Apple M3 Max (16-core) vs Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100
71.2Single-core73.6
71Multi-core64
93.3Efficiencyspec-based93.3
—iGPU75.6
60Platformspec-based62.2
5 spec wins — Apple M3 Max (16-core)6 spec wins — Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100
InnoReviews verdict
This one is close to a dead heat: Apple M3 Max (16-core) scores 72.9 against 71.7 for Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100. Pick by the categories that matter to you — Apple M3 Max (16-core) edges ahead in multi-core, or by price.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Apple M3 Max (16-core)
- Stronger multi-core score: 71 vs 64
- 44% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 24,200 vs 16,808
- 20% higher Cinebench R23 (single): 1,950 vs 1,629
Reasons to pick the Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100
- 50% higher Efficiency cores: 6 vs 4
- 22% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 3,814 vs 3,130
- 16% higher Boost clock: 4.7 GHz vs 4.1 GHz
- 13% higher cores: 18 vs 16
- 13% higher threads: 18 vs 16
General
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2025 |
| Process | 3 nm | 3 nm |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16 | 18+13% |
| Performance cores | 12 | 12 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 6+50% |
| Threads | 16 | 18+13% |
| Boost clock | 4.1 GHz | 4.7 GHz+16% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100 |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 40-core GPU | Qualcomm Adreno X2-90 |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,700 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | LPDDR5x-9523 |
| Max memory | 128 GB | 128 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M3 Max (16-core) | Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,130Top 11% | 3,814+22%Top 6% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 21,200+4%Top 6% | 20,325Top 7% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,950+20%Top 27% | 1,629Bottom 36% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 24,200+44%Top 12% | 16,808Top 33% |
| PassMark | 41,192+9%Top 12% | 37,821Top 13% |
| PassMark (single thread) | 4,780+7%Top 4% | 4,470Top 11% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | — | 3,666Top 15% |
Related comparisons
Apple M3 Max (16-core)vs Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX PlusVSApple M3 Max (16-core)vs Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-94-100VSApple M3 Max (16-core)vs AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3DVSApple M3 Max (16-core)vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285HXVSQualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100vs Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-94-100VSQualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285HXVSQualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100vs AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395VSQualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100vs Intel Core Ultra 9 275HXVS

