iPhone 16 Pro Max Challenges Galaxy S25 Ultra in Resident Evil 3 Remake Mobile Gaming Test
Resident Evil 3 Remake has arrived on Apple's mobile platform. This release sparks debate about its performance on the latest smartphone hardware. YouTube channel Dame Tech compared the new iPhone 16 Pro Max with its A18 Pro chip to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and Snapdragon 8 Elite. This comparison aims to determine the superior smartphone for gaming.
Setting Up a Comparative Test
The test aimed for fairness given the circumstances. The iPhone 16 Pro Max ran the native iOS version of Resident Evil 3 Remake from the App Store. The Galaxy S25 Ultra faced a different setup due to the absence of an official Android release. The Gamefusion emulator was used to run the game on the Samsung device.
To ensure a reasonably balanced test, both phones used these settings:
- Low in-game graphic settings.
- 720p screen resolution.
MetalFX technology on the iPhone was disabled to avoid giving it an unfair advantage. No scaling technologies were used on either phone.
Visual and Performance Outcomes
Despite identical in-game settings, visual differences were apparent. The iPhone 16 Pro Max presented a sharper and more defined image. The Galaxy S25 Ultra's visuals appeared softer and almost blurry. The sharpness levels differed noticeably between the devices.
Performance mirrored this visual disparity. The iPhone 16 Pro Max achieved smoother gameplay, averaging around 47 frames per second (fps). The Galaxy S25 Ultra lagged behind, delivering approximately 25 fps. This represents a significant difference in gameplay fluidity.
Power Efficiency and Thermal Performance
Power consumption and heat generation also revealed insights during gameplay:
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: Consumed approximately 6.7W of power, reaching a peak temperature of 37 degrees Celsius.
- Galaxy S25 Ultra: Consumed more power at 8.3W and reached a higher temperature of 46 degrees Celsius.
These results indicate the A18 Pro chip's superior efficiency in this test. It demonstrates better power management and cooler operation.
Emulator Influence: A Key Consideration
It is important to acknowledge that this test is not a direct comparison. The Galaxy S25 Ultra's use of an emulator introduces a significant variable. Emulation inherently carries overhead, which can negatively impact performance, power usage, and heat. While the test reveals performance gaps, it is not a pure comparison of raw silicon capabilities between the Snapdragon 8 Elite and A18 Pro in native gaming scenarios.
Concluding Remarks: iPhone Leads, Context Matters
The iPhone 16 Pro Max demonstrated superior performance in playing Resident Evil 3 Remake in this test. It offered enhanced visuals, smoother gameplay, and better power efficiency. However, the Android emulation factor prevents a definitive conclusion about absolute hardware dominance. The results primarily highlight the current advantage of a native game port over emulation in this specific instance. Evaluating native Android gaming would require examining platform-optimized games or native ports.
