Apple’s latest mobile SoCs, the A18 and A18 Pro, have once again solidified the company’s dominance in the custom silicon market. A recent in-depth review by Geekerwan has ranked these chipsets against their competitors, including the M2, M4, Dimensity 9300, and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
A18 Pro Claims Top Spot
The A18 Pro, in particular, has emerged as the fastest mobile SoC currently available, narrowly trailing Apple’s M2 and M4 desktop chips. Despite featuring the same cluster and clock speeds as the A18, the A18 Pro consistently outperforms its counterpart in CPU benchmarks.
Comparing to M Series and Rivals
Geekerwan’s rankings, based on performance relative to the Snapdragon 865, clearly demonstrate the A18 Pro’s superiority. It outpaces the M2 and M3, while the M4 maintains a slight edge due to its more powerful configuration. Even compared to the Snapdragon X Elite, a high-performance gaming chip, the A18 Pro holds its ground.
Efficiency and Thermal Design
The A18 Pro’s advantage over the A18 can likely be attributed to a combination of factors, including a more efficient thermal design and potentially optimized software. While the A18 is only a few places behind its Pro variant in GPU rankings, the A18 Pro’s superior performance in CPU benchmarks suggests that thermal management plays a crucial role.
The Competition Heats Up
The arrival of the Dimensity 9400 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will undoubtedly challenge the A18 Pro’s dominance. Early benchmarks indicate that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, in particular, offers significant performance gains over the A18 Pro. However, it’s important to note that raw performance is just one aspect of a mobile SoC’s capabilities. Efficiency, power consumption, and overall user experience are equally essential factors to consider.
Apple’s A18 Pro has set a new standard for mobile SoCs, delivering exceptional performance and efficiency. While the upcoming competition from MediaTek and Qualcomm will be fierce, Apple’s continued advancements in custom silicon technology ensure that it remains a formidable force in the mobile market.
