Apple’s A19 Pro Outpaces Ryzen 9 9950X in Single-Thread Geekbench — iPhone 17 Pro Boasts 11-12% CPU Boost, 37% GPU Leap Over A18 Pro
Hey, tech lovers and casual scrollers alike: If you’ve been wondering if that dusty desktop in your office is still pulling its weight, buckle up. Apple’s just dropped the A19 Pro chip in the iPhone 17 Pro lineup, and it’s flexing harder than ever. We’re talking single-thread Geekbench scores that leave AMD’s beastly Ryzen 9 9950X in the dust. Yeah, you read that right — a phone chip schooling a desktop CPU. In true BuzzFeed fashion, let’s break down why this is the plot twist your feed didn’t see coming, complete with mind-blowing benchmarks and what it means for your next upgrade.
1. Single-Thread Speed: The iPhone That’s Outrunning Your PC Beast
Imagine this: You’re trying to load a massive app or edit a quick video on your phone, and it feels snappier than your high-end rig. That’s the reality with the A19 Pro’s single-thread performance hitting 3,895 points in Geekbench 6. 0 For context, AMD’s Ryzen 9 9950X — the flagship desktop CPU that’s supposed to crush everything — clocks in around 3,482 points in similar tests. 5 That’s an 11.8% lead for the phone chip. How? Apple’s focus on instructions per clock (IPC) and branch prediction makes everyday tasks like browsing or app switching feel lightning-fast, even if the Ryzen dominates in raw multi-threaded power (think video rendering marathons).
It’s like your iPhone just joined the gym and started lifting weights heavier than your PC’s. Desktop fans, don’t cry — this just means mobiles are catching up in the responsiveness game.
2. CPU Bump: 11-12% Faster Than Last Year’s Pro — But It’s the Sustained Magic That Wins
Upgrading from an iPhone 16 Pro? The A19 Pro’s six-core CPU (two performance, four efficiency) delivers an 11% single-core and 12% multi-core boost over the A18 Pro, scoring a silky 9,746 in multi-threaded Geekbench. 0 But here’s the real flex: Paired with a new vapor chamber cooling system (yep, like in gaming laptops), it sustains up to 40% better performance during long sessions — no more throttling mid-game or edit. 31
Picture binge-watching edits or running AI tools without your phone turning into a space heater. It’s not revolutionary on paper, but in your hand? Game-changer. And against rivals like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite? Apple wins by 36% in single-core. 0 Sorry, Android squad — iOS just got even smoother.
3. GPU Glow-Up: 37% Faster Graphics? Hello, Console-Level Gaming On Your Phone
Now, the star of the show: That six-core GPU is up 37% over the A18 Pro’s, smashing a 45,657 Metal score in Geekbench 6. 22 (For the record, the predecessor hovered around 32,673.) 41 This puts it on par with Apple’s M2 chip from iPads and entry-level Macs — meaning ray-traced games, AR filters, and video effects that rival your PS5. 41
With Neural Accelerators baked into each GPU core, it’s 3-4x faster for AI tasks like real-time blurring or upscaling. 40 Gaming on the go? Titles like Arknights: Endfield will run buttery smooth without dipping frames. If you’re into mobile esports or just hate laggy edits, this is the upgrade that’ll make you ditch the controller.
4. Why This Matters: Your Phone Is Becoming Your Everything Device
Let’s be real — who still hauls a laptop for quick tasks? The A19 Pro isn’t just faster; it’s smarter. Built on TSMC’s refined 3nm process, it sips power for better battery life (hello, all-day gaming), and that aluminum unibody spreads heat like a pro. 24 Multi-core? It edges out the M4 in single-thread but trails in heavy lifting (9,746 vs. over 14,000). 29 Still, for a pocket-sized powerhouse, it’s unbeatable.
BuzzFeed quiz time: Are you Team “My phone’s my PC” or Team “Desktop forever”? Either way, Apple’s blurring the lines. With iOS 26 optimizations and Apple Intelligence supercharged, your iPhone 17 Pro could handle more than you think — from editing 4K vids to running local AI models without breaking a sweat.
The Verdict: Upgrade If You’re A Power User, Chill If You’re Casual
If you’re rocking an iPhone 15 or older, this is your sign — 20% CPU and 30% GPU jumps over the A17 Pro await. 45 iPhone 16 Pro owners? Wait for the 2nm A20 next year for bigger leaps. But for gamers, creators, and AI enthusiasts? The A19 Pro is the future in your pocket. Who knew beating a Ryzen would make your morning coffee scroll so satisfying?
What do you think — is your phone ready to replace your PC? Drop your hot takes below! 🚀