Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThe Apple A18 and MediaTek Dimensity 9500s have different strengths on paper: 91mobiles reports a higher A18 Geekbench single-core score, a higher Dimensity 9500s multi-core score, and a substantially higher—but internally inconsistent—AnTuTu score for the MediaTek chip. Those figures are not a controlled head-to-head test, so the better choice depends on the phone, its software and the way you use it.
How the chips differ
The A18 arrived in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus in September 2024. Apple lists a six-core CPU, five-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine for iPhone 16. The Dimensity 9500s is an Android smartphone platform that MediaTek specifies with an eight-core Arm CPU and Immortalis-G925 graphics. Its published core count alone does not determine how quickly a particular phone will run an app: software, cooling and device configuration also matter.
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| Specification | Apple A18 | MediaTek Dimensity 9500s |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Six-core CPU; Apple does not specify the core breakdown on the cited iPhone 16 page. Apple | 1× Arm Cortex-X925 up to 3.73GHz, 3× Cortex-X4 and 4× Cortex-A720; 12MB L3 cache and 10MB system-level cache. MediaTek |
| GPU | Five-core GPU. Apple | Immortalis-G925; MediaTek lists optional 11- or 12-core GPU configurations, so check the specific phone. MediaTek |
| AI hardware and platform | 16-core Neural Engine. Apple presents A18 as enabling Apple Intelligence features on iPhone 16. Apple announcement | MediaTek highlights AI capability; the product page does not specify a directly comparable AI-core count. MediaTek |
| Memory and connectivity | Not stated in the cited A18 product material as directly comparable values. | LPDDR5X memory, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 are listed platform capabilities. MediaTek |
| Process description | Apple calls it second-generation 3-nanometer technology. Apple announcement | MediaTek describes the Dimensity 9500s as a 3nm chip. MediaTek |
The manufacturers’ process labels are not enough to establish that the chips use directly equivalent fabrication processes or to predict which is faster or more efficient. Likewise, a phone’s actual memory, wireless feature support and GPU configuration can depend on how its maker implements the platform.
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The following results are reported by 91mobiles, retrieved October 7, 2026. They are third-party figures, not official Apple or MediaTek scores.
#1 Best Overall
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak), 2532x1170px at 460ppi, 4005mAh Battery
- 8GB RAM, Apple A18 6-core CPU (2 performance + 4 efficiency cores), Apple GPU 4-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18.3.1, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- Connectivity: Global 4G LTE, Sub-6 GHz 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C, Wireless Charging (7.5W). (does not have mmWave 5G or MagSafe or physical SIM card) - Dual eSIM Only
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Straight Talk., Etc.
| Benchmark | Apple A18 | Dimensity 9500s |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench single-core | 3,278 | 2,673 |
| Geekbench multi-core | 7,995 | 8,483 |
| AnTuTu | 1,764,170 | 3,022,675 in the page summary; 2,801,896 in its comparison table |
91mobiles’ comparison page gives two different AnTuTu totals for the Dimensity 9500s. They should not be treated as one settled score. The page also does not provide enough information to confirm matching phone models, software or benchmark versions, cooling, device condition and test procedures.
How to interpret the results
- The reported Geekbench figures favor A18 in single-core testing and Dimensity 9500s in multi-core testing.
- The AnTuTu results show a higher Dimensity 9500s figure in either location on the page, but the internal disagreement makes the exact comparison uncertain.
- Scores describe tested setups, not every phone using a chip. They cannot establish sustained performance, battery life or gaming behavior across devices.
Graphics, gaming and sustained performance
Apple lists a five-core A18 GPU and says it supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing. Apple also claims the redesigned iPhone 16 can deliver up to 30% higher sustained gaming performance; this is Apple’s description of its own device and is not a direct comparison with a Dimensity 9500s phone. In its A18-versus-A16 comparison, Apple claims the A18 GPU is up to 40% faster and 35% more efficient. Those figures are also vendor comparisons against A16, not against MediaTek’s chip. Apple’s announcement
Rank #2
- 6.1‑inch (diagonal) all‑screen OLED display
MediaTek specifies Immortalis-G925 graphics, ray tracing and optional 11- or 12-core GPU configurations. Its January 15, 2026 announcement promotes gaming frame-rate and efficiency capabilities, but those are platform claims rather than independent comparative measurements. Check which GPU configuration a particular phone uses, and whether the games you care about support the relevant graphics features. MediaTek’s announcement
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Neither the benchmark page nor the cited vendor material supplies a controlled cross-chip test that would establish which phone stays faster during a long gaming session. Cooling design, power limits and software tuning belong to the handset, not just the SoC.
Rank #3
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 90% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 365 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
AI, connectivity and video capabilities
On iPhone 16, Apple pairs A18’s 16-core Neural Engine with Apple Intelligence features. The experience therefore depends on Apple’s hardware and software ecosystem, as well as which features are available for the user’s language, region and software version; the Neural Engine core count is not a direct measure that can be compared with MediaTek’s AI claims.
MediaTek describes the Dimensity 9500s as supporting AI and lists Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, LPDDR5X and up to 8K video capture on its platform page. These are platform capabilities, not a guarantee that every phone will expose each feature. Check the handset specification sheet for actual wireless support, video modes and regional configuration.
Rank #4
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000nits (typ), 2000nits (HBM), 2556x1179px at 460ppi, 3561mAh Battery
- 128GB 8GB RAM, Apple A18 (3nm), Hexa-core (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.20 GHz), Apple GPU 5-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide + 12MP, f/2.2, ultrawide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/34/38/39/40/41/42/48/53/66/71, 5G: n1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/53/66/70/71/75/76/77/78/79 - Dual eSIM
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint., Etc.
Which phone should you choose?
These chips are not standalone consumer products. The practical decision is between phones that use them, with price, availability, software support and device implementation considered alongside benchmark results.
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Choose by ecosystem and device needs
- Consider an A18 iPhone if you want iOS and Apple’s integrated Apple Intelligence experience. Apple identifies iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus as A18 devices. Apple iPhone 16
- Consider a Dimensity 9500s Android phone if a specific handset offers the Android software, features and price you want. 91mobiles lists POCO X8 Pro Max and OPPO Find X9s as models using the chip, but confirm the exact regional model, configuration and current availability with the manufacturer or retailer. 91mobiles’ comparison page
Check the handset before buying
- Confirm the exact model and regional variant, not just the chip name.
- For gaming, check the phone’s cooling design, GPU configuration, supported games and independent device-level testing.
- For AI, verify that the features you want are supported on that phone, in your language and region.
- Compare software update commitments, storage and memory options, battery behavior and price for the actual models available to you.
Bottom line from the available evidence
The benchmark snapshot points to an A18 advantage in single-core Geekbench and a Dimensity 9500s advantage in multi-core Geekbench, while its AnTuTu comparison is both higher for MediaTek and internally inconsistent. Those results are useful clues, not a universal chip ranking. Pick the phone whose operating system, features, implementation and regional availability best fit you; the evidence here does not establish a controlled performance winner.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
