Apple’s new A18 Pro chip powers the iPhone 16 Pro lineup, while Google’s Tensor G5 debuts in the Pixel 10 series. Both represent their companies’ latest advances in mobile silicon, but they differ in focus: Apple emphasizes raw performance and GPU power, while Google leans on AI acceleration and efficiency improvements.
Manufacturing process and architecture
- Apple A18 Pro: Built on TSMC’s 3 nm N3E node. Features a 6-core CPU (2 performance + 4 efficiency), a 6-core GPU with ray tracing, and a 16-core Neural Engine.
- Google Tensor G5: Also fabricated on TSMC’s 3 nm node, Google’s first move away from Samsung. It uses a 1+3+4 CPU cluster (Cortex-X4 + A720 + A520), no hardware ray tracing, and an upgraded Tensor Processing Unit (TPU).
CPU and GPU performance
Apple A18 Pro
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- Geekbench 6 (approx.): Single-core 3600, Multi-core 9300.
- GPU improvements push performance close to M2-class chips in some workloads.
Google Tensor G5
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- Geekbench 6 (approx.): Single-core 2200–2400, Multi-core 6800–7100.
- GPU is believed to be an Imagination Tech solution, without hardware ray tracing.
AI and machine learning
- Apple A18 Pro: Neural Engine reaches 40 TOPS, used for on-device Apple Intelligence tasks, including image generation, writing tools, and Siri context awareness.
- Google Tensor G5: TPU is 60% more powerful than G4, enabling features like Magic Editor, Gemini Nano, real-time translations, and new computational photography modes (Pro Res Zoom, advanced Night Sight).
Imaging and video
- A18 Pro: Enhances Smart HDR and supports ProRes video capture, 8K external recording, and hardware-accelerated ray tracing for games.
- Tensor G5: Upgraded ISP allows better low-light video and HDR+ across multiple cameras. Exclusive features include Magic Eraser, Audio Magic Eraser, and Video Boost.
Efficiency and battery life
Both chips focus on improving efficiency, but results vary by device.
Battery life comparison
| Device | Chipset | Battery capacity | Estimated battery life* | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16 Pro | A18 Pro | ~3,355 mAh | Up to 23 hours video playback | Gains ~1–1.5 hours vs iPhone 15 Pro |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | A18 Pro | ~4,676 mAh | Up to 29 hours video playback | Longest-lasting iPhone to date |
| Pixel 10 Pro | Tensor G5 | ~4,800 mAh | ~27 hours mixed use | Efficiency improved ~15% vs Pixel 9 Pro |
| Pixel 10 Pro XL | Tensor G5 | ~5,150 mAh | ~30 hours mixed use | Largest battery in Pixel lineup |
| Pixel 10 Pro Fold | Tensor G5 | ~4,800 mAh | ~22 hours mixed use | Foldable design reduces endurance |
*Manufacturer estimates and early testing; may vary by workload.
Apple relies on tighter hardware-software integration, while Google offsets Tensor’s lower peak performance with larger batteries and efficiency tuning. The result is that Pixel 10 Pro XL matches or even surpasses the iPhone 16 Pro Max in longevity, while the iPhone 16 Pro remains slightly ahead of the regular Pixel 10 Pro in endurance relative to size. However, real-world testing may prove otherwise since the numbers for Pixel are straight from Google and not been tested by others yet.
Memory and storage support
- Apple A18 Pro: Paired with 8 GB LPDDR5X RAM and storage options up to 1 TB NVMe.
- Google Tensor G5: Supports up to 16 GB LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage up to 1 TB.
Benchmark comparison (Geekbench 6)
| Chipset | Single-core | Multi-core | AI/ML (TOPS) | Process | Ray tracing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple A18 Pro | ~3600 | ~9300 | 40 TOPS | 3 nm N3E | Yes |
| Tensor G5 | ~2300 | ~7000 | TPU +60% vs G4 (~25–30 TOPS equiv.) | 3 nm TSMC | No |
Conclusion
Apple’s A18 Pro dominates in CPU and GPU benchmarks, making it the best choice for raw performance and gaming. Google’s Tensor G5 is less powerful on paper, but its AI-first approach delivers features Apple doesn’t yet match, like advanced photo editing, real-time translation, and Gemini Nano integrations. For users, the choice comes down to whether peak performance or AI-powered experiences matter more.
