Apple A8X vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+

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CPU comparison with benchmarks


Apple A8X CPU1 vs CPU2 Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+
Apple A8X Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+

CPU comparison

In this CPU comparison, we compare the Apple A8X and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ and use benchmarks to check which processor is faster.

We compare the Apple A8X 3 core processor released in Q3/2014 with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ which has 8 CPU cores and was introduced in Q3/2020.
Apple A series (22) Family Qualcomm Snapdragon (102)
Apple A8/A8X (2) CPU group Qualcomm Snapdragon 865/870 (3)
8 Generation 7
A8 Architecture Kryo 585
Mobile Segment Mobile
Apple A6X Predecessor --
Apple A9X Successor --

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Apple A8X is a 3 core processor with a clock frequency of 1.50 GHz. The processor can compute 3 threads at the same time. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ clocks with 3.10 GHz, has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.

Apple A8X Characteristic Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+
3 Cores 8
3 Threads 8
normal Core architecture hybrid (Prime / big.LITTLE)
No Hyperthreading No
No Overclocking ? No
1.50 GHz
3x Typhoon
A-Core 3.10 GHz
1x Kryo 585 Prime
-- B-Core 2.42 GHz
3x Kryo 585 Gold
-- C-Core 1.80 GHz
4x Kryo 585 Silver

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Processors with the support of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors. Algorithms for ML improve their performance the more data they have collected via software. ML tasks can be processed up to 10,000 times faster than with a classic processor.

Apple A8X Characteristic Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+
-- AI hardware Qualcomm AI engine
-- AI specifications Hexagon 698 @ 15 TOPS

Internal Graphics

Graphics (iGPU) integrated into the processor not only enable image output without having to rely on a dedicated graphics solution, but can also efficiently accelerate video playback.

Apple A8X GPU Qualcomm Adreno 650
0.45 GHz GPU frequency 0.25 GHz
-- GPU (Turbo) 0.67 GHz
5 GPU Generation 6
20 nm Technology 7 nm
1 Max. displays 1
32 Compute units 2
256 Shader 512
No Hardware Raytracing No
No Frame Generation No
2 GB Max. GPU Memory --
-- DirectX Version 12.0

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.

Apple A8X GPU Qualcomm Adreno 650
No Codec h265 / HEVC (8 bit) Decode / Encode
No Codec h265 / HEVC (10 bit) Decode / Encode
Decode Codec h264 Decode / Encode
No Codec VP9 Decode / Encode
No Codec VP8 Decode / Encode
No Codec AV1 No
Decode Codec AVC Decode
Decode Codec VC-1 Decode
Decode / Encode Codec JPEG Decode / Encode

Memory & PCIe

Up to 2 GB of memory in a maximum of 1 memory channels is supported by the Apple A8X, while the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ supports a maximum of 16 GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of 44.0 GB/s enabled.

Apple A8X Characteristic Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+
LPDDR3-1600 Memory LPDDR5-5500, LPDDR4X-4266
2 GB Max. Memory 16 GB
1 (Single Channel) Memory channels 4 (Quad Channel)
12.8 GB/s Max. Bandwidth 44.0 GB/s
No ECC No
2.00 MB L2 Cache 2.00 MB
4.00 MB L3 Cache 3.00 MB
-- PCIe version --
-- PCIe lanes --
-- PCIe Bandwidth --

Thermal Management

The Apple A8X has a TDP of 8 W. The TDP of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ is 10 W. System integrators use the TDP of the processor as a guide when dimensioning the cooling solution.

Apple A8X Characteristic Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+
8 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 10 W
-- TDP (PL2) --
-- TDP up --
-- TDP down --
-- Tjunction max. --

Technical details

The Apple A8X has 6.00 MB cache and is manufactured in 20 nm. The cache of Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ is at 5.00 MB. The processor is manufactured in 7 nm.

Apple A8X Characteristic Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+
20 nm Technology 7 nm
Chiplet Chip design Chiplet
Armv8-A (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) Armv8-A (64 bit)
-- ISA extensions --
-- Socket --
None Virtualization None
No AES-NI No
iOS Operating systems Android
Q3/2014 Release date Q3/2020
-- Release price --
show more data show more data


Rate these processors

Here you can rate the Apple A8X to help other visitors make their purchasing decisions. The average rating is 5.0 stars (3 ratings). Rate now:
Here you can rate the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ to help other visitors make their purchasing decisions. The average rating is 4.0 stars (2 ratings). Rate now:


Average performance in benchmarks

⌀ Single core performance in 2 CPU benchmarks
Apple A8X (37%)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ (100%)
⌀ Multi core performance in 2 CPU benchmarks
Apple A8X (32%)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ (100%)

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Geekbench 5 is a cross plattform benchmark that heavily uses the systems memory. A fast memory will push the result a lot. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.
Apple A8X Apple A8X
3C 3T @ 1.50 GHz
386 (39%)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+
8C 8T @ 3.10 GHz
985 (100%)

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Geekbench 5 is a cross plattform benchmark that heavily uses the systems memory. A fast memory will push the result a lot. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.
Apple A8X Apple A8X
3C 3T @ 1.50 GHz
1075 (33%)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+
8C 8T @ 3.10 GHz
3275 (100%)

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Geekbench 6 is a benchmark for modern computers, notebooks and smartphones. What is new is an optimized utilization of newer CPU architectures, e.g. based on the big.LITTLE concept and combining CPU cores of different sizes. The single-core benchmark only evaluates the performance of the fastest CPU core, the number of CPU cores in a processor is irrelevant here.
Apple A8X Apple A8X
3C 3T @ 1.50 GHz
427 (34%)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+
8C 8T @ 3.10 GHz
1248 (100%)

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Geekbench 6 is a benchmark for modern computers, notebooks and smartphones. What is new is an optimized utilization of newer CPU architectures, e.g. based on the big.LITTLE concept and combining CPU cores of different sizes. The multi-core benchmark evaluates the performance of all of the processor's CPU cores. Virtual thread improvements such as AMD SMT or Intel's Hyper-Threading have a positive impact on the benchmark result.
Apple A8X Apple A8X
3C 3T @ 1.50 GHz
959 (31%)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+
8C 8T @ 3.10 GHz
3129 (100%)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

The theoretical computing performance of the internal graphics unit of the processor with simple accuracy (32 bit) in GFLOPS. GFLOPS indicates how many billion floating point operations the iGPU can perform per second.
Apple A8X Apple A8X
Apple A8X @ 0.45 GHz
230 (16%)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+
Qualcomm Adreno 650 @ 0.67 GHz
1418 (100%)

AnTuTu 9 Benchmark

The AnTuTu 9 benchmark is very well suited to measuring the performance of a smartphone. AnTuTu 9 is quite heavy on 3D graphics and can now also use the "Metal" graphics interface. In AnTuTu, memory and UX (user experience) are also tested by simulating browser and app usage. AnTuTu version 9 can compare any ARM CPU running on Android or iOS. Devices may not be directly comparable when benchmarked on different operating systems.

In the AnTuTu 9 benchmark, the single-core performance of a processor is only slightly weighted. The rating is made up of the multi-core performance of the processor, the speed of the working memory, and the performance of the internal graphics.
Apple A8X Apple A8X
3C 3T @ 1.50 GHz
0 (0%)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+
8C 8T @ 3.10 GHz
716498 (100%)

AnTuTu 8 Benchmark

The AnTuTu 8 Benchmark measures the performance of a SoC. AnTuTu benchmarks the CPU, GPU, Memory as well as the UX (User Experience) by simulating browser and app usage. AnTuTu can benchmark any ARM CPU that runs under Android or iOS. Devices may not be directly compareable if the benchmark has been performed under different operating systems.

In the AnTuTu 8 benchmark, the single-core performance of a processor is only slightly weighted. The evaluation consists of the multi-core performance of the processor, the speed of the RAM and the performance of the internal graphics.
Apple A8X Apple A8X
3C 3T @ 1.50 GHz
0 (0%)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+
8C 8T @ 3.10 GHz
616032 (100%)

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Some of the CPUs listed below have been benchmarked by CPU-monkey. However the majority of CPUs have not been tested and the results have been estimated by a CPU-monkey’s secret proprietary formula. As such they do not accurately reflect the actual Passmark CPU mark values and are not endorsed by PassMark Software Pty Ltd.
Apple A8X Apple A8X
3C 3T @ 1.50 GHz
2356 (100%)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+
8C 8T @ 3.10 GHz
0 (0%)

Performance for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)

Processors with the support of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors. The performance is given in the number (trillions) of arithmetic operations per second (TOPS).
Apple A8X Apple A8X
3C 3T @ 1.50 GHz
0 (0%)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+
8C 8T @ 3.10 GHz
15 (100%)

Devices using this processor

Apple A8X Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+
Apple iPad Air 2 Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 T870
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 T875
ASUS ZenFone 7 Pro
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold

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