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The Snapdragon 8 Elite and Apple A18 Pro are high-end phone chips, but the available evidence does not establish one universal performance winner. Qualcomm’s published benchmark claims describe its own launch testing and generational gains; Apple’s specification page lists the A18 Pro’s core configuration, not a direct comparison. To judge which is faster, match the workload and test conditions—and distinguish a chip comparison from a comparison between finished phones.
Specifications: what each chip includes
| Feature | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Apple A18 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Qualcomm custom Oryon CPU. Qualcomm lists speeds up to 4.47 GHz on its standard platform page, notes a 4.32 GHz variant, and says a 7-core version is also available. Check the exact phone configuration. Qualcomm specifications | 6 cores: 2 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores. Apple’s cited specifications do not state a clock speed. Apple iPhone 16 Pro specifications |
| GPU | Adreno GPU; Qualcomm lists Vulkan 1.3, OpenGL ES 3.2, and OpenCL 3.0 FP support. Qualcomm specifications | 6-core Apple GPU. Apple iPhone 16 Pro specifications |
| AI hardware | Hexagon NPU within Qualcomm’s AI Engine. Qualcomm reports generational performance and efficiency gains; these are vendor claims, not a direct comparison with Apple’s chip. Qualcomm specifications | 16-core Neural Engine. The core count is not directly comparable with Qualcomm’s AI engine configuration. Apple iPhone 16 Pro specifications |
| Example devices | Used in Android phones. Tom’s Guide identifies the Galaxy S25 Ultra among Snapdragon 8 Elite-equipped models; verify the exact model and region. Tom’s Guide device and benchmark context | Used in iPhone 16 Pro models. Apple iPhone 16 Pro specifications |
Core counts and peak clock speeds describe different aspects of chip design; neither determines how fast a particular app or game will run. A useful comparison also needs a named test, its version, and the phones and settings involved.
What the published benchmark evidence shows
In its October 2024 launch announcement, Qualcomm described Snapdragon 8 Elite results using Geekbench 6.2 single-core and multi-core tests, Speedometer, and AnTuTu CPU. These are Qualcomm-reported test claims, not independently verified, same-condition measurements against the A18 Pro. Qualcomm’s launch announcement
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Qualcomm also reports generational gains for the Snapdragon 8 Elite versus its prior generation: a 45% CPU performance boost and 44% greater CPU power efficiency, plus 40% enhanced GPU performance and 40% improved GPU efficiency. Those figures are Qualcomm’s own comparisons with the previous generation. They do not measure the Snapdragon 8 Elite against the A18 Pro.
#1 Best Overall
- MULTIPLE TASKS WITH ONE ASK: Streamline your day with an assistant that gets you. Ask it to Google search for a pet-friendly vegan restaurant nearby and text it to your friend— your Galaxy S25+ handles multiple tasks with a single ask.¹
- START THE DAY SMARTER: Stay one step ahead with a phone that gives you the info you need before you even know you need it with Now Brief.²
- REDUCE THE NOISE. REVEAL THE MAGIC: AI Camera with Audio Eraser lets you capture vibrant videos in low light and minimize unwanted noises so you can relive your favorite moments with fewer distractions.³
- BRING OUT THE BEST IN EVERY FACE: Capture every portrait with clarity and confidence on the Galaxy S25+ Series. The advanced portrait features adjust skin tones and preserve natural textures, giving every shot a polished, professional look.
- MORE POWER TO YOU: Reimagine what’s possible with the Galaxy S25+, featuring our most powerful processor yet. Effortlessly translate your calls, slow down a video, or edit your photos without skipping a beat.
Android Authority published reference-device testing framed as a comparison with the A18 Pro, but cautioned that reference-device results need not match later retail phones. The available source context does not establish a controlled, independently verified score table that can support a universal winner. Android Authority’s reference-device testing
Why the phone matters as much as the chip
A benchmark result belongs to a particular device and test setup, not just to a processor name. Cooling design and power limits can change how long a chip sustains high performance. Software, memory configuration, workload, and test conditions also affect the result. An Android reference device is not interchangeable with a retail phone, and results from one handset should not automatically be applied to every model using the same chip.
Rank #2
- Ultra-high Performance Chipset: This cell phone is equipped with a powerful and efficient Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip, using 4nm technology and a full-core 3.2GHz CPU, supporting 24GB LPDDR5X memory + UFS 4.0 flash memory, and equipped with an AI engine, with comprehensive performance upgrades.
- Revolutionary 50MP Quad Camera System: This smartphone is equipped with All 50MP four camera system: Including a Main Camera, a Periscope, an Ultra-wide Camera, and a ultra-clear Front Camera; this cell phone support Ultra XDR 4K video, Auto Tone, Portrait Optimiser, Motion Capture Mode, Night Mode; Whether you're a photographer, vlogger, or social media enthusiast, with the pro-grade camera system and AI enhancements, this Nothing phone can ensure every shot is masterpiece-ready.
- One-Touch Control, AI-Powered Organization：ESSENTIAL KEY: A new button on the side of your device.Press once to capture your screen, long-press to record voice and ideas, and double-press to access Essential Space; ESSENTIAL SPACE: Everything in one place, organised the way you want it to be，AI mobile phones helps organise your captures, generating suggestions, and staying on top of what matters; Explore more AI features, Let AI enrich your life
- GLYPH INTERFACE: Where Light Speaks; The Glyph Matrix transforms your phone into an interactive playground—smart animations turn notifications, tools, and games into living light experiences; NFC: An animation comes to life when NFC is triggered; Glyph Button: Quick-tap to browse Glyph Toys, long-press to launch—from utilities to games; Smarter Alerts: Notifications now speak in light and sound, blending visuals with meaning; Beyond illumination; This is interaction, redefined.
- Larger and Brighter FHD Display: 6.67" FHD+ 1.5K AMOLED flex screen with 1.07B colors & 120Hz adaptive refresh for ultra-smooth visuals; Vs Nothing Phone (2)/(3a): Phone (3) boasts 181.2% brighter (4500 nits), 16.7% sharper (460 PPI), and 316% faster touch response (1000Hz); IP68-rated—tough enough for any adventure.
There are two distinct questions: how two chips compare in a controlled test, and how two finished phones compare in everyday use. The first requires matched benchmark conditions. The second includes each phone’s cooling, software, display, battery behavior, and implementation.
How to interpret “which is faster?”
- Single-core CPU: Look for a named single-core benchmark and its version, run on identified devices.
- Multi-core CPU: Check the multi-core result and test duration; a short burst does not establish sustained performance.
- Apps and browsing: Browser or app tests measure particular software paths, not every kind of responsiveness.
- Graphics and gaming: Compare the same game or graphics benchmark, API, resolution, and device conditions.
- Sustained performance: For long gaming or workloads, look for results over time and thermal context rather than a peak score alone.
- Power efficiency: A performance score alone does not show how much energy the phone used to achieve it.
- On-device AI: Compare the same AI task and measurement method; vendor engine names and core counts do not create a shared benchmark.
For any reported result, identify the phone, software, benchmark version, graphics API and resolution where relevant, and whether it came from a manufacturer, a reference device, or a retail handset. Without those details, a percentage advantage can imply more certainty than the evidence supports.
Rank #3
- Stunning 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with adaptive 1–120 Hz refresh rate, ultra‑bright up to ~2600 nits, HDR support, “Vision Booster,” and adaptive color tone — giving vivid colours, great outdoor visibility, and super‑smooth scrolling.
- Powerful internals: it runs on the new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3 nm) chip, with 12 GB (or in some markets up to 16 GB) RAM and up to 1 TB UFS 4.0 storage — offering significantly improved CPU/GPU/NPU performance, especially for AI tasks, gaming, and heavy multitasking.
- Advanced quad‑camera system: 200 MP wide main sensor, plus a 50 MP ultrawide, a 50 MP periscope telephoto (5× optical zoom), and a 10 MP telephoto (3× optical zoom) — giving flexibility from ultra‑wide through detailed telephoto shots, and strong performance in varied lighting.
- 5,000 mAh battery with 45 W fast wired charging, wireless charging (Qi2) and reverse wireless charging — balancing long battery life with flexible charging options.
- Durable, premium build: Titanium‑frame body, protected by Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass, with IP68 dust/water resistance, ultrasonic in‑display fingerprint sensor, modern connectivity (5G, Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth, UWB, USB‑C), and long‑term software support (Android 15 / One UI 7, promised 7 major OS/security updates).
Bottom line for choosing between them
The Snapdragon 8 Elite and A18 Pro have different CPU, GPU, and AI designs, and the supplied specifications do not make either chip an across-the-board winner. Qualcomm’s launch figures are useful for understanding its claims about the Snapdragon 8 Elite, but they are not a direct A18 Pro comparison. If you are choosing a phone, compare the exact models available in your region and prioritize independent results for the tasks you care about; chip-level claims alone do not predict the whole-phone experience.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Ultra-high Performance Chipset: This cell phone is equipped with a powerful and efficient Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip, using 4nm technology and a full-core 3.2GHz CPU, supporting 24GB LPDDR5X memory + UFS 4.0 flash memory, and equipped with an AI engine, with comprehensive performance upgrades.
- Revolutionary 50MP Quad Camera System: This smartphone is equipped with All 50MP four camera system: Including a Main Camera, a Periscope, an Ultra-wide Camera, and a ultra-clear Front Camera; this cell phone support Ultra XDR 4K video, Auto Tone, Portrait Optimiser, Motion Capture Mode, Night Mode; Whether you're a photographer, vlogger, or social media enthusiast, with the pro-grade camera system and AI enhancements, this Nothing phone can ensure every shot is masterpiece-ready.
- One-Touch Control, AI-Powered Organization：ESSENTIAL KEY: A new button on the side of your device.Press once to capture your screen, long-press to record voice and ideas, and double-press to access Essential Space; ESSENTIAL SPACE: Everything in one place, organised the way you want it to be，AI mobile phones helps organise your captures, generating suggestions, and staying on top of what matters; Explore more AI features, Let AI enrich your life
- GLYPH INTERFACE: Where Light Speaks; The Glyph Matrix transforms your phone into an interactive playground—smart animations turn notifications, tools, and games into living light experiences; NFC: An animation comes to life when NFC is triggered; Glyph Button: Quick-tap to browse Glyph Toys, long-press to launch—from utilities to games; Smarter Alerts: Notifications now speak in light and sound, blending visuals with meaning; Beyond illumination; This is interaction, redefined.
- Larger and Brighter FHD Display: 6.67" FHD+ 1.5K AMOLED flex screen with 1.07B colors & 120Hz adaptive refresh for ultra-smooth visuals; Vs Nothing Phone (2)/(3a): Phone (3) boasts 181.2% brighter (4500 nits), 16.7% sharper (460 PPI), and 316% faster touch response (1000Hz); IP68-rated—tough enough for any adventure.
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