Iphone X Vs Galaxy S8 Which Phone Had The Faster Processor Back Then

In 2017, two flagship smartphones captured global attention: the Apple iPhone X and the Samsung Galaxy S8. Both devices represented a turning point in smartphone design and performance. The iPhone X introduced Face ID and an edge-to-edge OLED display, while the Galaxy S8 pushed bezel-less innovation with its Infinity Display. But beneath the sleek exteriors, the real competition was happening inside—specifically, in the silicon powering these devices. When they launched, many consumers asked: which phone had the faster processor?

The answer isn't just about raw clock speeds or marketing claims. It involves architecture, efficiency, software optimization, and real-world performance. Let’s dive into the technical details to determine which device held the performance crown at the time of release.

The Processors: A11 Bionic vs Exynos 9810

The iPhone X was powered by Apple’s custom-designed A11 Bionic chip, a 64-bit six-core CPU built on a 10nm process. It featured two high-performance \"Monsoon\" cores and four energy-efficient \"Mistral\" cores. This heterogeneous setup allowed iOS to dynamically allocate tasks based on demand, balancing speed and battery life.

Samsung, on the other hand, equipped the Galaxy S8 with either the Exynos 9810 (in international markets) or the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 (in North America). For this comparison, we focus on the Exynos 9810, as it was the flagship SoC used in most regions outside the U.S. The Exynos 9810 also used a 10nm process but featured a unique 4+4 core configuration: four high-performance custom Mongoose cores and four power-efficient Cortex-A55 cores.

While both chips were cutting-edge for their time, architectural differences led to distinct performance characteristics.

Performance Benchmarks at Launch

Benchmarks from late 2017 clearly favored the A11 Bionic. In Geekbench 4, the iPhone X scored approximately 4,200 in single-core performance and around 10,000 in multi-core. By contrast, the Galaxy S8 with the Exynos 9810 averaged about 2,900 in single-core and 6,700 in multi-core tests.

This meant the A11 Bionic outperformed the Exynos 9810 by roughly 45% in single-threaded tasks—a critical advantage for app responsiveness, web browsing, and UI fluidity. Even in multi-core workloads, Apple’s chip maintained a lead of over 30%, despite having fewer high-performance cores.

“Apple’s A11 Bionic redefined mobile computing in 2017. Its single-core performance leap wasn’t just ahead of Android rivals—it set a new standard.” — Mark Liu, Mobile Semiconductor Analyst at TechInsight Group

Tip: When comparing processors across platforms, prioritize single-core performance—it reflects everyday responsiveness more accurately than multi-core scores.

Architecture and Optimization: Why the Gap Mattered

The performance gap stemmed from fundamental differences in chip design and ecosystem integration. Apple designs both the hardware and software, allowing deep optimization between iOS and the A11 Bionic. Tasks like launching apps, rendering animations, and processing camera data benefited from tight coordination between the OS and silicon.

Samsung’s Exynos 9810, while powerful, faced challenges. The custom Mongoose cores delivered strong peak performance but struggled with thermal throttling under sustained loads. Many reviewers noted that the Galaxy S8 would slow down after prolonged use, especially during gaming or video editing. In contrast, the iPhone X maintained consistent performance due to better thermal management and iOS’s efficient task scheduling.

Additionally, Apple’s two-performance-core design focused on maximizing per-core efficiency. Each Monsoon core could handle complex instructions more efficiently than the Exynos cores, thanks to wider execution units and improved branch prediction. This gave the A11 an edge in real-world scenarios where quick response times mattered.

Real-World Usage Comparison

A benchmark score only tells part of the story. How did these processors perform in daily use?

• App Launch Speed: The iPhone X consistently opened apps faster than the Galaxy S8, particularly heavy ones like Instagram, Adobe Lightroom, and games like PUBG Mobile.
• Gaming Performance: Titles like Asphalt 9 and Madden NFL Mobile ran at higher frame rates on the iPhone X with fewer stutters.
• Multitasking: Switching between apps felt snappier on iOS, partly due to background state preservation and the A11’s fast memory bandwidth.
• Camera Processing: The A11’s dedicated image signal processor (ISP) enabled faster photo capture, real-time depth mapping for Portrait Mode, and smoother 4K video encoding.

Even under demanding conditions—such as editing 4K videos or using ARKit-powered augmented reality apps—the iPhone X showed less lag and quicker processing times.

Mini Case Study: Video Editing Workflow

Consider a freelance photographer in 2017 who needed to edit and share travel footage on the go. Using LumaFusion on both devices, she found that exporting a 2-minute 4K clip took 3 minutes and 15 seconds on the iPhone X. On the Galaxy S8, the same export took 5 minutes and 8 seconds. The difference wasn’t trivial—it affected her ability to meet client deadlines while traveling.

She ultimately switched to the iPhone X full-time, citing not just speed but reliability: “It never slowed down, even when I was working in hot climates,” she said. “The Galaxy would throttle and restart my render halfway through.”

Detailed Processor Comparison Table

Feature	iPhone X (A11 Bionic)	Galaxy S8 (Exynos 9810)
Manufacturing Process	10nm (TSMC)	10nm (Samsung LPP)
CPU Configuration	2x Monsoon (high-performance), 4x Mistral (efficiency)	4x Mongoose M2 (custom), 4x Cortex-A55 (efficiency)
Clock Speed	2.39 GHz	2.8 GHz (peak)
Geekbench 4 Single-Core	~4,200	~2,900
Geekbench 4 Multi-Core	~10,000	~6,700
GPU	Apple-designed 3-core GPU	Mali-G71 MP20
Neural Engine	Yes (dedicated 600 billion ops/sec)	No
Thermal Throttling Behavior	Minimal	Moderate to severe under load

Why Clock Speed Isn’t Everything

One common misconception is that higher clock speeds mean better performance. The Exynos 9810 had a peak clock speed of 2.8 GHz, significantly higher than the A11’s 2.39 GHz. Yet, it still fell behind. Why?

Processor performance depends on Instructions Per Cycle (IPC)—how much work a core can do in one clock tick. Apple’s Monsoon cores had superior IPC due to deeper pipelines, better prefetching, and optimized microcode. As a result, even at lower frequencies, each A11 core executed more useful work per second.

Moreover, Samsung’s Mongoose cores consumed more power and generated more heat, forcing the system to throttle performance quickly. Apple’s efficiency cores also played a role: they handled background tasks seamlessly, freeing up the high-performance cores for active workloads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the Galaxy S8 ever catch up to the iPhone X in performance?

No, not during its lifecycle. While software updates improved efficiency, the Exynos 9810 never matched the A11 Bionic’s single-core dominance. Later Galaxy models with newer Exynos or Snapdragon chips closed the gap, but the S8 remained behind.

Was the Snapdragon 835 version of the Galaxy S8 faster than the Exynos model?

Slightly. The Snapdragon 835 variant performed better in multi-core benchmarks and had superior modem performance, but it still lagged behind the A11 in single-core tasks. Neither version surpassed the iPhone X in overall CPU performance.

Does processor speed still matter today if both phones are outdated?

Absolutely. Understanding past performance trends helps explain why Apple continues to lead in single-threaded performance and why Android manufacturers now prioritize efficiency and AI processing. The lessons from 2017 influenced chipset development for years.

Checklist: What to Consider When Comparing Smartphone Processors

1. Check single-core and multi-core benchmark scores from reliable sources (Geekbench, AnTuTu).
2. Research real-world performance reviews, not just specs.
3. Consider thermal throttling—some chips start fast but slow down quickly.
4. Evaluate software optimization: iOS devices often perform better due to tight hardware-software integration.
5. Look at long-term performance consistency, not just peak speed.
6. Factor in GPU, NPU, and ISP capabilities for photography, gaming, and AI features.

Conclusion: The Verdict on Speed

Back in 2017, the iPhone X had the faster processor—unequivocally. The A11 Bionic outperformed the Galaxy S8’s Exynos 9810 in every meaningful metric, especially in single-core performance, thermal stability, and real-world responsiveness. While Samsung offered innovative design and strong multimedia features, Apple’s silicon advantage was clear and impactful.

This wasn’t just a temporary win. The A11 Bionic cemented Apple’s reputation for leading-edge mobile chip design—a legacy that continues today. For users choosing between these phones at launch, the performance gap translated directly into smoother experiences, faster workflows, and greater reliability.

💬 Do you remember using either of these phones in 2017? Share your experience with the A11 vs Exynos performance in the comments below!