A18 4-Core GPU Performance in iPhone 16e: Nearly 10% Slower than A16 Bionic in 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Unlimited

Apple has employed a familiar strategy of chip-binning with the introduction of the iPhone 16e, utilizing an A18 chip that differs slightly from the versions in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. The notable distinction lies in the A18’s reduced GPU core count, which significantly impacts performance. Surprisingly, benchmarks reveal that this variant delivers lower performance than the older A16 Bionic found in the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max—devices that are now nearing three years in age. This reality raises concerns about the competitiveness of Apple’s latest model.

Performance Benchmarks Highlight Concerns about the iPhone 16e’s Value

Recent testing has cast a spotlight on the performance shortcomings of the binned A18 chip. A prior analysis indicated that the A18 was about 15% slower in the Geekbench 6 Metal benchmark when compared to its full-featured counterpart. YouTuber Dave2D corroborated these findings by running the 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Unlimited test. The results were disappointing; the A18’s 4-core GPU managed a score of only 2, 882 points, while the A16 Bionic achieved a more robust score of 3, 170.

To illustrate the performance gap further, the fully-featured A18, boasting a 5-core GPU found in the iPhone 16, scored an impressive 4, 007 points. This stark contrast reveals a substantial discrepancy of approximately 28.04% in performance between the binned and non-binned versions of the chip. Such a significant decline prompts questions about Apple’s decision to utilize chip-binning for the iPhone 16e, a move seemingly aimed at reducing production costs and, consequently, the retail price.

iPhone 16e, A18 GPU is slower than the A16 Bionic in one test

The broad difference in benchmark scores may frustrate prospective buyers, drawing skepticism regarding the validity of these results. However, it is essential to note that various tech reviewers will likely subject the iPhone 16e and its A18 chip to rigorous testing. As further data emerges from additional 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Unlimited tests, updates will be provided to keep consumers informed.

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