Apple's iPhone XS Max smashes Google's Pixel 3 in benchmark testing

AppleInsider is running Apple's iPhone XS Max and Google's brand new Pixel 3 through a gauntlet of tests to see which of the two flagship smartphones reigns supreme. In this first installment of our special video series we compare the iPhone's A12 Bionic processor against the Pixel 3's Snapdragon silicon.

Google opted to power its latest Pixel smartphone with Qualcomm's octa-core Snapdragon 845, the same chip found in Samsung's Galaxy Note 9. Both the performance and efficiency cores are clocked slightly slower than the Galaxy at 2.5GHz and 1.5GHz, respectively. The processor is backed by 4GB of RAM, while an Adreno 630 GPU drives graphics for the 5.5-inch handset.

Apple's top-of-the-line iPhone for 2018 is powered by the new A12 Bionic chip, a six-core system-on-chip with two high-performance cores and four efficiency cores running at a clock speed of 2.49GHz. An integrated Apple-designed four-core GPU crunches graphics data.

Starting with the Geekbench 4 CPU test, iPhone XS Max more than doubles the Pixel 3 in single-core performance with a score of 4,816 points compared to only 2,393. The gap is not as wide in multi-core, but the XS Max still handily beats the Pixel 3 with a score of 11,584 compared to 8,312.

Apple's hardware again outperformed in the Geekbench graphics test, scoring 22,278 points to Google's 13,845 points.

Next up is Antutu's graphics intensive benchmark. The Pixel 3 scored quite well with 284,546 points, but it was unable to compete with the iPhone XS Max, which pegged the needle at 363,687. Looking at the detailed results, the iPhone beat the Pixel 3 in every test except for memory.

Moving onto Antutu's HTML 5 test, the XS Max scored around 35 percent higher than the Pixel 3, with respective results of 46,531 and 34,674.

In Octane 2.0, another browser benchmark, the difference was massive. The XS Max pulled down a score of 43,220, almost three times the Pixel 3's 16,396. This test is a good illustration of Apple's hardware and software optimization.

For our final test, we ran GFXBench OpenGL's 1080p Manhattan Offscreen test. Again, we saw a significantly higher score on the XS Max, which managed 120 frames per second compared to 83fps on the Pixel 3.

Based on these results, there's no doubt that the XS Max is the superior device in terms of performance. The Google Pixel 3 put in an underwhelming performance, one that is in some cases bested by the Galaxy Note 9.

Deals on the iPhone XS Max and Google Pixel 3

If you haven't already ordered Apple's iPhone XS Max, wireless carriers are incentivizing the purchase. Want to get your hands on a new device asap? eBay sellers are also shipping units now.

Carrier deals:

• AT&T Wireless: Buy one iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max, get a second $700 off when you add a line.
• Verizon Wireless: Buy an iPhone XS and get a 64GB iPhone XR for free.
• Sprint: Get the 64GB iPhone XS for half off with eligible trade-in and Sprint Flex lease.
• T-Mobile: Save up to $390 on the iPhone XS with an eligible iPhone trade.

Those interested in purchasing the Google Pixel 3 can take advantage of a buy one, get one free offer on the 64GB model at Verizon Wireless.

AppleInsider will be running through a number of comparisons in the coming days. Download the AppleInsider iOS app and follow us on YouTube so you don't miss out.