Apple's iPhone XS Max smashes Google's Pixel 3 in benchmark testing
AppleInsider is running Apple's iPhone XS Max and Google's brand new Pixel 3 through a gauntlet of tests to see which of the two flagship smartphones reigns supreme. In this first installment of our special video series we compare the iPhone's A12 Bionic processor against the Pixel 3's Snapdragon silicon.
Google opted to power its latest Pixel smartphone with Qualcomm's octa-core Snapdragon 845, the same chip found in Samsung's Galaxy Note 9. Both the performance and efficiency cores are clocked slightly slower than the Galaxy at 2.5GHz and 1.5GHz, respectively. The processor is backed by 4GB of RAM, while an Adreno 630 GPU drives graphics for the 5.5-inch handset.
Apple's top-of-the-line iPhone for 2018 is powered by the new A12 Bionic chip, a six-core system-on-chip with two high-performance cores and four efficiency cores running at a clock speed of 2.49GHz. An integrated Apple-designed four-core GPU crunches graphics data.
Starting with the Geekbench 4 CPU test, iPhone XS Max more than doubles the Pixel 3 in single-core performance with a score of 4,816 points compared to only 2,393. The gap is not as wide in multi-core, but the XS Max still handily beats the Pixel 3 with a score of 11,584 compared to 8,312.
Apple's hardware again outperformed in the Geekbench graphics test, scoring 22,278 points to Google's 13,845 points.
Next up is Antutu's graphics intensive benchmark. The Pixel 3 scored quite well with 284,546 points, but it was unable to compete with the iPhone XS Max, which pegged the needle at 363,687. Looking at the detailed results, the iPhone beat the Pixel 3 in every test except for memory.
Moving onto Antutu's HTML 5 test, the XS Max scored around 35 percent higher than the Pixel 3, with respective results of 46,531 and 34,674.
In Octane 2.0, another browser benchmark, the difference was massive. The XS Max pulled down a score of 43,220, almost three times the Pixel 3's 16,396. This test is a good illustration of Apple's hardware and software optimization.
For our final test, we ran GFXBench OpenGL's 1080p Manhattan Offscreen test. Again, we saw a significantly higher score on the XS Max, which managed 120 frames per second compared to 83fps on the Pixel 3.
Based on these results, there's no doubt that the XS Max is the superior device in terms of performance. The Google Pixel 3 put in an underwhelming performance, one that is in some cases bested by the Galaxy Note 9.
Carrier deals:
AppleInsider will be running through a number of comparisons in the coming days. Download the AppleInsider iOS app and follow us on YouTube so you don't miss out.
Google opted to power its latest Pixel smartphone with Qualcomm's octa-core Snapdragon 845, the same chip found in Samsung's Galaxy Note 9. Both the performance and efficiency cores are clocked slightly slower than the Galaxy at 2.5GHz and 1.5GHz, respectively. The processor is backed by 4GB of RAM, while an Adreno 630 GPU drives graphics for the 5.5-inch handset.
Apple's top-of-the-line iPhone for 2018 is powered by the new A12 Bionic chip, a six-core system-on-chip with two high-performance cores and four efficiency cores running at a clock speed of 2.49GHz. An integrated Apple-designed four-core GPU crunches graphics data.
Starting with the Geekbench 4 CPU test, iPhone XS Max more than doubles the Pixel 3 in single-core performance with a score of 4,816 points compared to only 2,393. The gap is not as wide in multi-core, but the XS Max still handily beats the Pixel 3 with a score of 11,584 compared to 8,312.
Apple's hardware again outperformed in the Geekbench graphics test, scoring 22,278 points to Google's 13,845 points.
Next up is Antutu's graphics intensive benchmark. The Pixel 3 scored quite well with 284,546 points, but it was unable to compete with the iPhone XS Max, which pegged the needle at 363,687. Looking at the detailed results, the iPhone beat the Pixel 3 in every test except for memory.
Moving onto Antutu's HTML 5 test, the XS Max scored around 35 percent higher than the Pixel 3, with respective results of 46,531 and 34,674.
In Octane 2.0, another browser benchmark, the difference was massive. The XS Max pulled down a score of 43,220, almost three times the Pixel 3's 16,396. This test is a good illustration of Apple's hardware and software optimization.
For our final test, we ran GFXBench OpenGL's 1080p Manhattan Offscreen test. Again, we saw a significantly higher score on the XS Max, which managed 120 frames per second compared to 83fps on the Pixel 3.
Based on these results, there's no doubt that the XS Max is the superior device in terms of performance. The Google Pixel 3 put in an underwhelming performance, one that is in some cases bested by the Galaxy Note 9.
Deals on the iPhone XS Max and Google Pixel 3
If you haven't already ordered Apple's iPhone XS Max, wireless carriers are incentivizing the purchase. Want to get your hands on a new device asap? eBay sellers are also shipping units now.Carrier deals:
- AT&T Wireless: Buy one iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max, get a second $700 off when you add a line.
- Verizon Wireless: Buy an iPhone XS and get a 64GB iPhone XR for free.
- Sprint: Get the 64GB iPhone XS for half off with eligible trade-in and Sprint Flex lease.
- T-Mobile: Save up to $390 on the iPhone XS with an eligible iPhone trade.
AppleInsider will be running through a number of comparisons in the coming days. Download the AppleInsider iOS app and follow us on YouTube so you don't miss out.
Comments
If you want the smartest smartphone you buy a pixel:
It’ll be more interesting to see how much the A series chip smashes the next Snapdragon chip.
There, fixed that for you.
Fortnite can only be run on iPhones and Note 9 right?
That would be the Windows (and later, Android) sheeple.
That we're beating them at their own game, plus have better integration, plus have longer support, plus have better malware protection, plus have higher resale value, plus get the best apps first or exclusively, plus have the best camera, privacy policy, and operating system ... well that's all just icing on the cake.
Bottom line: when it comes to overall value, the iPhone beats everyone. That doesn't mean it's right for absolutely everyone, and that's a great thing -- competition is good -- but the value proposition for anyone considering a premium smartphone is pretty cut-and-dried at this point, and not something that can be successfully argued at present.
It shows the extraordinary effort Apple puts into every facet of the iPhone. From glass, software, chips, battery, cameras, antennas, etc., etc.
And, the syncing of everything across all my devices.
I will never have a Google, MS, Samsung, Amazon, or Facebook device in my home or service on my devices!
I can't wait until Apple makes all my devices look "Anonymous" on the internet!
It's coming!
We already know the A12 Bionic is a beast of a processor and there's no Android smartphone with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 that can beat it in benchmarks. (I wonder how powerful the Snapdragon 850 is.) Still... Even the Snapdragon 845 produces fast app launches and loads of system RAM makes the Pixel 3 snappy enough for most users. App launches on the iPhone are surely not twice as fast but why should anyone normal be counting in milliseconds on either smartphone.
Apple needs to find some 'must have' app that can run smoothly on the A12 but stutters like crazy on the Snapdragon 845. Then some critics might sit up and take notice and possibly even praise Apple for having such a powerful processor in its arsenal. Until then, Apple's SoCs are going to produce yawns for most people. In side by side app launch tests with Android smartphones, the iPhone shows almost no real advantage of having all that power. No matter, the A12 does what it needs to do and does it well which is to provide a quick and fluid user experience and benchmarks be damned.
Google isn't going to be able to sell a huge number of Pixel 3 units, so Apple has nothing to worry about. There are just too many other Android smartphones for Google to compete against. Apple has a lot going for it when it comes to premium smartphones being sold in top-tier countries and the Pixel 3 isn't going to change that.