Samsung Galaxy S21 benchmarks leak — and they’re way behind iPhone 12

Samsung Galaxy S21 benchmarks leak — and they're mode backside iPhone 12

(Image credit: OnLeaks)

A couple of weeks ago, nosotros got our first leaked benchmarks of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus. At present the vanilla Galaxy S21 has besides appeared on Geekbench with similar results, as y'all would expect for 2 handsets anticipated to use the same core Snapdragon 888 chipset.

The phone, sporting the model number SM-G991U and running on the 'Lahaina' chipset, scores i,075 in unmarried-core tests, and 2,916 in multi-core. That'due south slightly weaker than the scores for the S21 Plus which achieved 1,120 and three,319 in the ii tests, merely but about within the general margin of fault for identical chipsets tested in dissimilar circumstances (just wait at the range of Samsung Galaxy S20 scores for proof).

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While these are solid figures that should provide a smoothen Android experience, the bad news is that it doesn't seem that Qualcomm'southward 5nm Snapdragon 888 SoC has done enough to close the gap with the Apple A14 that powers the iPhone 12, which achieved unmarried-core and multi-core Geekbench scores of 1,593 and iii,859, respectively.

Only it'due south important to note that benchmarks don't tell the total story – especially for a new chipset like the Snapdragon 888, which was only officially unveiled three days ago. There will exist plenty of optimization going on backside the scenes to make certain that the new chip performs as well as possible ahead of the S21's rumored January release date. And even if this really is as good as it gets, some of the chief improvements of the Snapdragon 888 — in photography, AI and gaming — won't be picked upwardly by Geekbench's test. It only measures computational speed.

Still, information technology does brand another subplot of the Samsung Galaxy S21'south release a little more interesting: where does this leave Exynos 2100 powered devices? In past years, Galaxy Due south and Note devices bought in the Usa have used Qualcomm Snapdragon chips, while those purchased elsewhere have had Samsung'south own Exynos equivalent. Generally speaking, while no slouch, the Exynos chips have been visibly slower when tested side by side.

This year, however, it looks like the gap may be closing a little. An earlier leaked criterion of the Exynos 2100 showed Geekbench 5 scores of i,040 and three,107 – pretty close to the S21 scores revealed hither.

We'll have to see if this performance holds for both versions of the handset when they launch in early on 2021. While we're expecting usual iterative changes from the S20 to S21, the real action is set up to take place with the S21 Ultra model, which is due to feature a LTPO display, two optical zoom lenses and possible S Pen back up.

Freelance contributor Alan has been writing about tech for over a decade, covering phones, drones and everything in between. Previously Deputy Editor of tech site Alphr, his words are constitute all over the spider web and in the occasional mag as well. When not weighing up the pros and cons of the latest smartwatch, yous'll probably notice him tackling his always-growing games backlog. Or, more likely, playing Spelunky for the millionth time.