Apple will launch two new budget devices this morning, the iPhone 17e and the MacBook Neo, and early benchmark results show an unusual situation where the company’s cheaper iPhone actually delivers stronger CPU performance than its new low-cost Mac laptop.
Both devices rely on Apple’s A-series processors instead of the M-series chips that power most modern Macs, but the iPhone 17e uses the newer A19 chip, while the MacBook Neo runs the slightly older A18 Pro, which originally debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro lineup.
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According to early Geekbench benchmark results, the iPhone 17e clearly leads in CPU performance, which means Apple’s $599 phone posts higher scores than the $599 MacBook Neo.
Benchmark results comparison
- iPhone 17e multi-core score: 9,241
- MacBook Neo multi-core score: 8,668
- iPhone 17e single-core score: 3,607
- MacBook Neo single-core score: 3,461
- MacBook Neo Metal GPU score: 30,000 to 31,400
- iPhone 17e Metal GPU score: 31,000 to 31,600
Both devices include 8GB RAM to support Apple Intelligence features. Reviewers say that amount handles everyday tasks and light workloads without issues.
The MacBook Neo also marks the first Mac powered by an A-series chip, which makes it feel closer to an iPhone running macOS, and its real-world success will depend on how users respond to this new budget Mac strategy.
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