Apple M4 vs Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme: Early Performance Results Reveal a Surprising Leader
Exciting Advances in ARM Performance: Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme vs. Apple’s M4 Series
Qualcomm Unveils Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme at Annual Summit
Qualcomm introduced its groundbreaking Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme chip at the highly anticipated annual Summit in Hawaii on September 24. This new contender in the ARM chip arena promises to elevate CPU, GPU, and NPU capabilities, setting a formidable challenge for Apple’s esteemed M4 series. Our Editor-in-Chief, Daniel Rubino, was present for a detailed live benchmarking session to scrutinize these advances.
ARM64-Based Power Showdown: Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme vs. Apple M4
The Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme, Qualcomm’s second-generation ARM64-based chipset, stands toe-to-toe with Apple’s M4 series, known for its efficiency and power. Although the M4 Max maintains its supremacy in most multi-core tests, the X2 Elite Extreme demonstrates superior performance in other significant areas such as single-core CPU and NPU benchmarks.
CPU Performance: A Closer Look with Geekbench 6.5
| Chip | Single-Core Score | Multi-Core Score |
|---|---|---|
| Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme | 4,080 | 23,491 |
| Apple M4 | 3,872 | 15,146 |
| Apple M4 Pro | 3,800-3,900 | ~22,500 |
| Apple M4 Max | 3,850-3,900 | 25,000+ |
In Geekbench 6.5 evaluations, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme overtakes both the M4 and M4 Pro in single-core performance, though the M4 Max remains unrivaled in multi-core tasks. The 18-core structure of the Elite Extreme provides a robust framework for demanding applications.
Cinebench 2024 Insights: Performance Across the Board
| Chip | Single-Core | Multi-Core |
|---|---|---|
| Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme | 159-162 | 1,937-1,988 |
| Apple M4 (10-core) | 172-180 | 950-1,000 |
| Apple M4 Pro (14-core) | 172-180 | 1,690-1,700 |
| Apple M4 Max (16-core) | 175-180 | 2,020-2,060 |
The Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme achieves notable multi-core results in Cinebench 2024, surpassing the M4 and M4 Pro, yet trails slightly behind the powerhouse M4 Max.
NPU Capabilities: Snapdragon Leads the AI Charge
Qualcomm’s NPU in the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme trumps the competition, including Intel, AMD, and Apple’s M4 series. With 80 Tera Operations Per Second (TOPS), it far exceeds the M4’s 38 TOPS, paving the way for next-level AI capabilities. Benchmarks like Procyon AI Computer Vision and Geekbench AI 1.5 underscore Qualcomm’s AI superiority in the market.
GPU Performance: Snapdragon Holds Its Ground
- 3DMark Solar Bay: The X2 Elite Extreme achieves a score of 90.06 compared to the M4’s 62.7.
- 3DMark Steel Nomad Light: Snapdragon achieves 42.61, while the M4 Pro outperforms it at 58.1.
The upgraded Adreno GPU in the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme showcases remarkable improvements, although the Apple M4 Pro and M4 Max maintain higher performance in specialized benchmarks.
Concluding Thoughts on Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme’s Market Impact
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme emerges as a significant upgrade over its predecessors, showing promising potential against Apple’s M4 lineup, especially in CPU, NPU, and certain GPU contexts. With Apple’s next-gen M5 chip on the horizon, the competition is slated to intensify, offering exciting possibilities for computing enthusiasts.
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