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Neither processor wins every comparison. In Geekbench’s mobile chart, the iPhone 17 with the standard A19 leads the Galaxy S25 Ultra with Snapdragon 8 Elite in single-core performance, while the Galaxy leads in multi-core. Third-party aggregates tell a different story, underscoring why scores need to be read alongside the phone, benchmark version, and sample size—not as a universal verdict on the chips.
Apple A19 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite: specifications
Apple’s official iPhone 17 specifications describe the standard A19. The Snapdragon figures below come from NanoReview’s comparison page, which labels the chip “Snapdragon 8 Elite (Gen 4).” These are reported specifications, not results from a matched hardware test.
| Specification | Apple A19 | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Six cores: two performance cores and four efficiency cores | Eight cores: two Oryon performance cores up to 4.32 GHz and six efficiency cores up to 3.53 GHz |
| GPU | Five-core GPU with Neural Accelerators; hardware-accelerated ray tracing | Adreno 830 |
| Neural processing | 16-core Neural Engine | Hexagon neural processor |
| Process | Not stated in Apple’s cited iPhone 17 specifications | 3 nm, according to NanoReview |
Sources: Apple’s iPhone 17 technical specifications and NanoReview’s comparison. The standard A19 here is not the A19 Pro, and Snapdragon 8 Elite is not the later Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.
Geekbench scores: single-core versus multi-core
Geekbench’s mobile chart snapshot accessed in 2026 lists results for two specific phones—not a controlled test of bare processors. The iPhone 17 entry is associated with A19; the Galaxy S25 Ultra entry is associated with Snapdragon 8 Elite.
#1 Best Overall
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
| Phone and chip | Single-core | Multi-core |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17, A19 | 2,995 | 8,280 |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, Snapdragon 8 Elite | 2,475 | 8,893 |
On these chart entries, the iPhone score is higher in single-core, while the Galaxy score is higher in multi-core. Geekbench’s live chart can change as submissions are added, and results reflect the phones and conditions behind the entries. Source: Geekbench Mobile Benchmarks, accessed in 2026.
Why another benchmark comparison gives different numbers
NanoReview’s Geekbench 6 aggregates show a larger A19 lead in single-core and a narrow A19 lead in multi-core. Its reported sample counts are unequal: 9 A19 tests and 148 Snapdragon 8 Elite tests. Those aggregate scores are not the same measurements as Geekbench’s device-chart entries above, so they should not be combined into a single head-to-head result.
Rank #2
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
| NanoReview benchmark aggregate | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Apple A19 | Reported samples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 single-core | 3,013 | 3,692 | 148 Snapdragon tests; 9 A19 tests |
| Geekbench 6 multi-core | 9,287 | 9,454 | 148 Snapdragon tests; 9 A19 tests |
For AnTuTu 11, NanoReview reports totals of 3,126,402 for Snapdragon 8 Elite and 2,156,126 for A19, based on reported samples of 541 and 23 respectively. NanoReview cautions that Android and iOS AnTuTu results are not directly comparable, so those totals do not establish which chip is faster across platforms.
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What the graphics score does—and does not—show
NanoReview reports 3DMark Steel Nomad Light scores of 2,386 for Snapdragon 8 Elite and 2,147 for A19. This is a third-party cross-device comparison, not a controlled chipset test. A graphics benchmark score alone does not establish gaming frame rates or sustained performance across phones.
Rank #3
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
GPU performance in a real game also depends on the handset’s cooling, software, graphics settings, and the game itself. The available figures do not provide a matched test of standard A19 and Snapdragon 8 Elite phones under the same sustained workload.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to use these results when choosing a phone
- For short, single-threaded tasks: Geekbench’s listed iPhone 17/A19 result is higher in single-core. Treat it as evidence about that chart entry, not a guarantee for every A19 phone or task.
- For workloads using multiple CPU cores: The Galaxy S25 Ultra entry leads in Geekbench’s chart, while NanoReview’s aggregate shows a slight A19 lead. The disagreement reflects different datasets and conditions; neither figure settles performance for every phone.
- For games and graphics-heavy apps: Consider device-specific game tests or graphics benchmarks at comparable settings. The cited Steel Nomad Light scores do not establish real-game frame rates or long-session behavior.
- For a purchase decision: Compare the actual phones’ display, cameras, battery, software support, price, and app ecosystem. Processor specifications and benchmark scores do not resolve those differences.
Benchmark results vary with handset cooling and design, software, operating-system behavior, test version, and run conditions. A useful comparison names the device and benchmark, separates single-core, multi-core, and graphics results, and identifies whether scores are individual chart entries or aggregates.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Rank #4
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
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