After Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, we did a thorough specifications comparison between Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and A16 Bionic. And now that benchmark numbers have been revealed, we have compiled all the test data, so you can find out which chipset is more powerful and efficient overall. In this article, we bring you a benchmark comparison between the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 vs Apple A16 Bionic to compare the CPU and GPU performance of the two chipsets.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 vs Apple A16 Bionic Benchmarks (2022)
In this benchmark comparison between Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and A16 Bionic, we have included scores from Geekbench, AnTuTu, 3DMark, and GFXBench. Both the CPU and GPU have been rigorously tested on both processors, and we have shared our findings. On that note, we dive into this guide.
Note: We tested the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 on a prototype device provided by Qualcomm at its launch event in Hawaii. We have used the iPhone 14 Pro for A16 Bionic benchmarks in this article.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 vs A16 Bionic: Specs Comparison
Before the benchmark comparison, let’s take a look at the specs sheet of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Apple A16 Bionic. This will help you understand the on-paper difference between the two processors.
| Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Apple A16 Bionic | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core, Kryo CPU | Hexa-core CPU, 16 billion transistors |
| CPU Cores | 1x 3.2GHz (Cortex-X3) 2x 2.8GHz (Cortex-A715) 2x 2.8GHz (Cortex-A710) 3x 2.0GHz (Cortex-A510) | 2x 3.46GHz High-performance cores (Everest) 4x 2.02GHz High-efficiency cores (Sawtooth) |
| Process Technology | TSMC's 4nm process | TSMC's 4nm process |
| GPU | Adreno 740 GPU; Hardware-accelerated Ray Tracing | Apple-designed 5-core GPU |
| Machine Learning and AI | New AI Engine, Hexagon Processor | New 16-core Neural Engine; 17 TOPS |
| ISP | Triple 18-Bit Spectra ISP; Cognitive ISP, Snapdragon Sight | Apple-designed New Image Signal Processor |
| Camera Capability | Capture photos up to 200MP, 36MP triple shots with ZSL | ProRAW photos at 48MP Photonic Engine |
| Video Capability | 8K HDR, Bokeh Engine 2 | 4K HDR Dolby Vision @ 60FPS Cinematic 4K@24FPS Action mode |
| Modem | Snapdragon X70 5G modem Up to 10 Gbps Peak Download Up to 3.5 Gbps Peak Upload | Snapdragon X65 5G modem Up to 10 Gbps Peak Download Up to 3.5 Gbps Peak Upload |
| WiFi Support | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3, LE Audio, Dual Bluetooth Antenna, aptX Lossless | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Others | AV1 Codec Support NavIC Support | No AV1 Codec Support No Navic Support |
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 vs A16 Bionic: Geekbench Score
First, let’s compare the Geekbench score of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and A16 Bionic. According to Qualcomm, its reference design that was powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 scored 1490 in the single-core test and 5131 in the multi-core test. Whereas in our testing, Apple’s A16 Bionic chipset scored 1879 in the single-core test and 5307 in the multi-core test.
As you can observe, Qualcomm has managed to close the gap against Apple in multi-threaded tasks, but it still lags behind by at least 25% in the single-core test. Remember the benchmark score has been obtained from the prototype device by Qualcomm and not an OEM phone, so we can expect slightly higher numbers in the coming weeks. Some manufacturers may draw more performance out of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with more optimization.
On the prototype device, the prime Cortex-X3 core is clocked at 3.19GHz, which is what the standard Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers. However, if we go by UniverseIce‘s recent tweet, it’s said that Samsung users in Europe will get a higher-clocked CPU from Qualcomm for the Galaxy S23 series. It says that the Cortex-X3 core will be clocked at 3.36GHz, which means the single-core performance will get even closer to A16 Bionic’s figure. For your information, A16 Bionic’s powerful Everest core can operate at 3.5GHz.
To sum up, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset indeed has a powerful CPU cluster, and it’s right up there with A16 Bionic in terms of multi-threaded tasks. However, in terms of single-core performance, the 8 Gen 2 isn’t as powerful as the A16 Bionic. Maybe that will change with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 release or the Samsung Galaxy S23 series launch.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 vs A16 Bionic: AnTuTu Score
At the Snapdragon Summit 2022, we performed an AnTuTu test on the prototype device powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. It scored a whopping 1,276,749 points. That’s way higher than A16 Bionic’s 890,344 points in the AnTuTu benchmark test. Note that AnTuTu gives an aggregated score combining the evaluation from CPU, GPU, memory, and user experience tests.
If we take a look at the specific scores, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s CPU performance scored 270,867, which is slightly higher than what A16 Bionic’s CPU achieved in the AnTuTu test. As for the GPU, the 8 Gen 2 peaked at 567,801 and is way ahead of the A16 Bionic’s 5-core GPU, which scored 410,588.
And since Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 supports the latest storage and LPDDR5X memory standards, it stands out with a score of 239,879 as compared to Apple’s silicon. Here, the A16 Bionic significantly lags behind in this department as it utilizes LPDDR5 memory, which is 33% slower than LPDDR5X. Finally, in the user experience test, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 scored 198,202 points, whereas the A16 Bionic scored 146,231 points. Basically, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 pulls ahead of the A16 Bionic in the AnTuTu benchmark by a huge margin.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 vs Apple A16 Bionic: 3DMark Test
Moving to the first GPU benchmarking test between the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and A16 Bionic, the results surprised us. For the first time, Qualcomm has defeated Apple in GPU performance. The Adreno 740 GPU on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 scored 81.3 FPS in the 3DMark WildLife test and 22.5 FPS in the 3DMark WildLife Extreme test.
According to our testing, A16 Bionic’s 5-core GPU on iPhone 14 Pro achieved 59.4 FPS in the 3DMark WildLife test and 19.2 FPS in the 3DMark WildLife Extreme test. That’s a considerable difference in GPU performance between the two processors.
Even if we consider the overall 3DMark benchmark scores, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 scored 13,575 and 3,764 in the normal and extreme tests, respectively. Whereas the A16 Bionic maxed out in the normal test and scored 3,200 in the extreme test. Note that 3DMark shows “Maxed out” when the device hits the vertical sync limit of the test, which means the test is too lightweight for the device.
Basically, the GPU gain on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is huge. And if we consider the efficiency numbers provided by Qualcomm, well, its GPU is undoubtedly as efficient as the A16 Bionic’s GPU.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 vs Apple A16 Bionic: GFXBench Test
GFXBench is another intensive graphics benchmark test, and the trend is similar to what we observed in the 3DMark tests. Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 trumps A16 Bionic in peak FPS on this benchmark test.
In the GFXBench Manhattan 3.0 Offscreen 1080p test, the Adreno 740 GPU on the SD8Gen2-powered prototype device scored 332 FPS whereas A16 Bionic’s GPU could only muster 243 FPS. In the GFXBench Manhattan 3.1 Offscreen 1080p test, the 8 Gen 2 reached 226FPS and A16 Bionic achieved 195 FPS. Finally, in the intensive Aztec Ruins Offscreen 1080p (Normal Tier) test, Qualcomm trumped Apple with a score of 179 FPS once again. Apple’s A16 Bionic chipset could only chalk up 146 FPS.
It’s clear that the Adreno 740 GPU on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 packs a punch and has finally dethroned Apple in the GPU game, which is good news for mobile gamers. Moreover, according to leaks, the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S23 series will have a higher-clocked Adreno 740 GPU (up from 680MHz to 719MHz), which will again crush A16 Bionic in GPU performance.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 vs Apple A16 Bionic: AI Benchmark
We don’t have any tools to test A16 Bionic’s 16-core Neural Engine, but it can perform 17 trillion operations per second (TOPS), according to Apple. Qualcomm has not made the TOPS figure public this year, but the previous-gen Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 already had a significant lead with 27 TOPS.
Qualcomm says that the new AI engine on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is at least 4.35 times faster than the one on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. In all probability, the Hexagon-powered AI engine on the 8Gen2 will be better than Apple’s 16-core Neural Engine. But in the end, it comes down to the OEMs if they wish to utilize the features on offer or not. We have mentioned the AITuTu score (3,628,796) of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 here, but you can check all other Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 benchmark scores via the linked article.
Which One Would You Pick: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or A16 Bionic?
It’s clear that Qualcomm has done a tremendous job at improving its mobile SoC and the Snapdragon 8 gen 2 is proof of that. Besides the single-core CPU performance, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 leads in all other categories. The GPU gain is particularly noteworthy, this year. Apart from that, in the AI and wireless connectivity department, Qualcomm already has a significant lead. So which one would you choose: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or A16 Bionic? Do let us know your thoughts in the comment section below. And if you wish to learn more, you can head to our comparison between Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and 8 Gen 1.
