fusion” (similar tech) boosts colours and shadows, making portraits pop. Apple Intelligence handles on-device tasks like summarising texts without cloud lag.
Also read: Samsung Exynos 1380 Vs Snapdragon 695: Which One Should You Choose In 2025?
In The End
If you are all about customisation and raw power for gaming/multitasking, go Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Pick a Xiaomi 17 Pro for value or wait for the Samsung S26 for a premium build. You will end up saving a bit compared to spending on an iPhone.
If you love iOS’s minimalist aesthetics, long updates, and Apple ecosystem, stick with A18 Pro on iPhone 16 Pro. It’s efficient and future-proof for AI, but pricier and less flexible.
In my opinion, both are winners. Now it is your choice that boils down to Android vs. the iOS ecosystem. Whichever you pick, you’ll have a flagship that flies through daily life.
Which one would you choose in Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Vs A18 Pro? Share your favourite in the comments below!
Also read: Best Phones With 1M+ AnTuTu Score Under 25000!
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