Cairo: Hani Kamal El-Din
In a stunning revelation, the iPad has triumphed over the iPhone in AnTuTu’s April 2025 performance rankings. For the first time in a long while, Apple’s powerful devices in the form of the iPad Pro and iPad Air have outpaced the flagship iPhone 16 Pro models, marking a significant shift in Apple’s device performance ecosystem.
While iPhone models were once synonymous with cutting-edge performance, this latest AnTuTu benchmark test highlights a surprising trend—iPads, particularly the iPad Pro series with the M4 chip, have claimed the top spots, leaving iPhones trailing behind. This shift could signal a new era in Apple’s hardware strategy, with tablets increasingly becoming the flagship devices.
The Rise of iPad Pro: M4 Chip Powers Apple’s New Leaders
The iPad Pro models, equipped with the latest Apple M4 chip, dominate the rankings, with the 11-inch and 13-inch versions securing the top two positions in the AnTuTu benchmark. These devices scored an impressive 2.51 million and 2.49 million points, respectively, outpacing all iPhone models in performance. The M4 chip seems to be the driving force behind the success of these tablets, providing significant improvements in processing power and efficiency.
Interestingly, the performance gap between iPad Pro and iPhone devices has never been wider, suggesting that Apple’s tablet lineup is now more powerful than ever, especially with the inclusion of M4 chip technology.
iPad Air: Surpassing Expectations with the M3 Chip
Coming in third place is the iPad Air, which, although not equipped with the latest M4 chip, still boasts remarkable performance thanks to the M3 chip. This model achieved 2.08 million points in AnTuTu, confirming its ability to outperform many iPhone models. The iPad Air, now equipped with Apple’s newest processors, is no longer just an entry-level device—it is a powerful competitor to the iPad Pro lineup.
The rise of the iPad Air demonstrates Apple’s strategy to create more performance-oriented mid-range devices, appealing to users who want power without paying the premium price of the iPad Pro.
The iPhone Performance Gap: What Went Wrong?
Despite the introduction of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, both of which are equipped with Apple’s latest A17 chip, these smartphones didn’t make the cut in the top 10 of AnTuTu’s performance rankings. iPhone 16 Pro Max came in at 11th place with 1.68 million points, and the iPhone 16 Pro was ranked 12th with 1.67 million points. This performance gap is particularly striking given the long-standing reputation of iPhones as the powerhouse of smartphones.
This results in the first-ever AnTuTu ranking where iPhone models, especially the flagship Pro variants, have failed to secure a place in the top tier of Apple’s powerful devices. While these devices still perform admirably, their performance has not matched the breakthroughs seen in the iPad series, particularly in tasks demanding heavy processing power.
A Shift in Apple’s Hardware Strategy: iPads Over iPhones?
Apple has always positioned the iPhone as the star of its hardware lineup, but the latest AnTuTu rankings suggest that the iPad may soon take center stage. With iPads consistently outperforming iPhones, Apple could be shifting its focus toward tablets as the primary devices for users who prioritize performance over portability.
The iPad Pro, powered by the M4 chip, is clearly the company’s most powerful device, and it’s possible that Apple will continue to push further innovations in the tablet space, leaving smartphones like the iPhone 16 Pro to catch up.
The Road Ahead: Will iPhone Catch Up?
Looking forward, it seems likely that iPhones will need significant upgrades to reclaim their place at the top of the performance charts. Apple’s reliance on its A-series chips for the iPhone lineup may no longer be enough to compete with the power and efficiency of the M-series chips used in iPads.
Apple’s next moves will be critical, as the company must decide whether to invest more heavily in enhancing iPhone performance or continue focusing on the growing dominance of iPads in the tablet market. With Apple’s powerful devices such as the iPad Pro taking the lead, Apple may soon find itself with a more tablet-centric product line than ever before.
