- Snapdragon 8 Elite (Gen 4) and A18 Pro lead in power and efficiency
- Dimensity 9400+ stands out for its thermal stability during long sessions.
- AnTuTu and Geekbench measure different things: interpret their numbers in context.
If you're lost between chip names and synthetic test figures, this is the place for you. Here we gather in a single article everything that matters about the best cell phone processors according to AnTuTu and Geekbench, with clear context and no smoke.
In addition to sorting and comparing, we explain why a mobile SoC is special, what's different compared to a PC processor, and how to interpret these differences. benchmarks without falling into the usual traps. The idea is that, after reading, you'll be clear about what to choose for gaming: AI, autonomy, or sustained performance.
Why a mobile processor isn't like the one in your PC
On mobile, everything revolves around two priorities: energy efficiency and immediate responseThis requires designing chips that wake up the screen instantly, process photos and video in real time, and manage sensors and networks without increasing power consumption.
While the PC is oriented to general-purpose tasks, a smartphone distributes loads between high-performance cores and other more economical ones, which results in a very agile in specific tasks even if its watts are limited.
For pure battery and dissipation, mobile SoCs are betting on Arm architectures instead of x86. This allows designs with reduced instruction set and a lot of efficiency, just what a pocket-sized device needs.
Arm architecture and big.LITTLE schematics
Mobile SoCs use Arm with powerful and efficient core combinations, what many call big.LITTLE across multi-core processorsThe system assigns heavy tasks to the larger cores and sends light tasks to the smaller ones to extend battery life.
Arm doesn't make chips; it designs cores that are then integrated by companies like Qualcomm, MediaTek, Apple, or Google, and that end up being produced by foundries like TSMC or SamsungThis separation streamlines innovation and availability.
What is a SoC and what does it integrate?
A SoC is literally a 'system on a chip': combines CPU, GPU, modem, camera ISP, AI NPU, security, sensor drivers, and often, the memory on the same silicon.
This approach compacts functions that were previously spread across multiple chips on the motherboard, reducing latency and improving power consumption. In current mobile phones, everything travels integrated to squeeze every milliwatt and every millimeter.
How to read AnTuTu and Geekbench without making mistakes
AnTuTu measures a bit of everything (CPU, GPU, memory, user experience) and offers a overall scoreGeekbench separates single- and multi-core loads and simulates more everyday tasks, such as video filters or blurring in video calls.
Keep these notes in mind when comparing: Metrics are not identical across platforms (Metal on iOS, Vulkan on Android), the lists show only popular models updated monthly, scores are averages of real devices, and the global ranking usually excludes China.
The current podium in raw performance
Among the top Androids, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (Gen 4) It marks very high figures in AnTuTu v10 (around 2.743.000) and Geekbench 6 (around 3.155 single-core and 9.723 multi-core), with a good speed/temperature balance although with stability that can drop up to 49% under prolonged stress.
In the Apple orbit, the Pro A18 It sets the benchmark for power and efficiency, with CPU and GPU improvements over the A17 Pro and lower power consumption. Representative Geekbench 6 figures show scores above 3.400 for single-core and 8.500 for multi-core, and AnTuTu clearly exceeds 1,8 million.
MediaTek has taken a leap forward with the Dimensity 9400 and 9400+ (3 nm), combining Cortex X925/X4 and A720 cores, with Geekbench 6 around 2.9K/9K (mono/multi) and AnTuTu above 2,87 million. The 9400+ stands out for maintaining better thermal stability (≈58%) during long sessions.
Samsung with Exynos 2400 signature in AnTuTu ≈1.769.000 and Geekbench 6 around 2.193/6.895 (mono/multi), behind the 8 Elite in CPU and GPU, but with good consumption balance.
Google prioritizes AI and computational photography with G4 tensioner (≈1.291.000 in AnTuTu and Geekbench and GPU figures lower than the top of the range), focusing on efficiency, experience and proprietary features rather than synthetic records.
The latest in mobile gaming
If you want maximum FPS in titles like PUBG or Genshin, the winning trio that appears in 3DMark comparisons places the best option as Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, followed by Snapdragon 8 Elite (Gen 4) and a surprising Xiaomi Xring O1 as a third alternative.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 boasts an Adreno 840 GPU, frequencies of up to 5 GHz, a modem with peak speeds of 5.000 Mbps and memory support up to 32 GB, a set designed to demanding games without bottlenecks.
The best Android processor right now
In pure Android performance and maturity, the top three are divided between Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 For reference, Snapdragon 8 Elite (Gen 4) is the second closest in terms of numbers and MediaTek Dimension 9400+ for balance and sustained stability.
All of them perform very well in AnTuTu/Geekbench, with differences in dissipation and consistency under stress. With the same thermal design, you'll see that the 9400+ and 8 Elite (Gen 4) they endure long sessions better than other very aggressive chips.
Snapdragon and MediaTek: How their rankings look
Qualcomm maintains its historic leadership among Android manufacturers. If you're looking for the most powerful in its catalog, the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 tops its table for GPU, modem and frequencies.
MediaTek has gone from 'alternative' to premium option. At home, the Dimension 9400+ It is ranked number one for scores, 3 nm efficiency and thermal stability, which is unusual in such high figures.
Data sheet and comparisons of specific chips
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen3
Eight cores on TSMC's 4nm processor with one 'Prime' core at 3,3GHz, five performance cores at 3,0–3,2GHz, and two efficiency cores at 2,3GHz. It integrates Hexagon NPU for AI, Adreno GPU for 8K gaming and up to 240 FPS, 5G modem up to 10 Gbps and the Snapdragon Sight suite for computational photography.
It's not number one in all benchmarks, but as Complete SoC for top-of-the-range Android (S24 Ultra, ROG Phone 8 Pro) is very well-rounded and has great developer support.
Apple A17 Pro
Manufactured at 3 nm by TSMC with two performance cores at 3,78 GHz and four efficiency cores at 2,11. In Geekbench it usually overtake in CPU to the 8 Gen 3, although in AnTuTu it is behind due to how the test weights GPU/memory.
The NPU (Neural Engine) accelerates AI, Face ID, and photo functions. It uses Qualcomm's X70 modem, below the X75 that accompanies the 8 Gen 3 in 5G connectivity.
Apple A16 Bionic
At 4 nm and with the Everest/Sawtooth pair, it maintains a raw performance close to the A17 Pro. It improves in caches and LPDDR5 memory compared to the A15 and maintains a great power/consumption balance in the previous high-end range.
MediaTek Dimensity 9300
Design with 4 Cortex X4 at 3,25 GHz and 4 A720 at 2,0, 4 nm TSMC, 12-core GPU and NPU capable of moving generative models of 33.000 billion parameters. In tests it shines at peak, but thermal throttling appears earlier than in 8 Gen 3, so sustained performance usually favors Qualcomm.
Google Tensor G3
Focused on AI and photography for Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, with its own TPU and a design focused more on experiences than the highest number. For Google apps and computational photography It performs wonderfully; in intensive games it gets hot and doesn't compete with the top benchmarks.
2025 Selection: Elite, A18, Exynos, Dimensity and Tensor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (Gen 4): Two high-performance Oryon chips at 4,32 GHz and six efficient Oryon chips at 3,53 GHz. In AnTuTu 10, it exceeds 2,74 million; in Geekbench 6, it's around 3.155/9.723. Cutting-edge Android performance with care under prolonged stress.
Apple A18 and A18 Pro: The A18 has a 30% faster CPU than its predecessors, with lower power consumption and a GPU that is up to 40% faster than the A16. The A18 Pro (≈3.582/8.500 in Geekbench 6) leads the way. efficiency and fluidity for games, photography and autonomy.
Samsung Exynos 2400: X4 at 3,21 GHz inside a ten-core CPU. AnTuTu ≈1.769.000 and Geekbench 6 ≈2.193/6.895. Behind 8 Elite in raw, but with good balance overall and solid value.
MediaTek Dimensity 9400/9400+: X925 at 3,73GHz, three X4s at 3,3GHz, and four A720s at 2,4GHz on 3nm. Geekbench 6 ≈2.878/8.969 and up to ≈2.927/9.000; AnTuTu 10 exceeds 2,87 million. The 9400+ maintains better stability than 8 Elite in stress.
Google Tensor G4: X4 at 3,1 GHz with A720 and A520 oriented towards efficiency and AI for Pixel 9. AnTuTu ≈1,29 million and Geekbench multicore below the limits. He doesn't seek records, yes camera experiences and on-device features.
Top mobiles by Geekbench: who leads
In recent Geekbench listings, the ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra It appears above both in one and several cores, a terminal of pure power.
The Galaxy S24Ultra It remains among the best of 2024 for performance and a polished One UI; the S24+ alternates better results from single-core with Snapdragon and multi-core with Exynos, a curiosity about those combinations.
El Xiaomi 14 Pro enters strongly with CPU scores that already compete with desktop benchmarks, and the Vivo X90 Pro+ appears further down with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, illustrating how much it has evolved the high-end.
Key Notes on Comparisons and Lists
Remember that AnTuTu and Geekbench are not identical between platforms (Metal vs Vulkan), they show popular models and the values are real averages, not the absolute peak. Global listings typically exclude China for consistency.
The evolution of the Apple A-series (A10 to A18 Pro)
A10 Fusion (2016): Quad-core with a big.LITTLE focus (Hurricane and Zephyr), 16nm TSMC process, and around 3,28 billion transistors. In Geekbench 6 it's around 878/1.319 and AnTuTu 10 is around 398.082, modest figures today but still functional for basic tasks. For context on generations, see generations of processors.
A11 Bionic (2017): Six cores (Monsoon/Mistral) and first Neural Engine. Up to 25% improvement in single-core over A10 and a huge leap in multi-core. In 2025, ≈1.087/2.346 are seen in Geekbench 6 and ≈486.501 in AnTuTu 10, with casual gaming viable.
A12 Bionic (2018): First 7nm, 6,9 billion transistors, Vortex/Tempest and octa-core NE. In current tests ≈700.191 in AnTuTu 10 and 1.292/2.837 in Geekbench 6. Noticeable improvement in AI and efficiency.
A13 Bionic (2019): 7nm N7P, 8,5 billion transistors, Lightning/Thunder cores, and a more efficient GPU. It boosts graphics and ML with AMX blocks, while maintaining a fluid experience in modern apps.
A14 Bionic (2020): First 5nm, 11,8 billion transistors, Firestorm/Icestorm and 16-core NE (11 TOPS). Geekbench 6 around 2.171 mono and 5.064 multi, with support 5G and a good jump in GPU.
A15 Bionic (2021): 5nm N5P, 15 billion transistors, Avalanche/Blizzard and larger caches. In AnTuTu 10 ≈1,299M and Geekbench 6 ≈2.332/5.736; 16-core NE at 15,8 TOPS and great efficiency.
A16 Bionic (2022): 4nm N4P, 16 billion transistors, Everest/Sawtooth, LPDDR5 and GPU/NE improvements (17 TOPS). Very solid in autonomy and with better bandwidth from memory.
A17 Pro (2023): first 3nm, 19 billion transistors, hardware ray tracing, NE at 35 TOPS and ≈1,533M in AnTuTu 10; Geekbench 6 ≈2.953/7.441. It represents a jump in graphics and connectivity (USB 3.2).
A18 Pro (2024): Six cores with peaks of 4,05 GHz, 15% more CPU vs A17 Pro and 20% less consumption, 40% faster GPU with accelerated RT and Geekbench 6 around 3.461/8.546. Current benchmark in power and efficiency.
Recommendations by usage profile
Competitive gaming: Look for the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 or 8 Elite (Gen 4) for their GPU and FPS spikes, or a Dimensity 9400+ if you prioritize sustained stability long term in intense sessions.
Photo, video, and AI: The A18 Pro and A17 Pro are safe bets thanks to their NE and image pipelines; on Android, Tensor G4 stands out if you prioritize chamber experiences and on-device functions.
Performance/autonomy balance: Exynos 2400 and Dimensity 9400 perform outstandingly; if you want ecosystem and third-party support, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is still the best. very complete.
Budget and lifespan: On the iPhone, the A12 to A15 offer a good compromise between price, performance, and years of support; on Android, the high-end 2023–2024 models with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3 are still a good fit. smart shopping.
With all the above, you can now choose wisely: if you're looking for the pure record, look at the Elite/A18 Pro; if you prioritize long sessions, focus on 9400+; if you value photography/AI and ecosystem, A18 Pro or Tensor; and if you want an 'all-terrain' Android, 8 Gen 3 continues to be a safe bet.
Table of Contents
- Why a mobile processor isn't like the one in your PC
- How to read AnTuTu and Geekbench without making mistakes
- The current podium in raw performance
- The latest in mobile gaming
- The best Android processor right now
- Snapdragon and MediaTek: How their rankings look
- Data sheet and comparisons of specific chips
- 2025 Selection: Elite, A18, Exynos, Dimensity and Tensor
- Top mobiles by Geekbench: who leads
- Key Notes on Comparisons and Lists
- The evolution of the Apple A-series (A10 to A18 Pro)
- Recommendations by usage profile