When buying a new smartphone or evaluating the performance of an existing device, you often hear the phrase: “How much does it gain in Antututu?” For owners of the Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO ecosystem, this question is especially acute, since these models are often positioned as leaders in terms of price and power ratio. Benchmark AnTuTu Benchmark has become the de facto industry standard, allowing you to translate the complex technical specifications of the processor into understandable numbers.
But blind trust in a single digit can lead to misleading conclusions. Many users don't understand what a score is made of and why it can be different on the same device. In this article, we'll take a closer look at how the test works, how it runs on the shell of MIUI and HyperOS, and how to distinguish real-world metrics from marketing tricks.
Understanding the principles of the benchmark will help you not only when choosing a gadget in the store, but also when diagnosing problems with the performance of the system in the future.
The essence of the benchmark and the principle of algorithms
AnTuTu Benchmark is a comprehensive application that loads all key components of a smartphone to assess their performance. Unlike simple tests, it does not only check the processor. The algorithm puts a strain on the graphics accelerator, the memory module, and even evaluates user experience by simulating everyday tasks.
It's important to understand that the total score is not an absolute constant, but it depends on a variety of factors, including operating system version, background processes, and even the body temperature at the time of the test, which is why test results conducted at temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius can be understated by 15-20% due to trottling.
The system evaluates four main areas: first, the CPU, which is responsible for computing; second, the GPU, which is critical for gaming; third, MEM, data speed; and fourth, UX, which checks the responsiveness of the interface.
- 🚀 CPU: Tests mathematical calculations, encryption and image processing by the processor.
- 🎮 GPU: Evaluates graphical power through rendering complex 3D-real-time scenes.
- 💾 MEM: Measures the speed of reading and writing internal memory, as well as RAM.
- 👆 UX: Simulates scrolling lists, launching apps and multitasking.
Each of these components contributes to the overall result: In modern versions of the application, the weightings can vary, making comparisons between different versions (e.g. v9 and v10) incorrect.
⚠️ Warning: Never compare scores between different versions of the AnTuTu app. The scoring algorithms in version 10 have been completely redesigned, so 1,000,000 points in the scoring code. v9 not equal to 1,000,000 v10.
Interpretation of results: from public sector to flagships
The numbers in Antututu can be scary with their size, but for the owner of a Xiaomi smartphone, it is not an absolute value that matters, but getting into the expected range for a particular model. If your flagship scores significantly less than indicated in the reviews, this is cause for concern.
For current models, there are approximate performance ranges. Budget devices based on Helio processors or older Snapdragon usually do not exceed certain values. The middle segment represented by the Redmi Note series shows a steady growth in performance.
Flagship solutions like the Xiaomi 14 or POCO F series set the tone in the industry, and are often used by marketers to prove their superiority over competitors, but it’s worth remembering that in real life, the difference between 800,000 and 900,000 points can be subtle.
Below is a table with indicative results for different classes of devices at the moment:
| Class of device | Example of Xiaomi/Redmi model | Expected score range (v10) |
|---|---|---|
| Budgetary | Redmi 13C / POCO C65 | 200 000 - 250 000 |
| Medium. | Redmi Note 13 Pro | 550 000 - 650 000 |
| Subflagship | POCO F5 / F6 | 850 000 - 1 000 000+ |
| Flagship | Xiaomi 14 / 14 Pro | 1 500 000 - 1 800 000+ |
This data will help you quickly assess whether your device meets the declared characteristics. A significant deviation in a smaller direction may indicate a software failure or wear of the drive.
How to run the MIUI and HyperOS test correctly
The MIUI shells and the new HyperOS have deep integration with the system, which can affect test results. Standard operating mode often limits background activity to save battery life, which can artificially understate the benchmark performance.
To get the most objective data, it is recommended to use a built-in optimization tool. The Security app often has a Performance section that allows you to switch the smartphone to high power mode, which disables some power saving restrictions.
Before you run the test, close all background apps. Swipe from the bottom up and press the memory clean button. Also make sure that the screen does not run widgets or heavy wallpaper that can consume GPU resources during the test.
☑️ Preparing a smartphone for the test
Do not run the test immediately after turning on the phone or after a long load (for example, playing), give the device 5-10 minutes of rest, so that the processor cools down and goes into normal operation.
Effect of temperature and operating mode on the final score
Temperature is one of the most critical factors that is often overlooked: Snapdragon and Dimensity are very sensitive to heat, and when you reach a certain threshold, the trottling mechanism works, which forcefully reduces the core frequencies.
If you run an annotation on a hot smartphone, you'll see a sharp drop in performance in the second half of the test, especially in the graphics part.It doesn't mean the phone is bad, it's just the system protects itself from overheating.
The ideal conditions for testing are room temperature (20-22 degrees) and no direct sunlight. Some enthusiasts even use external coolers for smartphones to get the maximum acceleration result, but this does not reflect the real-world operating conditions.
- 🌡️ Heating: Direct sunlight or cover can raise the temperature on the surface 5-7 degree.
- 🔋 Charge: When charging the phone warms up stronger, the test is better to carry out from the battery.
- ⚙️ Background: Synchronizing photos or downloading updates can eat up to 10% of power.
⚠️ Note: Do not test if the smartphone has just been removed from a cold environment (such as a winter street), condensation and a sharp temperature drop can damage the electronics, and the system will give incorrect data.
The problem of fake results and “gamer modes”
In the smartphone industry, especially in the Chinese brand segment, there is the concept of “benchmark optimization,” a software trick where the system recognizes the launch of a popular test and puts the processor in maximum performance mode, ignoring heating and power consumption.
Xiaomi and POCO devices often feature Game Turbo mode. If Antoutu is added to the list of games, it can launch with resource priority. This gives a high score, but in conventional applications the phone will run slower and more economical.
How do you check the integrity of the test? Pay attention to the behavior of the smartphone during the test, if the body was hot so that it can not be held in your hands, or if after the test the battery was dead by 15-20% in 5 minutes, most likely, aggressive optimization worked.
Hidden Developer Settings
Also beware of modified versions of Antututu's app, which can be preinstalled in questionable firmware builds. Always download the benchmark only from the official Google Play store.
Comparison with other benchmarks: Geekbench and 3DMark
Antutu is not the only way to measure power. The complete picture is taken in a holistic way. Geekbench focuses solely on processor performance (single-core and multi-core), ignoring graphics and memory.
3DMark, in turn, specializes in graphics and FPS stability in games. If Antututu gives an overall score "for the tick," then 3DMark will show whether your POCO or Xiaomi can keep a stable 60 frames in heavy play in 20 minutes.
For the average user, Antoutu is the easiest and most understandable tool, but you shouldn't rely on it alone. If you need a phone to work with documents, you won't need a high score in the graphics. If you're playing games, look at GPU scores first.
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Keep screenshots of the test results with date and time, which will help track the degradation of battery and processor performance after a year or two of using the device.
In conclusion, Xiaomi’s Antoutu is a powerful yet powerful tool that requires the right approach. Numbers are important, but more important is how the device behaves in your hands in everyday tasks.
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A high score in Antututu guarantees a power reserve for the future, but does not always mean better system optimization for everyday tasks.