Tag: A18 Pro

  • Affordable Apple MacBook leaks: $599 price, mobile SoC, compact size

    Affordable Apple MacBook leaks: $599 price, mobile SoC, compact size

    Key Takeaways

    1. Apple is developing a budget-friendly MacBook priced between $599 and $699, significantly lower than the MacBook Air starting at $999.
    2. The new MacBook is expected to run on an A18 Pro chip, the same chip used in the iPhone 16 Pro models.
    3. A 12.9-inch display is anticipated for this affordable MacBook, following predictions from industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
    4. Mass production of components is projected to begin in the third quarter of 2025, with a possible release in late 2025 or early 2026.
    5. The introduction of this budget MacBook may be a strategy to counteract rising prices due to inflation and provide more affordable options for consumers.

    Apple is reportedly gearing up for an interesting update to the M5 MacBook that might delight its fans. Rumors suggest that the tech giant is working on a budget-friendly MacBook to complement its standard MacBook Air and Pro models. This particular version might run on a mobile System on Chip (SoC).

    Affordable Options Coming Soon

    Digitimes has confirmed the development of this new budget MacBook and has shared several details. The new “ultra-low-cost” MacBook could be priced between $599 and $699, which is significantly lower than the starting price of $999 for the 13.6-inch MacBook Air M4 (available on Amazon).

    How Apple Is Lowering Prices

    So, how is Apple managing to offer such a lower price? It appears to be utilizing a mobile SoC.

    In line with earlier reports, Digitimes states that this affordable MacBook will be equipped with an A18 Pro chip. This is the same chip that powers the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Additionally, Apple is expected to use a 12.9-inch display for this budget-friendly MacBook, aligning with Ming-Chi Kuo’s predictions made in June.

    Production Timeline and Market Strategy

    Digitimes notes that mass production of components for this new MacBook could begin in the third quarter of 2025, which might lead to a release in late 2025 or early 2026. This timeline is consistent with what Ming-Chi Kuo has stated; he also mentioned that production for the affordable MacBook could kick off around the same period.

    So, what’s driving Apple to alter its successful MacBook Air and MacBook Pro strategy? According to Digitimes’ Senior Analyst Jim Hsiao, introducing a MacBook priced at $599-$699 could be a strategy to counterbalance the rising prices of the MacBook Air due to inflation. This could imply that Apple might raise the price of the base MacBook Air M5, prompting them to create a budget option for those who can’t afford the potential $1,000 price tag of the regular MacBook Air.

    Conclusion: A Positive Shift for Consumers

    Regardless of the final outcome, it’s thrilling to hear that Apple is finally looking to reduce MacBook prices. This is an area where Apple has been lacking, as the company doesn’t currently offer a comprehensive MacBook in the $500-$700 range.

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  • MediaTek Dimensity 9400 Beats Apple A18 Pro in GPU Power

    MediaTek Dimensity 9400 Beats Apple A18 Pro in GPU Power

    In a new performance comparison by Golden Reviewer, MediaTek’s latest flagship chipset, the Dimensity 9400, has shown remarkable GPU abilities, possibly creating a new benchmark for graphics performance in high-end Android devices.

    MediaTek Dimensity 9400 vs Apple A18 Pro

    Even though MediaTek has typically lagged behind Apple’s A-series chips and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon family, the Dimensity 9400 is emerging as a strong contender in the GPU sector. The chipset features a 12-core Arm Immortalis-G925 GPU, which displayed both strength and efficiency in various GPU evaluations, outpacing Apple’s A18 Pro GPU in several key areas.

    Detailed breakdown of Golden Reviewer’s tests

    The evaluations focused on the graphics performance of the Dimensity 9400 in comparison to Apple’s A18 Pro, specifically looking at 3DMark benchmarks. In the Solar Bay ray-tracing test, the Dimensity 9400 achieved an impressive score of 11,817 points while consuming 11.4 watts of power. On the other hand, Apple’s A18 Pro scored lower at 8,587, using slightly less power at 11.1 watts. This gives the Dimensity 9400 about a 30% efficiency advantage over the A18 Pro—a notable achievement in a market where Apple typically excels in GPU performance.

    Additional Information on the Dimensity 9400 and A18 Pro

    Other benchmarking tests returned similar results. In 3DMark’s Steel Nomad Light and WildLife Extreme tests, the Dimensity 9400 repeatedly outperformed the A18 Pro while using less energy, showcasing roughly a 40% efficiency edge. These findings highlight the Dimensity 9400’s capability to exceed the A18 Pro in demanding graphics tasks, making it an excellent pick for gaming and other GPU-intensive applications on Android devices.

    The advancements in the Dimensity 9400’s GPU mark a significant upgrade from its earlier model, the Dimensity 9300. Its 12-core Arm Immortalis-G925 GPU brings a 40% improvement in ray-tracing performance and a 41% rise in peak performance. Furthermore, it features MediaTek’s HyperEngine technology, which is intended to enhance super-resolution and visual quality, especially during gaming. This blend of upgrades positions the Dimensity 9400 as a top choice in the premium Android segment, appealing to those who value high-quality graphics and efficient performance.

    Apple’s A18 Pro, although trailing in these specific GPU assessments, is still a powerful chipset. Its six-core GPU presents almost a 40% enhancement over the prior iPhone 15 series, improving its capability for gaming and computational photography. Even with the Dimensity 9400 leading in GPU tests, the A18 Pro continues to hold its ground, particularly regarding overall performance, including CPU efficiency and multitasking skills.

    For an in-depth look at the comparison between the Dimensity 9400 and Apple A18 Pro, check out our comprehensive analysis of both chipsets.

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  • Snapdragon 8 Elite Tops A18 Pro in GPU Performance vs. Dimensity 9400

    Snapdragon 8 Elite Tops A18 Pro in GPU Performance vs. Dimensity 9400

    Qualcomm has introduced the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, which is the new successor to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 flagship SoC designed for smartphones and tablets. Early benchmarks indicate that the Snapdragon 8 Elite is a strong contender against MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400 and Apple’s A18 Pro.

    CPU Performance Insights

    When it comes to CPU performance, the Snapdragon 8 Elite seems to have surpassed Apple’s A18 Pro in multi-core tests. Geekerwan’s review shows that the Snapdragon 8 Elite achieved an impressive score of 10,521 points in Geekbench 6, breaking the 10,000-point mark. However, in single-core performance, the 8 Elite still trails behind Apple’s latest chip, even though it has seen a significant generational improvement.

    GPU Capabilities

    On the GPU front, the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s Adreno GPU shows strong performance. It scored an impressive 18,007 points in Geekbench 6’s OpenCL test, which is notably higher than the approximately 16,000 points achieved by the Dimensity 9400. It’s worth noting that the GPU’s performance can vary based on the thermal characteristics of the smartphone it’s in, so that should be considered.

    Geekerwan’s analysis indicates that the Adreno GPU of the Snapdragon 8 Elite is very close in performance to the Immortalis-G925 found in the Dimensity 9400, with both exhibiting a similar efficiency curve. The Snapdragon’s GPU scored around 2,600 points, putting it well ahead of the A18 Pro, which managed only about 2,100 points while using slightly more power.

    Real-World Gaming Tests

    In practical gaming tests using Honkai Impact 3, the results were consistent. Both the Snapdragon 8 Elite and Dimensity 9400 maintained around 60 FPS at ‘very high’ settings during a 30-minute session, with power use of 6.2 and 6.0 watts respectively. Meanwhile, the A18 Pro achieved only 51.2 FPS while using about 5.5 watts.

    Clearly, Qualcomm’s choice to customize the Snapdragon 8 Elite has proven to be a smart move. The SoC is now not only more powerful but also more efficient than before, having outperformed Apple’s A18 Pro in both GPU and multi-core CPU benchmarks. Nevertheless, Apple still leads in single-core performance and overall CPU efficiency, though the gap has narrowed significantly.

    Geekerwan’s analysis showcases the advancements in mobile processing power.

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  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 Tops Multi-Core, A18 Pro Leads Single-Core

    Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 Tops Multi-Core, A18 Pro Leads Single-Core

    If the latest happenings in the smartphone chip scene are any indication, a major chip competition is on the horizon. Apple took the lead with its A18 Pro SoC, followed closely by MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400 which was introduced this month. Now, everyone is looking forward to Qualcomm, which is set to officially announce its Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 SoC during the Snapdragon Summit event.

    Benchmarks Surface Online

    Benchmarks for all these SoCs have surfaced online, including the unreleased Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, or whatever name Qualcomm decides to give it. As predicted, Apple dominates in single-core performance by a significant margin. In Geekbench 6, the A18 Pro achieves an impressive score of 3,400 points, whereas the Dimensity 9400 scores around 2,800—an improvement over last year’s 9300+, but still far behind Apple. Leaked benchmarks for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 indicate it surpasses the Dimensity 9400 in single-core performance with 3,100 points, yet it still falls short compared to the A18 Pro.

    Multi-Core Scores Flip the Script

    When it comes to multi-core performance, the situation changes quickly. Despite having the fewest cores, the A18 Pro ranks at the bottom with a score of approximately 8,700 points in Geekbench 6. Meanwhile, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 impressively crosses the 10,000-point mark in early leaks, hitting 10,052. The Dimensity 9400 finds its place between Apple’s and Qualcomm’s solutions, scoring just above 9,000 according to a recent assessment by Geekerwan.

    Efficiency Matters Too

    Of course, it wouldn’t be right to evaluate smartphone SoCs without looking at efficiency. According to Geekerwan’s data, Apple’s A18 Pro clearly outperforms the Dimensity 9400 in this area. Given the remarkably high multi-core scores of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, it might not be the most efficient chip, especially since previous Snapdragon models have struggled against Apple concerning CPU efficiency. Nevertheless, this time could be different, but I’m not ready to make any assumptions just yet.

    Geekerwan, Geekbench.

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  • A18 Pro Performance Test: Assassin’s Creed, Death Stranding, RE4

    A18 Pro Performance Test: Assassin’s Creed, Death Stranding, RE4

    Apple has just unveiled the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which comes equipped with the A18 Pro, the company’s most potent chip so far. This new SoC is making waves in the premium smartphone market, showcasing remarkable performance in single-core tasks. Its efficiency also sets it apart from other competitors.

    Gaming Performance Insights

    In a recent video featuring MrMacRight, the gaming strengths of the A18 Pro were showcased. He compared it with the iPhone 15 Pro, which runs on the A17 Pro, across several renowned gaming titles. Some of the games tested included Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Death Stranding, and Resident Evil 4. The evaluation not only focused on performance but also looked at various factors like frame rate stability, thermal management, and memory usage.

    Detailed Game Tests

    When it came to Assassin’s Creed Mirage by Ubisoft, the A18 Pro in the iPhone 16 Pro delivered a stable 30 FPS on high settings, with few frame drops, which is a major step forward compared to the previous model that struggled in demanding scenes. The Metal HUD displayed that the game used around 5.3 GB of RAM, while the iPhone itself maintained a temperature of 44.3 C, which is over 5 degrees cooler than the iPhone 15 Pro.

    Moving on to Death Stranding, the iPhone 16 Pro continued to impress. It not only outperformed the earlier model but also ran cooler. When set to a 60 FPS cap with lower graphics, the iPhone 16 Pro could achieve around 40 FPS, experiencing some drops in more intense parts. Apple’s revamped thermal design seems to be working effectively, showing real gains in performance.

    Performance Challenges

    There’s not much to critique about Resident Evil 4, as the iPhone 16 Pro kept up its reputation for better performance and lower heat. However, issues arose with Resident Evil Village, where both the iPhone 16 Pro and 15 Pro crashed when memory usage hit 6 GB, highlighting a demand for more memory in future models. Nevertheless, the iPhone 16 Pro managed to outpace its predecessor by roughly 10 FPS, although both devices eventually reached their thermal limits.

    In Alien: Isolation, which has recently been optimized for the Metal 3 API, the iPhone 16 Pro Max kept a solid 60 FPS throughout most of the gameplay, with memory usage staying under 2 GB. Similarly, Wreckfest from HandyGames ran smoothly with the A18 Pro, achieving a stable 60 FPS at max settings while only using 1.5 GB of memory, and temperatures were kept at a cool 37.6C.

    MrMacRight via YouTube

    A18 Pro Performance Test: Assassin's Creed, Death Stranding, RE4

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  • A18 Pro Beats Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in CPU Power and Efficiency

    A18 Pro Beats Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in CPU Power and Efficiency

    Apple’s newly released iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro received a mix of reactions, with many considering the flagship series to be a minor upgrade, especially in the absence of Apple Intelligence. The devices are driven by the A18 and A18 Pro chipsets, which show notable enhancements compared to previous models.

    Performance Insights

    Determining if these advancements can hold their ground against the rising competition in the mobile chipset market is challenging. Recent tests show that their performance is close to matching the M1 in CPU evaluations, although they fall short of the rumored Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 SoC in multi-core performance.

    A recent report from Geekerwan offers a more optimistic view of the A18 and A18 Pro. Both processors demonstrate a significant advantage over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the SPEC 2017 CPU benchmark. For example, the performance of the A18 Pro’s P-cores is nearly 42% greater than that of the Cortex-X4 found in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, while only using 8% more power. On the other hand, the E-cores in the A18 Pro are slightly quicker than the Cortex-A720, using nearly 30% less energy.

    Graphics Performance

    When it comes to GPU capabilities, the A18 Pro excels in the 3D Mark’s Steel Nomad Light GPU assessment, easily outperforming all competitors in the market. Although the A18 Pro’s GPU is significantly quicker than its predecessor, the A17 Pro, the improvement in efficiency is less remarkable, leading to higher power consumption alongside its speed.

    In practical gaming scenarios, the A18 Pro performs optimally in the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which is not surprising due to the larger device’s superior thermal management. Apple’s enhancements in thermal control have evidently made a positive impact, enabling better performance stability and cooler temperatures.

    Gaming Performance Comparison

    Specifically, the A18 Pro in the iPhone 16 Pro Max achieved a commendable 55.5 FPS, while the same chipset in the smaller iPhone 16 Pro recorded 49.5 FPS. The iPhone 16 Pro Max slightly surpassed the Dimensity 9300+ in the Vivo X100s and significantly outperformed the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Xiaomi 14 Pro. However, the Redmagic 9S Pro emerged as the leader, achieving an impressive 59.9 FPS, but at the cost of higher power usage. Once again, Apple’s chipsets excel in efficiency.

    Of course, the CPU and GPU performance of smartphones depend on numerous factors, and their significance is not as pronounced as in PCs. While synthetic benchmarks can indicate generational progress, the true usability and quality of a smartphone cannot be fully assessed through lab tests alone. Therefore, only detailed evaluations from experts can provide insight into the actual experience the new flagship iPhones will deliver.

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  • iPhone 16 Series: A18 and A18 Pro CPU Performance Tests Revealed

    iPhone 16 Series: A18 and A18 Pro CPU Performance Tests Revealed

    The iPhone 16 series was launched just a week ago, and multiple reports have emerged regarding the CPU performance of the A18 and A18 Pro, thanks to Geekbench. Initially, these benchmark results came from unknown sources, but with the new models now undergoing hands-on tests, we have more clarity.

    Performance Scores Revealed

    According to Chinese review site Novice Evaluation, the iPhone 16, powered by the A18 chip, achieved a single-core score of 3295 on Geekbench 6.3. In comparison, the iPhone 16 Pro with the A18 Pro scored slightly higher at 3399. For multi-core performance, the A18 scored 8085, while the A18 Pro reached a score of 8408.

    Comparison with Previous Models

    These findings align with earlier reports suggesting that the A18 and A18 Pro provide similar performance levels in terms of CPU capabilities, with the A18 Pro in the higher-end iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max showing a barely noticeable advantage. Notably, the A18 Pro is approximately 15% more powerful than last year’s A17 Pro, while the A18 in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus outperforms the A16 found in the iPhone 15 by as much as 35%.

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  • Apple May Equip New Non-Pro iPhones with Latest Chip Again

    Apple May Equip New Non-Pro iPhones with Latest Chip Again

    Apple is gearing up to unveil the iPhone 16 series in September, and rumors suggest that the non-Pro iPhone 16 models will also feature the latest and most advanced A series chip, the Apple A18 Pro.

    In the past, Apple began implementing older-generation Bionic chips on non-Pro iPhones starting with the iPhone 14 series. The iPhone 15 series saw the introduction of the 'Pro' branding for the chipset in the Pro models.

    A18 Pro Chip in All Models

    According to the latest rumor, even the non-Pro iPhones will be equipped with the newest A-series chip, potentially named A18 Pro. This information comes from @Nicolás Alvarez on X, who found pertinent codes within Apple's backend. These codes indicate that all four iPhone 16 models will incorporate the A18 Pro chip.

    Impact of Apple Intelligence

    The A15 Bionic was previously sufficient to handle the basic functionalities in iOS. However, this is no longer the case. iOS 18 includes Apple Intelligence, necessitating the phone to run certain AI features natively. Though these are deemed basic AI features, the NPUs in older chips lack the capability to execute these tasks efficiently. Consequently, only the Pro models of the iPhone 15 series, equipped with the A17 Pro chip, support Apple Intelligence.

    The A18 Pro chip is rumored to have a more advanced NPU compared to last year's A17 Pro, potentially leading to a significant improvement in AI performance. This could mirror what is currently observed with the iPhone 15 series regarding the implementation of Apple Intelligence. This development might be the reason behind Apple's decision to equip all iPhone 16 models with the new chip.

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  • Alleged Apple A18 Pro Benchmarks Hint at Huge Performance Boosts

    Alleged Apple A18 Pro Benchmarks Hint at Huge Performance Boosts

    Apple has unveiled the A17 Pro processor for the iPhone 15 Pro models, surpassing Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 flagship. The company is now developing the A18 Pro chipset for the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro devices. Recent leaked images on Weibo show different Geekbench scores, giving insights into the performance gap between the A18 Pro and its predecessor.

    Alleged A18 Pro Geekbench Scores Comparison

    In the initial Weibo post, since deleted, the purported A18 Pro achieves 3,570 and 9,310 points in Geekbench 6’s single-core and multi-core tests, indicating a 22% and 28% boost over the A17 Pro. Similarly, in Geekbench 5, the A18 Pro secures 2,571 and 7,359 points, representing a 20% and 38% performance increase over the A17 Pro.

    Closer Look at A18 Pro Benchmark Results

    According to the second post detailing the A18 Pro’s benchmark results, the upcoming chipset’s performance aligns more closely with the A17 Pro. It scored 2,822 and 8,571 points in Geekbench 6, and 2,517 and 7,359 points in single-core and multi-core tests within the benchmarking platform.

    Anticipated A18 Pro Features and Specifications

    The Weibo user sharing these benchmark scores acknowledges that final performance expectations hinge on how Apple and other companies optimize their chipsets to deliver peak performance while maintaining power efficiency. The A18 Pro is anticipated to be built on TSMC’s 3nm process, likely featuring two high-powered CPU cores and six low-powered cores.

    Alleged Apple A18 Pro Benchmarks Hint at Huge Performance Boosts
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  • A18 Pro: Apple’s Upcoming Improvement in Single-Core Performance

    A18 Pro: Apple’s Upcoming Improvement in Single-Core Performance

    Apple A18 Pro Outperforms A17 Pro in Geekbench 6 Score

    Apple's upcoming A18 Pro chip has been making headlines recently, as some leaked Geekbench 6 scores reveal its impressive performance. Compared to its predecessor, the A17 Pro, the A18 Pro shows significant improvements in single-core performance.

    Apple A18 Pro Geekbench 6 Score

    According to rumors, Apple plans to use the A18 system-on-a-chip (SOC) in all models of the highly anticipated iPhone 16 series. This is exciting news for potential buyers, especially those who were disappointed with the lack of processor upgrades in the iPhone 15 and 14 models. Both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 14 Pro Max were equipped with the A16 Bionic SOC, which is the same as the previous generation.

    Now, with the emergence of the A18 Pro's Geekbench 6 score, we get a glimpse of what the next generation of iPhones will offer in terms of performance.

    Improved Single-Core Performance

    The Geekbench 6 results for the Apple A18 Pro are quite impressive. It scored 3500 on the single-core test and 8200 on the multi-core test. In comparison, the A17 Pro only managed to score 2906 on the single-core test and 7231 on the multi-core test. These numbers indicate a significant boost in single-core performance for the A18 Pro.

    Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 vs. Apple A18 Pro

    Interestingly, a leaked Geekbench 6 result for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip has also surfaced recently. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 scored 2985 on the single-core test and 10762 on the multi-core test, showcasing impressive multi-core performance. This puts it in close competition with Apple's M3 chip.

    Devices equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 are expected to hit the market in the fourth quarter of this year. The comparison between the highly anticipated Apple A18 Pro and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will be particularly interesting, as it will determine which chip will dominate in 2025.

    In conclusion, the leaked Geekbench 6 scores for the Apple A18 Pro chip reveal its improved single-core performance compared to its predecessor, the A17 Pro. With Apple rumored to incorporate the A18 Pro in the iPhone 16 series, users can look forward to a significant boost in overall performance. However, the competition from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip will undoubtedly make the battle for chip dominance in 2025 an exciting one to watch.

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