Hey everyone!
If you’re here, you’re likely as hyped as I am about getting Yuzu to run on Android with some solid FPS! It’s been incredible seeing Yuzu’s progression on Android, but let’s be real—the emulation experience isn’t consistent across devices or drivers, and I’m all about maximizing every last frame.
I’m here to give you the lowdown on GPU drivers that work best for Yuzu on Android, especially if you’ve got an Adreno GPU on board.
My Testing Setup: Phones, Drivers, and Games
To get this info, I’ve been running daily tests on various builds, mostly sourced from GitHub. I’ve tested each version with different drivers to see just what impact they have on FPS and overall gameplay smoothness.
So far, Build 171 has been the top performer for achieving high FPS, even though the latest build (177 as of now) does okay as well.
Here’s what I’ve been working with:
- Motorola Edge 20 Pro with Snapdragon 870
- Motorola Edge 30 Fusion with Snapdragon 888+
Both these phones have Adreno GPUs, so if you’re rocking something similar, this guide should hit close to home.
But heads up—performance will vary, especially if you’re on an Adreno 7xx series (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and above).
Best Drivers for Adreno 6xx GPUs (Snapdragon 888+ and Below)
Let’s talk drivers. From all the testing I’ve done, I’ve found that the latest driver isn’t always the best. In fact, if you’re using an Adreno 6xx GPU, here are my recommendations.
1. Freedreno Turnip Vulkan Driver v23.2.0
This has been my go-to driver, especially on the Snapdragon 888+ and below.
Why? It provides smooth performance with very few graphical glitches, which is rare.
Sure, I could get the latest driver from K11MCH1 on GitHub, but that version introduced minor graphical glitches in some games.
If you’re willing to test for yourself, you might notice an FPS increase of 1-2 frames with K11MCH1’s latest release, but those glitches can be a pain.
So, if you want stable visuals without sacrificing too much on FPS, Turnip v23.2.0 is where it’s at.
2. K11MCH1 Latest Vulkan Driver (Adreno 6xx)
Like I mentioned, this driver from GitHub can sometimes squeeze out a bit more FPS, especially for some games, but be prepared for slight graphical issues.
If you’re into experimenting or don’t mind occasional graphical quirks, give this a shot and see if it boosts your gameplay.
Switching between the two drivers can give you a good comparison of how performance changes, so it’s worth the time if you’re chasing those last few frames.
Testing Different Games on Adreno GPUs
Testing wasn’t a small feat; I wanted to cover a wide range of games to see how each driver performs. Here’s a snapshot of my FPS results across some popular titles.
Game Performance Breakdown (5-Minute Tests):
- Mario Kart 8: 29-53 FPS
- Zelda BOTW: Steady 25-30 FPS across most areas
- Tales of Vesperia: 60 FPS while fighting, dips to 45 FPS during cutscenes
- Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition: Steady 30 FPS
- Super Mario Odyssey: 60 FPS in general, but dips to 25 FPS during cutscenes
- Bayonetta 2: 30 FPS most of the time
- Red Dead Redemption: 15 FPS on average
- Batman: Arkham Knight: 14 FPS generally
These tests were conducted with default settings in Yuzu, which, based on my trials, tend to give the best balance of stability and performance.
Download GPU Drivers
Alright, now that you’ve got a solid idea of which GPU driver might give your Android device that extra boost, feel free to check out my complete list of GPU drivers to find the one that fits your setup perfectly!
Keep in mind, though, you may not hit peak performance with the first driver you try. Don’t worry—just run a bit of trial and error to find the best match for your device. Sometimes it takes a bit of testing to settle on the driver that really makes your games shine!
Optimal Settings for Yuzu on Android: Get Every Last Frame
After trying out numerous configurations, here are the settings that worked best for me. If you’re running into issues or your performance feels lackluster, try these adjustments:
- Accuracy Levels: Set to High. If a game crashes at the same point repeatedly, high accuracy can often prevent that.
- V-sync: Set to Immediate (off) or FIFO (Relaxed). This setting reduces stuttering without overloading the system.
- Asynchronous Shaders: Enable this. I’ve noticed minimal changes here, but it still smooths out gameplay for some titles.
- Audio Output Engine: Set this to Cubeb, especially if you’re playing Tales of Vesperia (which had audio issues for me until I switched to Cubeb).
Using these settings won’t magically turn every game into 60 FPS, but it’ll give you a noticeable boost in stability and performance.
Adreno 7xx GPUs (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and Above): What to Expect
For those of you with Adreno 7xx GPUs, the performance results may vary slightly. Yuzu on Android for newer GPUs like these is still an evolving space, so you might experience even better results with the K11MCH1 Vulkan Driver or newer builds.
Remember that drivers are constantly being updated, and each build can introduce new optimizations or, sometimes, new bugs.
Yuzu Emulator’s Ongoing Development: Where Things Are Headed
If any Yuzu developers are reading this, I’ve noticed some games are facing regressions in newer builds. For instance, Mario Kart 8 maintained around 45 FPS in build 83 but struggles to reach 30 FPS in build 171 and later.
This could be due to Yuzu still running JIT, and it might stabilize with newer updates that support NCE. No pressure! Just a heads-up in case it’s helpful.
What Yuzu Driver Should You Use?
In summary, if you’re looking for the best GPU driver for Yuzu Emulator on Android and you’re running an Adreno 6xx series, Freedreno Turnip Vulkan Driver v23.2.0 is a solid choice for stability and minimal glitches.
If you’re running a newer Adreno 7xx series, feel free to experiment with the latest Vulkan Driver by K11MCH1, as it could give you those extra frames you’re after.
Every phone is a little different, so while these drivers and settings should work wonders on most Adreno devices, your mileage might vary.
And don’t forget, I’ll keep testing each new build, and if any improvements roll out, I’ll be sure to update you right here!
Cheers to smooth emulation, and happy gaming!
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