In 2024, both the iPhone 8 and Galaxy S8 are nearly seven years old. While once flagship devices, they now sit firmly in the realm of legacy hardware. Yet, many users still rely on them as secondary phones, budget options, or hand-me-downs for family members. A common question arises: with such age behind them, does the difference in processor speed between these two devices still matter for everyday tasks?
The iPhone 8 runs Apple’s A11 Bionic chip, while the Galaxy S8 uses either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 (in most global variants) or Samsung’s Exynos 9810 (in select regions). On paper, the A11 Bionic outperforms the Snapdragon 835 in raw CPU benchmarks. But benchmark scores don’t always translate to real-world usability. The more pressing concern is whether that gap affects how smoothly you can browse, message, or stream content today.
Processor Performance: A Technical Comparison
The A11 Bionic was a milestone for Apple. Built on a 10nm process, it featured six cores—two high-performance \"Monsoon\" cores and four efficiency-focused \"Zephyr\" cores. Its neural engine also introduced machine learning capabilities to iPhones, though not directly relevant to daily app performance.
The Snapdragon 835, meanwhile, was Qualcomm’s top-tier Android SoC at the time. Also built on a 10nm process, it included eight Kryo 280 cores—four performance and four efficiency—and an Adreno 540 GPU. In synthetic tests like Geekbench, the A11 typically scores around 2,400 in single-core and 4,600 in multi-core, while the Snapdragon 835 lands near 1,900 and 6,700 respectively. This suggests the A11 has superior single-thread performance, which often matters more in mobile responsiveness.
Daily Use Scenarios: Where Speed Matters (and Where It Doesn’t)
For most basic functions—sending texts, checking email, browsing simple websites, or using social media apps—the difference between the two processors is negligible in 2024. Both devices can handle these tasks without obvious lag, assuming the operating system is stable and background processes are minimal.
However, the experience diverges when multitasking or using modern versions of apps optimized for newer hardware. For example:
- App Launching: The iPhone 8 tends to open native iOS apps faster due to better optimization and stronger single-core performance.
- Web Browsing: Complex sites with heavy JavaScript load quicker on the iPhone 8.
- Camera Processing: The S8’s camera software is older and slower to process HDR images compared to iOS 16/17’s continued support for the iPhone 8.
- Background App Refresh: Switching between multiple open apps feels snappier on the iPhone 8.
“Even five years out, Apple’s chip advantage in single-threaded workloads gives older iPhones a usability edge over Android counterparts of similar vintage.” — David Lin, Mobile Hardware Analyst at TechPulse Insights
Software Support and Ecosystem Impact
One critical factor overshadowing pure processor speed is software longevity. As of 2024, the iPhone 8 supports iOS 17, receiving security updates and feature improvements. In contrast, the Galaxy S8 stopped receiving major OS updates after Android 9 and security patches ended in 2020.
This means the iPhone 8 benefits from:
- Modern app compatibility (developers still optimize for iOS 15+)
- Better memory management in newer iOS versions
- Ongoing security fixes that keep the device safe
- iCloud integration and ecosystem continuity
The Galaxy S8, even if rooted or running custom ROMs, lacks official support. Most modern Android apps assume at least Android 10, leading to crashes, poor performance, or missing features. Chrome, WhatsApp, and banking apps may run slowly or refuse to install altogether.
Real-World Example: Two Users, One Week
Consider two individuals: Maya uses her iPhone 8 daily for messaging, navigation, and light photo editing. She upgraded to iOS 17 and finds iMessage, Safari, and Google Maps responsive. Apps launch quickly, and she rarely experiences stutters—even with multiple apps open.
Raj still uses his Galaxy S8, which runs Android 9 with no further updates. He notices that YouTube videos buffer longer, WhatsApp takes 5–6 seconds to open, and Instagram frequently reloads stories upon return. After installing a third-party launcher to improve UI fluidity, he sees minor gains but continues to face app instability.
While both devices technically “work,” Maya’s experience reflects sustained optimization, whereas Raj’s highlights the cost of outdated software—even with a capable original processor.
Performance Comparison Table
| Feature | iPhone 8 (A11 Bionic) | Galaxy S8 (Snapdragon 835) |
|---|---|---|
| Release Year | 2017 | 2017 |
| Current OS Support | iOS 17 (2024) | Android 9 (last update: 2020) |
| Geekbench 5 (Single/Multi) | ~830 / ~1730 | ~700 / ~1800 |
| Available RAM | 2GB | 4GB |
| App Compatibility (2024) | Good (iOS App Store) | Poor (Google Play restrictions) |
| Daily Usability (General Tasks) | Fair to Good | Fair (with slowdowns) |
| Battery Longevity Outlook | Varies by battery health | Most units degraded significantly |
Actionable Checklist: Maximizing Performance in 2024
If you’re still using either device, follow this checklist to get the best possible experience:
- ✅ Replace the battery if capacity is below 80% — degraded batteries throttle performance.
- ✅ Disable animations and reduce motion (especially on iPhone 8).
- ✅ Uninstall unused apps to free up storage and RAM.
- ✅ Use lightweight alternatives (e.g., Firefox Lite, Messenger Lite).
- ✅ Avoid resource-heavy apps like TikTok or full-featured video editors.
- ✅ Clear cache regularly on Android; offload apps on iOS.
- ✅ Enable auto-brightness and lower screen resolution if available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Galaxy S8 run Android 13 via custom ROMs?
Yes, some community-developed ROMs like LineageOS offer Android 12–13 on the S8. However, these lack Google Play Services certification, may have bugs, and require technical setup. Performance varies and isn’t guaranteed.
Is the iPhone 8 still secure to use in 2024?
Yes. Apple continues to issue security updates for the iPhone 8 under iOS 17. As long as you keep it updated and avoid suspicious links or downloads, it remains reasonably secure for daily use.
Why does the iPhone 8 feel faster despite having less RAM?
iOS manages memory more efficiently than Android, especially on older hardware. Combined with superior single-core CPU performance and tight software-hardware integration, the iPhone 8 delivers smoother interactions even with only 2GB of RAM.
Final Verdict: Does Processor Speed Make a Noticeable Difference?
In isolation, the A11 Bionic’s speed advantage over the Snapdragon 835 is measurable but subtle in routine tasks. You won’t notice a dramatic difference when typing a message or scrolling through Twitter. However, over time, micro-lags accumulate—slower app startups, occasional freezes, longer loading times—and these erode user satisfaction.
The true differentiator isn’t just the processor—it’s the ecosystem. Apple’s commitment to long-term software support amplifies the A11’s capabilities well into 2024. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S8, despite its higher RAM and once-competitive chipset, falters due to abandoned software infrastructure.
So yes, the processor speed difference becomes noticeable—not because one chip is vastly faster, but because sustained optimization makes that speed usable. The iPhone 8 leverages its hardware more effectively today thanks to ongoing iOS support, turning a modest performance lead into a meaningful usability gap.
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