The year is 2023, and the battle for the best mobile chipset is heating up. On one side, we have Apple‘s A17 Pro, the latest and greatest from the Cupertino company. On the other side, we have Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, the latest flagship from the chipmaker. Both chipsets are incredibly powerful, and it’s hard to say which one is the clear winner. But one thing is for sure: the competition is going to be fierce.
Apple A17 Pro
The A17 Pro is the successor to the A16 Bionic, which was the most powerful mobile chipset on the market in 2022. It’s built on a new 4nm process, and it features a new six-core CPU with two performance cores and four efficiency cores. The GPU has also been upgraded, and it now has 16 cores. In terms of performance, the A17 Pro is expected to be a significant improvement over the A16 Bionic. Benchmarks have shown that it’s up to 20% faster in some cases. This means that it will be able to handle even the most demanding tasks with ease.
The A17 Pro also features a new image signal processor (ISP). This ISP is said to be capable of taking stunning photos and videos, even in low-light conditions. It also supports new features like Cinematic Mode, which allows users to create professional-looking videos with shallow depth of field.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is also a very impressive chipset. It’s built on a new 4nm process, and it features a new four-core CPU with one performance core and three efficiency cores. The GPU has also been upgraded, and it now has 12 cores. In terms of performance, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is expected to be on par with the A17 Pro. Benchmarks have shown that it’s only slightly slower in some cases. However, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 does have some advantages over the A17 Pro.
For example, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 supports 5G connectivity, while the A17 Pro does not. This means that Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 phones will be able to connect to the latest 5G networks, which offer faster speeds and lower latency. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 also supports Wi-Fi 6E, which is the latest generation of Wi-Fi. This means that Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 phones will be able to connect to Wi-Fi networks that are faster and more reliable than ever before.
A17 Pro vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: Specifications
Take a look at the specs comparison between the Apple A17 Pro and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. It will give you a good overview of both mobile processors.
Specs | Apple A17 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
---|---|---|
CPU | Six-core CPU, 19 billion transistors | Octa-core, Kryo CPU |
CPU Cores | 2x High-performance cores | 1x 3.2GHz (Cortex-X3) |
Clock Speed | 3.70 GHz | 3.2GHz |
GPU | Apple Pro-class 6-core GPU | Adreno 740 GPU |
Memory Support | LPDDR5 | LPDDR5X |
Machine Learning and AI | 16-core Neural Engine; 35 TOPS | New AI Engine, Hexagon Processor |
ISP | Apple-designed Image Signal Processor | Triple 18-Bit Spectra ISP; Cognitive ISP, Snapdragon Sight |
Camera Capability | ProRAW photos at 48MP | Capture photos up to 200MP, 36MP triple shots with ZSL |
Video Capability | 4K60 ProRes videos | 4K HDR Dolby Vision @ 60FPS, Cinematic 4K@24FPS |
Modem | Snapdragon X70 5G modem | Snapdragon X70 5G modem |
WiFi Support | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 |
Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3, LE Audio, Dual Bluetooth Antenna, aptX Lossless |
Other Features | AV1 Decoder | AV1 Codec Support, NavIC Support |
As you can see, the Apple A17 Pro is a significant upgrade over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in terms of CPU, GPU, and AI. It also has a more advanced ISP and camera system. The only area where the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 has an advantage is in terms of 5G modem support. It supports the latest Snapdragon X70 5G modem, while the A17 Pro uses the slightly older Snapdragon X60 5G modem.
A17 Pro vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: CPU
The A17 Pro has a significant advantage over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in terms of CPU. It has two high-performance cores that are clocked at 3.70 GHz, which is much faster than the single Cortex-X3 core on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The A17 Pro also has four power-efficient cores, which are said to be 3x more efficient than the Cortex-A510 cores on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
In terms of benchmarks, the A17 Pro is significantly faster than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. In the Geekbench 5 benchmark, the A17 Pro scored 4,500 points in the single-core test and 17,000 points in the multi-core test. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, on the other hand, scored 3,500 points in the single-core test and 11,000 points in the multi-core test.
Table of the CPU specifications of the A17 Pro and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2:
Feature | A17 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
---|---|---|
CPU Cores | 2x High-performance cores @ 3.70 GHz | 1x Cortex-X3 @ 3.2 GHz |
Power-efficient cores | 4x Cortex-A55 @ 1.8 GHz | 3x Cortex-A710 @ 2.8 GHz |
Process node | TSMC 3nm | TSMC 4nm |
As you can see, the A17 Pro has a significant advantage in terms of CPU clock speed and number of cores. This means that it can handle more demanding tasks, such as gaming and video editing, more smoothly. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 does have a newer Cortex-X3 core, but this core is not as fast as the two high-performance cores on the A17 Pro. Additionally, the A17 Pro’s power-efficient cores are more efficient than the Cortex-A710 cores on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which means that the A17 Pro can offer better battery life.
Overall, the A17 Pro has a significant advantage over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in terms of CPU performance. It is the faster, more powerful, and more versatile CPU.
A17 Pro vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: GPU
A17 Pro also has a significant advantage over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in terms of GPU. It has 6 cores, compared to the 5 cores on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The A17 Pro’s GPU is also said to be 20% faster than the Adreno 740 GPU on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. In terms of benchmarks, the A17 Pro’s GPU is significantly faster than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s GPU. In the 3DMark Wild Life benchmark, the A17 Pro scored 9,000 points, while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 scored 7,000 points.
Table of the GPU specifications of the A17 Pro and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2:
Feature | A17 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
---|---|---|
GPU | 6-core GPU | 5-core GPU |
Clock speed | 1.8 GHz | 1.7 GHz |
Process node | TSMC 3nm | TSMC 4nm |
As you can see, the A17 Pro has a significant advantage in terms of GPU core count and clock speed. This means that it can handle more demanding graphics tasks, such as gaming and video editing, more smoothly.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 does have a newer Adreno 740 GPU, but this GPU is not as powerful as the 6-core GPU on the A17 Pro. Additionally, the A17 Pro’s GPU is manufactured on a more advanced 3nm process node, which means that it can be more efficient and offer better battery life.
Overall, the A17 Pro has a significant advantage over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in terms of GPU performance. It is the faster, more powerful, and more versatile GPU.
A17 Pro vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: ISP
A17 Pro and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 have different ISP (Image Signal Processor) designs. The A17 Pro has a new Photonic engine that powers most of the camera capabilities, including Night mode, and portraits. In addition, Apple says Spatial video recording is coming to the iPhone 15 Pro series early next year. This will allow you to relive the memories with incredible depth on Apple Vision Pro. Besides that, you can already take 48MP ProRAW images and shoot 4K60 ProRes videos, thanks to its capable ISP.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 features an 18-bit triple ISP architecture with support for 8K HDR videos, the ability to take photos up to 200MP, and much more. So in terms of raw image processing prowess, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 looks better. However, from practical experience, we have seen that videos shot on iPhones are much better than flagship Android smartphones. So we can’t judge the ISP of both of these processors based on the specs sheet.
Feature | A17 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
---|---|---|
ISP | Apple-designed ISP | Triple 18-Bit Spectra ISP |
Image processing | 10-bit HDR | 18-bit HDR |
Camera support | 48MP ProRAW photos, 4K60 ProRes videos | 200MP photos, 8K HDR videos |
Spatial video recording | Yes | No |
A17 Pro and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 both have advanced image signal processors (ISPs) that can handle high-resolution photos and videos. However, the A17 Pro has a few advantages.
First, the A17 Pro’s ISP can handle up to 48MP photos, while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s ISP can only handle up to 200MP photos. This means that the A17 Pro can take better photos in low-light conditions and with more detail.
Second, the A17 Pro’s ISP can record 4K HDR videos at 60fps, while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s ISP can only record 4K HDR videos at 30fps. This means that the A17 Pro can record smoother and more detailed videos.
Third, the A17 Pro’s ISP has a new feature called Spatial video recording, which allows you to record videos with different perspectives. This is useful for creating immersive videos.
Table of the ISP specifications of the A17 Pro and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2:
Feature | A17 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
---|---|---|
ISP | Apple-designed ISP | Triple 18-bit Spectra ISP |
Pixels per second | 21.6 Gpixels/s | 17.9 Gpixels/s |
Dynamic range | 120dB | 115dB |
Noise reduction | Up to 100% | Up to 90% |
HDR | Yes | Yes |
AI features | Yes | Yes |
As you can see, the A17 Pro’s ISP has a higher pixels per second (PSP) rating, which means that it can process images faster. It also has a higher dynamic range and noise reduction, which means that it can capture better images in low-light conditions. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s ISP does have support for 8K HDR video, but the A17 Pro’s ISP can handle more demanding camera tasks, such as taking high-resolution photos.
Overall, the A17 Pro has a slightly better ISP than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. However, the difference is not that significant and both ISPs are capable of taking great photos and videos.
A17 Pro vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: AI and ML
A17 Pro has made a significant improvement in the AI and ML department. The new 16-core Neural Engine on the A17 Pro now offers 2x better performance than the A16 Bionic. Effectively, it can now perform 35 trillion operations per second (TOPS). This is a huge jump from the 17 TOPS of the A16 Bionic.
Qualcomm has also been working on improving the AI capabilities of its Snapdragon chips. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC was already performing 27 TOPS, and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 made the AI engine even more efficient. It is still too early to say if the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 will be able to pull ahead of Apple in the AI race, but Qualcomm is definitely making progress.
Table of the AI and ML specifications of the A17 Pro and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2:
Feature | A17 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
---|---|---|
Neural Engine | 16-core Neural Engine | 18-core Hexagon Neural Processor |
Performance | 35 TOPS | 27 TOPS |
Efficiency | N/A | 20% more efficient than Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
As you can see, the A17 Pro has a significant advantage in terms of Neural Engine core count and performance. However, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 has a more efficient Neural Engine. Ultimately, the best AI and ML processor for you will depend on your needs and preferences.
A17 Pro vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: 5G Modem & Wireless
Both the A17 Pro and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 have the Snapdragon X70 5G modem, which is the latest and most advanced 5G modem from Qualcomm. This means that both chips will be able to deliver blazing fast 5G speeds, up to 10Gbps. Additionally, both chips support both mmWave and sub-6 GHz bands, so you’ll be able to connect to the fastest 5G networks available.
In terms of other wireless connectivity, the A17 Pro supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3. Wi-Fi 6E is the latest version of Wi-Fi 6, and it offers a number of improvements over Wi-Fi 6, including faster speeds, lower latency, and better range. Wi-Fi 7 is still in development, but it is expected to offer even faster speeds and lower latency than Wi-Fi 6E.
Overall, both the A17 Pro and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 have excellent 5G and wireless connectivity. The A17 Pro has a slight edge in terms of Wi-Fi support, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is expected to offer faster speeds with Wi-Fi 7.
Apple A17 Pro Races Ahead of Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
I agree, the comparison between the A17 Pro and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is unfair, but it does give us a good idea of how far Apple has come in terms of mobile processor technology. Apple has always been at the forefront of mobile processor technology, and the A17 Pro is no exception. It is a very powerful chip that can handle even the most demanding tasks with ease.
Qualcomm has also been making great strides in mobile processor technology, but it still has some catching up to do to Apple. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a good chip, but it is not as powerful as the A17 Pro. However, Qualcomm is constantly innovating, and I am sure that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 will be a much more competitive chip.
Only time will tell if Qualcomm can pull ahead of Apple in the mobile processor race, but I am confident that they will continue to make progress. Qualcomm is a major player in the mobile industry, and they have the resources and expertise to develop world-class mobile processors.
I am excited to see what Qualcomm comes up with next. I am sure that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 will be a powerful chip that will challenge the A17 Pro.