Three chips. Three companies. Three completely different philosophies. And one question that every tech enthusiast, smartphone buyer, and mobile-AI researcher wants answered in 2026: which chipset is actually the best? Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is the undisputed Android performance king, shipping inside Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, OnePlus 15, Xiaomi 17 Ultra, iQOO 15, and dozens of other flagships. Apple's A19 Pro — powering iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max — rewrote single-core history by beating AMD's Ryzen 9 9950X desktop CPU in Geekbench single-thread, while delivering GPU performance comparable to Apple's own M2 chip. And Google's Tensor G6, built on TSMC's cutting-edge 2nm N2 process inside the Pixel 11, bets its future on AI efficiency, on-device Gemini, and revolutionary power savings rather than raw speed. Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 wins multi-core CPU by 25% over Apple. Apple A19 Pro wins single-core by a razor-thin margin. Tensor G6 wins process node (2nm beats both 3nm rivals) and battery endurance. This is the definitive, benchmark-backed, jargon-free comparison. Every spec. Every score. Every winner. Let's begin.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
Qualcomm · TSMC 3nm N3P
Galaxy S26 Ultra · OnePlus 15
Xiaomi 17 Ultra · iQOO 15
Xiaomi 17 Ultra · iQOO 15
Google Tensor G6
Google · TSMC 2nm N2
Pixel 11 · Pixel 11 Pro
Pixel 11 Pro XL · Pixel 11 Pro Fold
Pixel 11 Pro XL · Pixel 11 Pro Fold
Apple A19 Pro
Apple · TSMC 3nm N3P
iPhone 17 Pro · iPhone 17 Pro Max
iPhone Air
iPhone Air
Quick Answer for Busy Readers: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 wins raw performance (AnTuTu, multi-core, GPU gaming). Apple A19 Pro wins single-core speed and sustained performance (up to 40% better thermal endurance). Tensor G6 wins power efficiency (2nm process, 30% better than G5) and on-device AI integration. No single chip wins everything — read on to understand which one is right for you.
Manufacturing Process and Architecture
The foundation of every smartphone chip is its manufacturing process. The smaller the node, the more transistors packed into the same space — meaning better performance per watt.
| Specification | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Tensor G6 | Apple A19 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Qualcomm | Apple | |
| Foundry | TSMC | TSMC | TSMC |
| Process Node | 3nm (N3P) | 2nm (N2) | 3nm (N3P) |
| CPU Architecture | Custom Oryon Gen 3 (Arm-based) | ARM Cortex (X930 + A730 + A530) | Apple custom (2P + 4E) |
| CPU Core Count | 8 (2+6, no efficiency cores) | 8 (1+6+1) | 6 (2+4) |
| Prime Core Clock | 4.61 GHz | ~3.8 GHz (X930) | 4.26 GHz |
| GPU | Adreno 840 | Imagination CXTP-3 (3-core, 1.1GHz) | Apple GPU (6-core, Apple10 arch) |
| AI Processor | Hexagon NPU (70 TOPS) | Main TPU + Nano-TPU | 16-core Neural Engine + Neural Accelerators |
| RAM Type | LPDDR5X | LPDDR5X | LPDDR5X (9600 MT/s) |
| RAM Speed | 5300 MHz (84.8 GB/s bandwidth) | LPDDR5X | 9600 MT/s (76.8 GB/s bandwidth) |
| Modem | Snapdragon X85 (12.5 Gbps down) | MediaTek M90 (12 Gbps down) | Apple C1X / Qualcomm (varies by model) |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 (FastConnect 7900) | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 (Apple N1 chip) |
Process Node Winner: Tensor G6 (2nm)
Google's decision to jump directly to TSMC's 2nm N2 process — while both Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and Apple A19 Pro use 3nm N3P — gives the Tensor G6 a structural efficiency advantage. TSMC's 2nm delivers 10-15% better performance at the same power budget compared to 3nm, and up to 30% better power efficiency at the same performance level. This is why Tensor G6 delivers 30% better battery life than Tensor G5 despite similar performance. However, being on a newer node does not guarantee faster performance overall — Apple's custom CPU cores and Qualcomm's Oryon V3 design still win in raw computational throughput.
CPU Performance Benchmarks
Raw CPU performance separates entry-level chips from true flagships. We compare using the industry-standard Geekbench 6 benchmark, which simulates real-world tasks including image processing, machine learning, and physics calculations.
Geekbench 6 Single-Core (Higher is Better)
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core (Higher is Better)
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 CPU Analysis: The third-generation Oryon V3 CPU cores are Qualcomm's greatest engineering achievement. With 2x Prime cores at 4.61GHz and 6x Performance cores at 3.62GHz — and no low-efficiency cores dragging down the average — the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 delivers 65% better multi-core performance than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in just two years. Its multi-core score of 10,682 beats Apple A19 Pro by 25% and remains within arm's reach of Apple's M4 laptop chip.
Apple A19 Pro CPU Analysis: Apple's single-core dominance is legendary. At 3,895 points in Geekbench 6 single-core, the A19 Pro beats every Android chip and even outpaces AMD's Ryzen 9 9950X desktop processor — a staggering result from a mobile chip running on battery power. Apple's custom CPU design achieves this through superior IPC (instructions-per-clock) and 40% better sustained performance enabled by a dedicated vapor chamber cooling system laser-welded into the aluminum unibody. Where Apple falls behind is multi-core: with only 6 cores vs. Snapdragon's 8, the A19 Pro scores 9,746 multi-core — strong but 9% behind Snapdragon.
Tensor G6 CPU Analysis: Google's Tensor chips have historically struggled with raw CPU performance, and Tensor G6 continues this pattern. The shift to ARM Cortex-X930 prime core (up from X4 in G5) and six A730 performance cores brings meaningful improvement, but leaked internal projections and external analyses show Tensor G6 trailing both Apple and Qualcomm in Geekbench scores. The 15% improvement over G5 and 30% efficiency gain are real and impactful, but Google's CPU is not designed to win benchmarks — it is optimized to run AI models efficiently on-device without draining the battery.
AnTuTu Overall Performance (Higher is Better)
AnTuTu Caveat: AnTuTu scores between Android (Snapdragon, Tensor) and iOS (Apple) are not directly comparable. The benchmark runs differently on each platform due to OS-level optimizations. Snapdragon's 3.7 million+ score reflects Android's AnTuTu implementation. The meaningful comparison is Geekbench 6, which runs identical tests across platforms.
GPU Performance Gaming and Graphics
GPU matters for gaming, video editing, computational photography, and increasingly, AI inference tasks that run on the GPU rather than the NPU.
| Test | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Tensor G6 | Apple A19 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3DMark Wild Life Extreme (High Score) | 7,240 pts | ~3,500 pts (est.) | ~6,500 pts (est.) |
| 3DMark Solar Bay (Ray Tracing) | ~30 fps | Limited RT | 46.4 fps 👑 |
| Geekbench Metal (GPU) | ~40,000 pts (est.) | N/A (Android) | 45,657 pts 👑 |
| GPU Architecture | Adreno 840 (23% faster than 830) | Imagination CXTP-3 (3-core) | Apple10 (6-core, doubled FP16) |
| Ray Tracing | Yes (hardware RT) | Limited | Yes (hardware RT, 27% ahead of Snapdragon) |
| Gaming Benchmark | Best for sustained Android gaming | Weakest in class | Best overall GPU 👑 |
GPU Bombshell: Apple A19 Pro scored 45,657 in Geekbench Metal — a score comparable to Apple's M2 chip found in MacBook Air and iPad Pro. In ray tracing (Solar Bay), the A19 Pro posts 46.4fps, beating the Snapdragon 8 Elite (which scored ~33fps) by 27%. The Apple10 GPU architecture doubles FP16 performance vs. previous generations and integrates Neural Accelerators in each GPU core for on-device AI acceleration. This is the biggest GPU leap from Apple in years.
Snapdragon Gaming Throne: For sustained Android gaming, the Adreno 840 remains the gold standard. Its 23% performance improvement and 20% power reduction over Adreno 830 deliver the best gaming experience in Android, with rock-solid frame rates in demanding titles at maximum settings. Qualcomm's Adreno also has the best ecosystem: GameFast feature from OEMs, extensive game developer optimization, and adaptive resolution tools. Thermal stability is the challenge — the iQOO 15's 3DMark stability was only 44.5%, highlighting that software implementation matters.
Tensor GPU Weakness: The Imagination CXTP-3 GPU in Tensor G6 is the weakest of the three. Ironically, despite Google using the most advanced manufacturing process (2nm), it chose an older, lower-performance GPU. This is a deliberate trade-off: Tensor chips prioritize AI and efficiency over gaming. The result is that Pixel 11 is excellent for photography and AI tasks but noticeably behind in gaming benchmarks.
AI Performance The Core Battleground of 2026
In 2026, the most important number on a mobile chipset is not GHz or GPU frame rates — it is AI capability. Every phone manufacturer is racing to run larger AI models on-device for privacy, speed, and offline availability.
| AI Feature | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Tensor G6 | Apple A19 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| NPU / AI Processor | Hexagon NPU 7th Gen | Main TPU + Nano-TPU | 16-core Neural Engine + GPU Neural Accelerators |
| NPU Performance | 70 TOPS (37% faster than prev. gen) | TBD — purpose-built for Gemini Nano | ~35-40 TOPS (Neural Engine + Accelerators) |
| AI Token Generation | ~220 tokens/sec (on-device LLM) | Optimized for Gemini Nano (Google claims efficiency lead) | Strong (Apple Intelligence, Siri on-device) |
| Always-On AI | Hexagon Sensing Hub (low-power) | Nano-TPU (dedicated always-on) | Neural Accelerators in GPU cores |
| AI Model Support | Llama 3.1 8B, Gemini Nano, various | Gemini Nano (Google-exclusive integration) | Apple Intelligence, on-device Siri, local LLMs |
| Generative AI | EdgeFusion (1s image generation) | Gemini multimodal, Video Generation ML | Apple Intelligence (writing, images, Siri) |
| Privacy Approach | On-device preferred, cloud option | On-device priority (Nano-TPU) | On-device first, Private Cloud Compute |
The Three AI Philosophies
Snapdragon's Approach — Raw AI Firepower: Qualcomm's Hexagon NPU at 70 TOPS (37% faster than previous gen) is the highest raw AI compute in an Android chip. The Sensing Hub enables always-on context awareness at near-zero battery cost. Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra uses the Snapdragon to run EdgeFusion (1-second on-device image generation) and advanced Galaxy AI features. At ~220 tokens/second for on-device LLM inference, it can run 8B parameter models like Llama 3.1 in real-time, enabling agentic AI workflows.
Tensor's Approach — AI Efficiency Specialist: Google does not publish TOPS numbers for Tensor G6, and deliberately so. Tensor chips are not built to win AI benchmarks — they are built to run Google's specific AI models (Gemini Nano, Call Screen, Photo Unblur, Real Tone) with maximum efficiency and minimum battery drain. The Nano-TPU handles always-on tasks like voice detection and notification analysis without waking the main CPU. The 2nm process ensures all of this happens cooler and longer than competitors. Google also has access to its entire cloud AI infrastructure, enabling Phone app features that no other Android chip can replicate.
Apple's Approach — Ecosystem Integration: Apple Intelligence is the most polished on-device AI suite. The Neural Accelerators built into each A19 Pro GPU core enable up to 4x the GPU AI compute vs. A18 Pro. Apple's Private Cloud Compute offloads complex tasks to Apple's servers while maintaining a cryptographic privacy guarantee — unique in the industry. For writing assistance, image generation (Image Playground), and enhanced Siri, Apple's ecosystem integration makes the AI feel seamless in a way that Android phones are still working toward.
AI Winner: It Depends on Your Ecosystem
For raw on-device AI speed: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (70 TOPS, 220 tokens/sec). For Google AI integration: Tensor G6 (Gemini Nano native, efficient always-on). For ecosystem polish: Apple A19 Pro (Apple Intelligence, Private Cloud Compute, Neural Accelerators). There is no universal AI winner — the best depends on which software ecosystem you live in.
Power Efficiency and Battery Life
| Efficiency Metric | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Tensor G6 | Apple A19 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Process Node | 3nm N3P | 2nm N2 👑 | 3nm N3P |
| CPU Efficiency Gain | 16% better than prev. gen (35% CPU power reduction) | 30% better than G5 👑 | 5-10% better than A18 Pro (with vapor chamber: 40% sustained gain) |
| Real-World Battery Life | 1-day flagship (depends on OEM implementation) | Expected 30+ hours (Pixel 11) | 28-30 hours (iPhone 17 Pro Max) |
| Thermal Management | Depends on OEM (iQOO 15: 44.5% stability) | Cooler by design (2nm + smaller GPU) | Vapor chamber (40% better sustained perf) 👑 |
| Sustained Performance | Variable (OEM-dependent, stability concern) | Consistent (lower peak, stable) | 40% better than A18 Pro 👑 |
Thermal Throttling Reality: The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 hits the highest peak performance of any Android chip, but real-world sustained performance varies dramatically based on OEM cooling implementation. The iQOO 15 showed only 44.5% stability in 3DMark Wild Life Extreme — meaning performance drops nearly in half during extended gaming. Meanwhile, Apple's vapor chamber in iPhone 17 Pro delivers 40% better sustained performance, maintaining near-peak speeds during hour-long gaming sessions.
Modem and Connectivity
| Feature | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Tensor G6 | Apple A19 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5G Modem | Snapdragon X85 (integrated) | MediaTek M90 (integrated) | Apple C1X or Qualcomm (varies) |
| Peak Download | 12.5 Gbps 👑 | 12 Gbps | Varies by modem |
| mmWave Support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi Standard | Wi-Fi 7 (FastConnect 7900) | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 (Apple N1 chip) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6.0 | Bluetooth 6.0 | Bluetooth 6.0 (Apple N1) |
| Modem Integration | Fully integrated SoC | External MediaTek M90 | Separate chip (less efficient) |
Modem Winner: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. With an integrated X85 modem delivering 12.5 Gbps downloads, Qualcomm leads in connectivity performance. Google's switch from Samsung's notoriously problematic Exynos modem to MediaTek's M90 (12 Gbps) is a welcome upgrade — Tensor G5 had real-world signal issues that M90 should fix. Apple's modem situation is split: iPhone Air uses the new Apple C1X (first Apple-designed modem), while iPhone 17 Pro models use Qualcomm — Apple's own modem is not yet at Pro-tier performance.
Camera ISP Image Signal Processing
Every photo and video you take passes through the chip's ISP before reaching your eyes. A better ISP means better colour, lower noise, and faster processing — regardless of camera hardware.
| ISP Feature | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Tensor G6 | Apple A19 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISP Name | Spectra ISP (triple 20-bit AI ISP) | Google ISP (computational photography) | Apple Photonic Engine |
| Max Photo Resolution | 320MP support | 50MP native (AI-enhanced) | 200MP support |
| Video Format | APV (new professional codec) + 8K 30fps | 4K 60fps + Video Generation ML | ProRes RAW + 4K 120fps |
| AI Camera Features | Generative Edit, Object Eraser, Instant Slow-Mo | Real Tone, Magic Editor, Add Me, Best Take 👑 | Photonic Engine, ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2 |
| Low-Light Processing | Multi-frame HDR, AI noise reduction | Night Sight, Astrophotography 👑 | Computational Night mode |
Camera AI Winner: Tensor G6 (Software Advantage)
Despite weaker raw specs, Google's Tensor G6 delivers the best camera AI through software. Magic Editor, Best Take, Add Me, Real Tone, Night Sight, and Astrophotography are years ahead of competition. Google's computational photography expertise, built over a decade of Pixel development, remains unmatched in output quality for everyday photography. The Snapdragon's APV codec support and Spectra ISP are technically superior for professional video — but most users do not need APV.
Despite weaker raw specs, Google's Tensor G6 delivers the best camera AI through software. Magic Editor, Best Take, Add Me, Real Tone, Night Sight, and Astrophotography are years ahead of competition. Google's computational photography expertise, built over a decade of Pixel development, remains unmatched in output quality for everyday photography. The Snapdragon's APV codec support and Spectra ISP are technically superior for professional video — but most users do not need APV.
Phones Using Each Chipset in 2026
| Brand / Device | Chipset | Price (Approx.) | Launch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | $1,299 | March 2026 |
| Xiaomi 17 Ultra | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | ~$1,100 | Feb 2026 |
| OnePlus 15 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | ~$800 | Jan 2026 |
| iQOO 15 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | ~$700 | Jan 2026 |
| Honor Magic V6 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | ~$1,250 | March 2026 |
| Google Pixel 11 Pro XL | Tensor G6 | ~$1,099 | August 2026 |
| Google Pixel 11 Pro | Tensor G6 | ~$999 | August 2026 |
| Google Pixel 11 | Tensor G6 | ~$799 | August 2026 |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | Apple A19 Pro | $1,199 | Sept 2025 |
| iPhone 17 Pro | Apple A19 Pro | $999 | Sept 2025 |
| iPhone Air | Apple A19 Pro (5-core GPU) | $899 | Sept 2025 |
Who Should Choose Which Chip
Choose Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 If You
- Want maximum Android performance across every benchmark
- Love gaming on mobile at maximum settings with AAA titles
- Need the broadest device choice (50+ phones to choose from)
- Want the fastest 5G modem (12.5 Gbps X85)
- Are a Galaxy S26 Ultra, Xiaomi 17 Ultra, or OnePlus 15 buyer
- Need professional video with APV codec support
Choose Tensor G6 If You
- Prioritize battery life above all (2nm = 30% better efficiency)
- Want the best computational photography (Magic Editor, Night Sight, Best Take)
- Live in Google's ecosystem (Gmail, Google Photos, Google Assistant)
- Value privacy in AI processing (on-device Gemini Nano)
- Want 7 years of software updates guaranteed
- Prefer clean stock Android over heavily customized OEM UIs
Choose Apple A19 Pro If You
- Are already in Apple's ecosystem (Mac, iPad, AirPods, Apple Watch)
- Want the best single-core CPU performance on any phone
- Need GPU performance rivalling Apple M2 chips
- Demand the best sustained performance (vapor chamber + 40% improvement)
- Want ray tracing leadership (27% ahead of Snapdragon)
- Need ProRes RAW video recording for professional filmmaking
- Value Apple Intelligence's polished AI integration
The Final Verdict Three Champions Different Crowns
After benchmarks, architecture analysis, real-world testing, and AI comparisons, the 2026 mobile chip war has no single winner — and that is exactly as it should be. Each chip wins decisively in its own domain.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is the fastest Android chip ever made. Its 10,682 multi-core score leaves Apple 25% behind. Its Adreno 840 GPU leads Android gaming. Its 70-TOPS Hexagon NPU leads raw AI compute. With 50+ flagship devices to choose from, it offers the widest ecosystem and the best value at multiple price points. If you want maximum Android performance, this is your chip.
Tensor G6 is the most efficient flagship chip of 2026. Its 2nm N2 process is a generational leap over 3nm rivals, delivering 30% better power efficiency. Battery life on Pixel 11 will be exceptional. Computational photography remains unmatched. And Gemini Nano's deep Google ecosystem integration — call screening, real-time translation, Magic Editor — delivers AI that actually makes daily life easier. If you value battery life, cameras, and Google AI, this is your chip.
Apple A19 Pro is the most powerful single-core processor in any smartphone, and the first mobile GPU to rival Apple's own M2 chip. Its 40% sustained performance improvement means gaming and video editing no longer throttle. ProRes RAW recording is a first for iPhones. Apple Intelligence and Private Cloud Compute offer the most privacy-conscious AI system. If you are in Apple's ecosystem and want the best iOS experience, nothing touches the A19 Pro.
Bottom Line: Android power users pick Snapdragon. Battery-first / Google AI users pick Tensor G6. iOS users pick Apple A19 Pro. The real winner in 2026 is you — because all three chipsets deliver performance that was impossible just two years ago.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which is the fastest mobile chipset in 2026?
For multi-core CPU performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (10,682 in Geekbench 6 multi-core). For single-core CPU: Apple A19 Pro (3,895 points, even beating AMD's Ryzen 9 9950X desktop CPU). For ray tracing GPU: Apple A19 Pro (27% ahead of Snapdragon). For sustained performance: Apple A19 Pro (40% better than previous generation thanks to vapor chamber cooling).
Q: Why does Tensor G6 use 2nm when Snapdragon and Apple use 3nm?
Google jumped directly to TSMC's cutting-edge 2nm N2 node for the Tensor G6, skipping competitors' 3nm chips. The 2nm process delivers 10-15% better performance at the same power, or 30% better power efficiency at the same performance level. This gives Pixel 11 exceptional battery life. However, being on a newer process node does not automatically mean faster CPU or GPU performance — Apple's and Qualcomm's custom architectures still lead in raw speed.
Q: Is Tensor G6 weaker than Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5?
In raw CPU and GPU benchmarks, yes — Tensor G6 trails Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 by roughly 20-25% in multi-core and GPU performance. But this comparison misses the point of Tensor chips. Tensor G6 is built specifically to run Google's AI models (Gemini Nano, Night Sight, Real Tone) with maximum efficiency. Its 2nm process makes it 30% more power-efficient than Tensor G5, and it delivers world-class computational photography that no Snapdragon phone can match in software quality.
Q: How many TOPS does Tensor G6 support?
Google has not published official TOPS figures for Tensor G6. This is deliberate — Google does not compete on raw TOPS numbers. The chip uses a Main TPU for intensive AI tasks and a dedicated Nano-TPU for always-on lightweight AI (notification scanning, voice detection) at near-zero power consumption. The actual AI performance for Google's specific use cases (Gemini Nano, camera AI) is optimized within Google's ecosystem regardless of TOPS numbers.
Q: Can the Apple A19 Pro beat the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5?
Yes and no. Apple A19 Pro beats Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in: single-core CPU (3,895 vs. 3,649), ray tracing GPU (Solar Bay: 46.4fps vs. ~33fps), and sustained performance (40% better due to vapor chamber). Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 beats Apple A19 Pro in: multi-core CPU (10,682 vs. 9,746), raw AI TOPS (70 vs. ~38), and modem performance.
Q: Which chip gives the best battery life?
Tensor G6 wins battery life thanks to the 2nm process delivering 30% better power efficiency than Tensor G5. Pixel 11 is expected to deliver 30+ hours of mixed use. Apple A19 Pro comes second with its vapor chamber enabling efficient sustained use (28-30 hours in iPhone 17 Pro Max). Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 battery life varies widely by OEM implementation — some phones deliver excellent battery, others do not.
Q: Which chipset is best for photography?
Tensor G6 (Pixel 11) delivers the best camera AI through software — Magic Editor, Best Take, Add Me, Real Tone, Night Sight, and Astrophotography are industry-leading. Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 supports the highest-resolution sensors (up to 320MP) and professional APV video codec. Apple A19 Pro's Photonic Engine and ProRes RAW support are best for professional video. For everyday casual photography, Tensor G6 / Pixel 11 takes the crown.
Q: Which phone has the best AI features powered by these chips?
It depends on ecosystem: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (Snapdragon) leads for Android AI features like Galaxy AI and Circle to Search. Google Pixel 11 (Tensor G6) leads for Google-specific AI: Gemini Nano, Call Screen, Live Translate, and camera AI. iPhone 17 Pro (Apple A19 Pro) leads for Apple Intelligence, on-device Siri, Image Playground, and Private Cloud Compute integration.
Q: Is the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 the same as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5?
No — these are completely different chips. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (in Galaxy S26, iQOO 15) is the premium flagship chip. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 (in phones like mid-tier flagships) is a toned-down alternative that performs below the Elite variant. Qualcomm's naming caused widespread confusion — the "Elite" designation marks the premium version. In AnTuTu: 8 Elite Gen 5 scores 3.7M+ vs 8 Gen 5's 2.96M. Always check which Snapdragon variant is in your phone before purchasing.
Article Summary
Fastest Multi-Core CPU: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (10,682 multi-core)
Fastest Single-Core CPU: Apple A19 Pro (3,895 single-core)
Best GPU / Ray Tracing: Apple A19 Pro (M2-level GPU, 46.4fps Solar Bay)
Best Power Efficiency: Tensor G6 (2nm process, 30% better than G5)
Most AI TOPS: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (70 TOPS Hexagon NPU)
Best Camera AI: Tensor G6 (Pixel 11 computational photography)
Best Sustained Performance: Apple A19 Pro (40% better with vapor chamber)
Best Modem: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (X85, 12.5 Gbps)
Most Devices Available: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (50+ phones)
Best Process Node: Tensor G6 (2nm vs 3nm for rivals)
