Sniper Elite 4 Shines as a Tiny Marvel on the iPhone 16 Pro

I\’ve often come across the phrase \’console-quality graphics\’ being thrown around regarding first-person shooter or action-adventure mobile games. However, very few have truly lived up to this standard, particularly when considering older console generations—until recently though, things seem to be changing.

With the
iPhone 15 Pro
Apple’s A17 Pro chip introduced the capability to play genuine console games directly.
Death Stranding
, despite some minor hiccups in performance and lower resolution. However, we\’re still enjoying a genuine AAA, fully-featured console game that runs on a compact device small enough to fit in your pocket.

The
iPhone 16 Pro
Then raised the stakes – quite literally – with the A18 Pro chip, promising an enhancement in gaming performance.

Taking aim

I recently got an opportunity to test out the iOS version of
Sniper Elite 4
on such a chip as mine
iPhone 16 Pro Max
.

If you aren’t already acquainted, the
Sniper Elite
The games belong to the genre of third-person tactical shooters based during World War II. In these titles, players must eliminate their objectives through the use of stealth tactics and long-range attacks across expansive open-world environments. These games gained recognition for their graphic kill sequences, which feature detailed slow-motion depictions showing the precise path of bullets as they penetrate a Nazi soldier\’s body, shattering bones, tearing apart tissues, and rupturing organs vividly.

Released way back in 2017 for the
PlayStation 4
,
Xbox One
and PC,
Sniper Elite 4
it wasn\’t particularly ahead of its time, but it was still visually impressive. I played it a few years back on an
Xbox One X
After it was improved for that upgraded console, I really enjoyed myself, particularly when playing cooperatively with a buddy.

Returning after many years, I wondered how it would perform on a contemporary smartphone.

To start with, I have to admit that my expectations were not particularly high… although they weren\’t exactly low considering the capabilities of Apple’s claimed in-house processor—especially since we\’re discussing an older game instead of something more demanding like the latest titles.
Cyberpunk 2077
.

And thus, with assistance from a
Backbone One Gen 2
using a mobile controller, I plunged into
Sniper Elite 4
.

Sniper level treatment, yet not exactly elite.

Right from the start, I\’m impressed with how well the game appears on iOS; the sun shining through the fluffy clouds looks quite realistic, buildings have decent detail, and the lifelike character models far surpass the simplistic, low-polygon plastic soldiers I anticipated. However, it\’s not perfect—some of the vegetation seems somewhat two-dimensional, and running at a 720p resolution reveals plenty of jagged edges.

Additionally, there are several limitations present. Primarily, the frame rate tops out at approximately 30 frames per second — this may seem sufficient theoretically, but within a game that demands precise timing, it falls short of being optimal. Coupled with occasional drops in performance, the gameplay can become somewhat shaky during intense moments.

The second problem lies with the integrated touchscreen controls, which expect quite a lot from a relatively small 6.7-inch screen. Perhaps those skilled at
Call of Duty: Warzone for Mobile
will provide a distinct experience, however, I suggest playing with one of the
best mobile controllers
instead.

Still, overall, the experience left an impression on me. It feels akin to playing something on my own.
Steam Deck
; the game still appears quite appealing, even with noticeable trade-offs in details and clarity. Therefore, I wouldn’t mind dedicating a significant amount of time to it.
Sniper Elite 4
To kill time during a dull trip or while basking in the sunlight.

It’s also promising in another way: iOS could become the home of proper console-quality gaming on smartphones. When the currently rumoured but almost inevitable
iPhone 17
comes around, I expect Apple to equip it with a new and improved chip.

While AI performance will likely be the focus thanks to its current
Apple Intelligence
Push, I\’m really looking forward to witnessing an increase in gaming performance for generations to come as well.

This might then pave the way for increasingly rigorous console games to make their debut on iOS.

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