Potential Benchmark for iPhone XR Successor Shows 4GB RAM, Moderate Performance Gains

[Constable Odo]

I think most iPhone users would gladly trade the processing power for a cheaper iPhone price. It's unlikely Apple will be able to do anything with those higher Geekbench scores that any of the Android flagship smartphones can't do. What do those Geekbench scores give iPhone users in actual use? Bragging rights? With Android flagship smartphones having more than twice the system RAM than an iPhone, those Android phones can outperform the iPhone by opening apps just as fast and holding a dozen of those apps open. Apple can't even market the power the A-series chips deliver to sell more iPhones. Nearly all consumers now want less expensive smartphones and Apple can't deliver that to consumers. Although it really doesn't matter in the real world, but Apple will be the only major smartphone company to not offer 5G connectivity which is going to be the big marketing buzzword this year. The absence of 5G will be used as leverage to show how weak Apple is as a smartphone company. The iPhone will be said to be behind the curve and most of the internet will agree.

I'll bet Apple won't have any AR advantage this year which is rather disappointing. There isn't anything Apple can offer to consumers that most Android smartphones don't already offer. Apple carries the cursed name of the iPhone Company and it's basically a total drag on Apple's value as iPhone sales dwindle every quarter. The Galaxy Note 10 has basically been named as the best smartphone of 2019 as most reviewers know Apple has nothing to beat it. It's rather amazing how Samsung can build a dozen models of smartphone while Apple struggles to build three models with limited features. I often wonder if Apple is even trying to compete with rival companies. Too bad. It just allows Apple to be called a loser company. It's going to be interesting to see what Apple has to say at the iPhone Event this year. "This is the best iPhone Apple has ever made." Nobody wants to hear that sentence, anymore.

 

[iSunrise]

Apple is so predictable these days.

The reported score is perfectly in line with that you would expect with TSMC's improvements on their 7nm+/7nm Pro/7FF+ manufacturing process technology (~10 percent lower power, 20 percent higher density).

Apple will add a new dsp / co-processor (new KI-instructions) e.x. for AR based image processing, which is one example for the increased transistor space. They are going to clock the already existing cores higher, so they will require about the same battery as before (they will also up the battery capacity a notch so they can go over 10% without any loss of battery performance).

If you really want a huge (and I mean HUGE) step up from your current iPhone, wait for the 5nm SoC next year, the qualcomm 5G SoC modem and other improvements to the cameras (ToF e.x.) and other niffty stuff.

 

[johnyslats]

Also worth adding A12 ‘leaked’ at 10,900 MS and I’m consistently getting ~11,500

 

[PickUrPoison]

Like the already released Samsung Note 10?

https://www.tomsguide.com/news/the-galaxy-note-10s-new-exynos-9825-chip-blows-away-the-s10

But it's just an Apple rumour?

Yeah, it’s awesome that Samsung has finally (almost) caught up with last year’s A12.

Of course Samsung doesn’t use the Exynos 9825 in the US

 

[MadCar]

Nice solid improvement but lets be honest the phones aren't constrained by processing power.

I'd rather see
Improved battery life (microLED won't be here until 2021)
Some new camera modes - better low light, different processing modes.
Improved slow mo camera
True edge to edge screen - Maybe then we can have something that truly offers a big screen without having a brick in the pocket.
5G - come on Apple lets not have to wait for another cycle when most markets already have it
AR - Come on much touted and played with but lets see some genuine innovation
Improved AI in using the phone, its good but could be better I'm a creature of habit so why can't the phone know what I want to do a bit more please.

No I don't want much.

 

[chucker23n1]

It's unlikely Apple will be able to do anything with those higher Geekbench scores that any of the Android flagship smartphones can't do.

They're already doing it — for example, doing AI processing that Android needs to do on servers instead (which is a privacy hazard).

What do those Geekbench scores give iPhone users in actual use? Bragging rights? With Android flagship smartphones having more than twice the system RAM than an iPhone, those Android phones can outperform the iPhone by opening apps just as fast and holding a dozen of those apps open.

"What does that give Android users in actual use? Bragging rights?"

 

[crsh1976]

Interesting, I don't think we've ever seen such a small gain with a new chip on the Ax series - we're definitely hitting the limit here, but then again the Ax's performance has gotten overkill for phones, we need a new type of devices to slap these in and make use of that processing power.

 

[PickUrPoison]

I think most iPhone users would gladly trade the processing power for a cheaper iPhone price. It's unlikely Apple will be able to do anything with those higher Geekbench scores that any of the Android flagship smartphones can't do. What do those Geekbench scores give iPhone users in actual use? Bragging rights? With Android flagship smartphones having more than twice the system RAM than an iPhone, those Android phones can outperform the iPhone by opening apps just as fast and holding a dozen of those apps open. Apple can't even market the power the A-series chips deliver to sell more iPhones. Nearly all consumers now want less expensive smartphones and Apple can't deliver that to consumers. Although it really doesn't matter in the real world, but Apple will be the only major smartphone company to not offer 5G connectivity which is going to be the big marketing buzzword this year. The absence of 5G will be used as leverage to show how weak Apple is as a smartphone company. The iPhone will be said to be behind the curve and most of the internet will agree.

I'll bet Apple won't have any AR advantage this year which is rather disappointing. There isn't anything Apple can offer to consumers that most Android smartphones don't already offer. Apple carries the cursed name of the iPhone Company and it's basically a total drag on Apple's value as iPhone sales dwindle every quarter. The Galaxy Note 10 has basically been named as the best smartphone of 2019 as most reviewers know Apple has nothing to beat it. It's rather amazing how Samsung can build a dozen models of smartphone while Apple struggles to build three models with limited features. I often wonder if Apple is even trying to compete with rival companies. Too bad. It just allows Apple to be called a loser company. It's going to be interesting to see what Apple has to say at the iPhone Event this year. "This is the best iPhone Apple has ever made." Nobody wants to hear that sentence, anymore.

The butthurt is strong with this one. Tim Apple is living rent free in your head, isn’t he?

But you’ve gotten a lot right in your post. No doubt the 11 Pro will be the best iPhone ever, and I’m sure you’re also right that those in the Apple-hate crowd won’t like hearing that. Apple customers are fine with it though

And again, you’re right that Apple doesn’t make 12 models. Don’t hold your breath waiting for that, though; Apple has no intention of competing (again, you’re right!) in a high volume/low profit race to the bottom in the $100-300 smartphone space.

re: 5G, I’m not sure how many customers will want to pay $100-200 extra for the first-gen power hogs, but we’ll see. Apple’s always seemed ok with hanging back awhile in supporting new cellular standards. Rumors are 5G next year but it wouldn’t be out of character for Apple to wait until 2021 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[The Game 161]

I think most iPhone users would gladly trade the processing power for a cheaper iPhone price. It's unlikely Apple will be able to do anything with those higher Geekbench scores that any of the Android flagship smartphones can't do. What do those Geekbench scores give iPhone users in actual use? Bragging rights? With Android flagship smartphones having more than twice the system RAM than an iPhone, those Android phones can outperform the iPhone by opening apps just as fast and holding a dozen of those apps open. Apple can't even market the power the A-series chips deliver to sell more iPhones. Nearly all consumers now want less expensive smartphones and Apple can't deliver that to consumers. Although it really doesn't matter in the real world, but Apple will be the only major smartphone company to not offer 5G connectivity which is going to be the big marketing buzzword this year. The absence of 5G will be used as leverage to show how weak Apple is as a smartphone company. The iPhone will be said to be behind the curve and most of the internet will agree.

I'll bet Apple won't have any AR advantage this year which is rather disappointing. There isn't anything Apple can offer to consumers that most Android smartphones don't already offer. Apple carries the cursed name of the iPhone Company and it's basically a total drag on Apple's value as iPhone sales dwindle every quarter. The Galaxy Note 10 has basically been named as the best smartphone of 2019 as most reviewers know Apple has nothing to beat it. It's rather amazing how Samsung can build a dozen models of smartphone while Apple struggles to build three models with limited features. I often wonder if Apple is even trying to compete with rival companies. Too bad. It just allows Apple to be called a loser company. It's going to be interesting to see what Apple has to say at the iPhone Event this year. "This is the best iPhone Apple has ever made." Nobody wants to hear that sentence, anymore.

Apple really isn’t behind the curve at all..note 10 is a great phone but it’s not the best phone if you prefer IOS. That’s what it comes down to

Spilt screen multitasking and picture in picture is only thing missing

Apple are expected to knock it out the park camera wise this year so that alone would have an advantage over the note 10

Can’t believe you mentioned 5G...which is pointless for at least another 12 months

 

[n-evo]

I think Apple should skip the number 13. It was bad for macOS 13 with security bugs. iOS 13 sounds ominous. Maybe time for new naming scheme for macOS and iOS and ARM versions.

Luckily not everyone is superstitious. Per example: I'm a daily user of line 13 here in Amsterdam. As it turns out the trams on that route run just fine. They don't explode, crash or suffer other unexplained disasters on a frequent basis.

 

[PickUrPoison]

"What does that give Android users in actual use? Bragging rights?"

Nah, something much more important: more clicks for YouTube “stars” who post the same old app-opening race vids. Much rejoicing in Androidworld winning that important metric.

 

[Coffee_Time]

It's nearly 2020 and, yet, peoples and it hardware websites still using this fake geekbench benchmark as reference! Unbelievable!

 

[Aston441]

I realize that the iPhone XR successor may be in some ways (camera, screen) a step down even from the original iPhone X (or at least a lateral move as the XR tech improves), but for me I think it may be a real consideration as a previous 6 Plus and 7 Plus owner for a slightly wider screen (I think in many ways that the XR size is the sweet spot in the lineup) as the X can feel a bit small. While I know the XS Max is about the same body size as the prior Plus models, I don’t really want to go putting something of that size back in my pocket all the time and with iPhones now full screen I can’t imagine the top of the XS Max is all that easy to use one handed.

when i put my 6s+ next to the XR or XS, I'm appalled at how awful the decrease in PPI looks

 

[M3gatron]

They're already doing it — for example, doing AI processing that Android needs to do on servers instead (which is a privacy hazard)

That is not true. Snapdragon 855 can handle on device AI processing just fine. It has dedicated die space for such workloads, it includes dedicated Tensor Cores.
If they use severs for AI processing its because it's faster, produces better results and is less taxing on the battery overall not because it's an absolute necessity or they have no other choice.

 

[chucker23n1]

Although it really doesn't matter in the real world, but Apple will be the only major smartphone company to not offer 5G connectivity which is going to be the big marketing buzzword this year. The absence of 5G will be used as leverage to show how weak Apple is as a smartphone company. The iPhone will be said to be behind the curve and most of the internet will agree.

Exactly, "most of the Internet". The entire tech punditry scene will discuss how it's the stupidest thing Apple has done, ever. Meanwhile, tens of millions of people will buy the newest iPhone. Then tech pundits will discuss how they don't understand why people buy it anyway. Then they will conclude that Apple customers must be "stupid" or "lemmings".

And so forth.

5G matters to the industry because they want to sell new devices. 5G matters to pundits because they want something stupid new to talk about. By and large, for now, 5G doesn't really matter to the user. That'll change over time — but it really, really doesn't matter in the fall of 2019.

 

[M3gatron]

"What does that give Android users in actual use? Bragging rights?"

You are talking about Ram?
Future proofing, advanced multitasking, with Samsung Dex the ability to have a desktop like experience when connect to a monitor, the ability to have multiple 3rd party processes permanently active in Ram with no impact on performance or usability and in general an uncompromised usage experience when taking in consideration the Ram.

 

[himanshumodi]

I realize that the iPhone XR successor may be in some ways (camera, screen) a step down even from the original iPhone X (or at least a lateral move as the XR tech improves)

Remains to be seen, I suppose. Considering XR will get dual cameras which should be better than X, A12>A11, and better battery... and now even RAM seems to be more. On the face of it, XR successor should be better in every way.

For me, I feel X, Xs are better sized phones, but beyond my budget. I am itching to replace my 32 gig 6s!

 

[EugW]

BTW, iPhone12,1 could be any of the three, NOT necessarily the Next-Gen XR, & NOT necessarily a number that goes to market.

They can easily fudge the platform string.

The reason it is likely the XR successor is because iPhone12,1 N104 was already previously leaked as the XR successor.

I think Apple should skip the number 13. It was bad for macOS 13 with security bugs. iOS 13 sounds ominous. Maybe time for new naming scheme for macOS and iOS and ARM versions.

No. Honestly, that’s just stupid.

Also worth adding A12 ‘leaked’ at 10,900 MS and I’m consistently getting ~11,500

Yes, I was guessing something like 12600 for A13 in my original thread.

 

[Frantisekj]

No. It's impossible for A12 to hit 5415 single core. This is 12% faster than the fastest A12 score ever recorded.

Is it really impossible? This chip is running 6% higher clock speed. Plus more efficient 7mm process, some refinements?

I see it was more discussed above later and probably explained.

 

[EugW]

Is it really impossible? This chip is running 6% higher clock speed. Plus more efficient 7mm process, some refinements?

Yes impossible.

After an entire year of tests, A12 has never reached even 5000 single-Core, much less 5415.

 

[zombierunner]

The new phones are going to be XRs, XSs and XS MAXs.

 

[nikusak]

when i put my 6s+ next to the XR or XS, I'm appalled at how awful the decrease in PPI looks

You mean XR DPI looks awful?

It has the lowest DPI of the three.

Probably good enough for most people, but I’d prefer at least ~400 i.e. the same as 6s+.

Beyond that we are talking about increasingly diminishing returns.

Some Samsung phone boasted a crazy >550 DPI but out of box it rendered everything at 1080p to avoid draining the battery :-D

 

[PickUrPoison]

Well, it is clocked 7% higher than the A12, no? Seems unlikely that a new micro architecture, clocked 7% faster, would achieve only 12% improvement? That’s a pretty tiny IPC upgrade - easily explainable by bigger cache, for example. Based on the numbers, doesn’t seem to have much in the way of improved microarchitecture. Makes me think its some sort of A12 derivative.

I think you might very well be right about the 2019 XR using an A12 derivative. It could be as simple as Apple just utilizing TSMC’s N7P (DUV) process, which the foundry claims results in a 7% performance increase at the same power—exactly the difference in the 2.49–> 2.66 hike in clock rate (6.8%).

Along with something quick and dirty like the cache bump as you mention, Apple could pretty cheaply get to the 12% overall performance increase. Lending some support to this theory is the fact that N7 and N7P use the same design rules, and Geekbench misread the cache sizes.

Could be that the N7+ (EUV) process is capacity and/or yield constrained, and it’s only being used for the two Pro models due to the higher cost that implies. (And of course Apple loves product segmentation.)

But it could be that the 11R really does use an A13 and we’ll see higher scores later, with a non-beta iOS. Who knows.

 

[chucker23n1]

You are talking about Ram?
Future proofing, advanced multitasking, with Samsung Dex the ability to have a desktop like experience when connect to a monitor,

OK — do you actually use this setup? We've had this idea since Ubuntu Phone way back when (and with Windows Continuum later), but it never seems to have caught on.

(Maybe because having an external monitor, keyboard and mouse but not also having a computer hooked up anyway is kind of a strange setup?)

the ability to have multiple 3rd party processes permanently active in Ram with no impact on performance or usability and in general an uncompromised usage experience when taking in consideration the Ram.

I mean… I know what RAM is useful for.

But the original assertion was that a fast CPU is only useful for "bragging rights", so I countered that a high amount of RAM, per se, isn't inherently more useful than that either.

 

[KOTN91]

Better just throw away my XR now then. Wow, a whole extra gb of ram, how exciting. Because the XR really struggled for performance with 3gb /s