This Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs A17 Pro analysis compares the two most powerful processors in the market. While both come with high-end configurations and are used in flagship phones, the A17 Pro has a slight edge in terms of performance owing to the better integration of software and hardware.
Qualcomm produces the Snapdragon SoCs that can be found in tons of Android phones, while the A series bionic chips, designed by Apple, are only limited to iPhones. Both processors deliver excellent performance.
In this analysis, we will look at the various key aspects of these processors and try to determine the winner for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs A17 Pro comparison.
NOTE: Parts of this article are subjective and reflect the writer's view.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs A17 Pro: Specs
There are many significant differences that make both chipsets stand out. Before we dive deeper into the evaluation process, let’s have a look at their core specs.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs A17 Pro: Benchmarks
Based on the Nano Review tests, Quallcomm’s latest chipset outperforms the A-17 Pro in AnTuTu and 3D Mark scores. While you will find Apple’s processor to perform well in both, single-core and multiple-core GeekBench testing.
These numbers are good for general comparison. However, the real performance also depends on other factors like software optimization, RAM, storage, and the individual’s use case.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs A17 Pro: Performance and efficiency
Both processors are Arm-based chipsets, however, they have many differentiators under the hood. The Qualcomm chipset has an octa-core design and TSMC’s 4nm process node. 6/8 cores are clocked at 3.0GHz and above. It is said to be 30% faster and 20% more efficient compared to its predecessor.
The A17 Pro is a six-core chip built on TSMC’s 3nm process node. It has two high-performance cores clocking 3.78GHz resulting in exceptional performance and efficiency. It also gets a major improvement in terms of GPU.
Apple has also partnered with multiple developers to get support for its hardware-level Ray Tracing capability, which Snapdragon processors still lack. On the brighter side, Qualcomm is working continuously to improve the GPU. It supports Unreal Engine 5 Lumen Global Illumination and Reflections System, which delivers images similar to console-level graphics.
Talking about ISP, the 8 Gen 3 outclasses the A-17 Pro in almost all the categories. Plus, it also has a slightly better connectivity configuration on paper.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs A17 Pro: Final verdict
Declaring a single winner in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs A17 Pro comparison is quite tricky. But the A-series bionic chip looks slightly better. It is more efficient and offers superior core performance. In addition, Apple’s software and hardware optimization for iPhones leads to a smoother performance.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers optimal performance and also has a better GPU. But it lacks developer support for gaming. The hardware capabilities of the phone also hinder the true potential of the chipset.