Comparing Google Tensor G4 vs. Apple A17 Pro: Benchmarks and Specifications

With the ongoing battle for dominance in the smartphone market, two major players, Google and Apple, are constantly pushing the boundaries of what their devices can achieve. Google’s latest Pixel 9 series and Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro have taken center stage, each powered by their respective flagship chipsets: the Google Tensor G4 vs. Apple A17 Pro.

While both chipsets are designed to offer superior performance, they cater to different ecosystems, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.

In this comprehensive comparison, we delve into the specifications and benchmark results of the Tensor G4 and A17 Pro, evaluating them across various parameters like CPU performance, GPU capabilities, AI processing, and connectivity. By the end of this analysis, you’ll have a clear understanding of which chipset leads the race in terms of raw power and practical application.

Tensor G4 vs. A17 Pro: Specifications Breakdown

Before diving into benchmarks, it’s crucial to understand the foundational differences between the Tensor G4 and A17 Pro. These chipsets are built on different architectures, each optimized for the unique needs of their operating systems—Android for Google and iOS for Apple.

CPU Architecture and Core Configuration

  • Google Tensor G4: The Tensor G4 boasts an eight-core configuration, comprising 1x Cortex-X4 core clocked at 3.10GHz, 3x Cortex-A720 cores at 2.60GHz, and 4x Cortex-A520 cores running at 1.95GHz. It is manufactured using Samsung’s 4nm process technology.
  • Apple A17 Pro: On the other hand, the A17 Pro features a six-core CPU with 2x high-performance cores clocked at 3.78GHz and 4x efficiency cores at 2.11GHz, built on TSMC’s cutting-edge 3nm (N3B) process.

This difference in core count and architecture highlights Apple’s focus on efficiency without compromising performance, while Google opts for a more traditional multi-core approach.

GPU and AI Capabilities

  • Google Tensor G4: The GPU in the Tensor G4 is a Mali-G715 MC7, operating up to 940MHz, which supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing—a feature that is increasingly important for mobile gaming and graphics-intensive applications. For AI and machine learning tasks, the Tensor G4 integrates Google’s custom TPU (codename Rio).
  • Apple A17 Pro: Apple equips the A17 Pro with a six-core GPU designed in-house, which also supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing. The Neural Engine, with its 16 cores, achieves an impressive 35 TOPS (Trillions of Operations Per Second), making it a powerhouse for AI-driven tasks.

Connectivity and Additional Features

  • Google Tensor G4: Google’s chipset supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, and integrates a Samsung Exynos 5400 5G modem capable of peak download speeds of 14.79 Gbps. It also includes features like an AV1 encoder and decoder, a Titan M2 security chip, and NavIC support.
  • Apple A17 Pro: The A17 Pro includes Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and the Snapdragon X70 5G modem, offering up to 10 Gbps in peak download speeds. Unique features include ProRes codec support and an ultra-wideband chip.

Tensor G4 vs. A17 Pro: Benchmark Comparisons

While specifications give us an idea of the potential of each chipset, real-world performance is best judged through benchmarks. Here’s how the Tensor G4 and A17 Pro stack up against each other.

Geekbench 6 CPU Benchmark

Geekbench 6 is a popular cross-platform benchmark that measures single-core and multi-core CPU performance.

  • Tensor G4: In the Geekbench 6 test, the Tensor G4 scores 1,897 points in the single-core test and 3,721 in the multi-core test.
  • A17 Pro: The A17 Pro, however, outshines Google’s offering with a single-core score of 2,897 (a 34% increase over Tensor G4) and a multi-core score of 7,261 (a massive 49% uplift).

Apple’s A17 Pro demonstrates superior performance despite having two fewer cores, showcasing the efficiency and power of its architecture.

AnTuTu Benchmark

AnTuTu is a comprehensive benchmark that tests various aspects of a device’s performance, including CPU, GPU, memory, and user experience.

  • Tensor G4: The Tensor G4 scores 1,253,407 points overall. Breaking it down further, it achieves 337,131 in CPU performance, 444,488 in GPU, 243,643 in memory, and 228,145 in UX.
  • A17 Pro: The A17 Pro dominates with a score of 1,628,672 points, leading in all categories. The GPU performance is particularly noteworthy, scoring 603,504, a 26% improvement over Tensor G4’s GPU.

The A17 Pro’s advantage in AnTuTu highlights its balanced performance across the board, making it a more powerful option for both everyday tasks and demanding applications.

3DMark Wild Life Extreme Stress Test

This test is designed to push the GPU to its limits, simulating intense gaming scenarios.

  • Tensor G4: The Tensor G4’s Mali-G715 GPU scores a best loop of 2,590 points, with a lowest loop of 1,525 points, and a stability of 58.9%.
  • A17 Pro: The A17 Pro significantly outperforms here as well, with a best loop score of 4,110, a lowest loop score of 2,820, and a stability of 68.6%.

In this test, the A17 Pro’s GPU shows a 36% better performance than the Tensor G4’s GPU, making it a superior choice for graphics-intensive applications.

Geekbench AI Benchmark

AI performance is becoming increasingly important as more apps rely on machine learning for various tasks.

  • Tensor G4: The Tensor G4’s AI capabilities, while competent, fall short compared to Apple’s offering. Its TPU scores 289 in Single Precision, 4,145 in Half Precision, and 6,103 in Quantized operations.
  • A17 Pro: The A17 Pro’s Neural Engine delivers far better results with scores of 3,878, 21,324, and 26,213 in the respective categories, outperforming the Tensor G4 by a factor of 6 to 10.

For on-device AI tasks, the A17 Pro’s Neural Engine is vastly superior, offering multi-fold gains in performance over Google’s Tensor G4.

5G Connectivity Test

Connectivity is another crucial factor in today’s smartphones, especially with the rollout of 5G networks worldwide.

  • Tensor G4: The Tensor G4’s modem supports peak download speeds of 468 Mbps and upload speeds of 35.1 Mbps.
  • A17 Pro: The A17 Pro, however, achieves peak download speeds of 468 Mbps and upload speeds of 20.1 Mbps, thanks to its Snapdragon X70 5G modem.

Although the Tensor G4 has a slight edge in upload speeds, the overall performance of the A17 Pro’s modem, coupled with Qualcomm’s reliability, makes it a more dependable choice for 5G connectivity.

Verdict: A Clear Winner

After thoroughly comparing the Google Tensor G4 and the Apple A17 Pro, it’s evident that Apple’s chipset leads in almost every aspect. The A17 Pro outperforms the Tensor G4 in CPU, GPU, AI processing, and even in terms of efficiency and connectivity.

Google’s Tensor G4, while a significant improvement over its predecessors, still lags behind the A17 Pro, especially in benchmarks that matter most to power users and professionals. The gap in performance between these two chipsets underscores Apple’s relentless pursuit of excellence in chip design, ensuring that its devices remain at the cutting edge of technology.

For consumers looking for the best possible performance in a smartphone, the iPhone 15 Pro with its A17 Pro chipset is the clear choice. However, if you’re entrenched in the Android ecosystem, the Pixel 9 with the Tensor G4 still offers a solid experience, especially for AI-driven applications and general smartphone use.

In conclusion, while Google continues to make strides with its Tensor chipsets, Apple remains the undisputed leader in mobile chipset performance, setting a high bar for competitors to match.

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