Apple’s latest innovation in the iPhone 16 series brings an advanced thermal solution that ensures all models keep their cool and maintain top-notch performance, especially when running demanding applications like high-end games. This technological leap is impressively showcased in a new Genshin Impact test, where the iPhone 16 Pro Max, powered by the A18 Pro chip, pulls ahead of its predecessor, the iPhone 15 Pro Max. However, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, equipped with an active cooling system, still manages to narrowly outpace the A18 Pro.
What’s truly remarkable is that without the active cooling system, the A18 Pro demonstrates a striking 42.5 percent performance boost in Genshin Impact compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Notably, the base model iPhone 16, running the standard A18, performs almost just as impressively.
Testing conducted by Geekerwan reveals that the A18 Pro in the iPhone 16 Pro Max sustains a framerate of 55.5FPS in Genshin Impact. Meanwhile, the smaller iPhone 16 Pro, also equipped with the A18 Pro, manages 49.5FPS, showcasing a 12 percent performance difference that underscores the effectiveness of Apple’s new thermal management in larger devices. Curiously, the smaller 6.1-inch iPhone 16 outperforms its bigger 6.7-inch counterpart, demonstrating Apple’s meticulous engineering across all model sizes.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s superior performance in this test merits further scrutiny. Running on the REDMAGIC 9S Pro with an active cooling fan, this chipset achieves a robust 59.9FPS in Genshin Impact. However, when this same chip functions without active cooling in the Xiaomi 14 Pro, its framerate plummets to 38.9FPS. In a direct comparison, the A18 Pro in the iPhone 16 Pro Max is indeed 42.5 percent faster than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, aligning its performance closely with the Dimensity 9300+ in the Vivo X100s.
Last year’s combination of the iPhone 15 Pro and A17 Pro showed promise but was plagued by stutters and thermal throttling, resulting in inconsistent performance. The advancements in the iPhone 16 Pro Max suggest a promising reduction in these issues, though real-world gameplay footage and extensive use will be essential to confirm this improvement.
For gaming aficionados looking for a cost-effective choice, the iPhone 16 stands out. The differences between the A18 and A18 Pro chipsets are minimal, with the A18 Pro’s single extra GPU core providing negligible advantages in Genshin Impact’s average framerate. This makes the iPhone 16 an attractive option for budget-conscious gamers who don’t want to sacrifice performance for a higher price tag.
This development in Apple’s thermal solutions and chip performance seems poised to set a new standard, potentially making the iPhone 16 series a top contender for those seeking powerful, reliable gaming smartphones.
