The ARMSX3's performance improved with version 1.6.5, released on November 6, 2026 for PlayStation 3 games on Android. According to the official notes, the emulator went from 12 to 25 FPS in the initial robot fight in Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction on a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The team also reported Stable 60 FPS in Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) on a Snapdragon 8 Elite device. The numbers are developer tests, not independent benchmarks.
ARMSX3 performance in Ratchet & Clank
First, the mentioned test takes place in one of the heaviest fights in Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction. Therefore, the increase from 12 to 25 frames per second represents more than double the performance in that section, according to fix author @k1r4ct. However, this does not mean that every game runs at 25 FPS on any phone, since the scene, chip, settings, and drivers make a difference.
Next, in Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), the update modifies the waiting for signals between the game and the SPU units. Thus, instead of blocking on every signal, the system only waits when the previous signal has not yet been processed. Therefore, the author claims to have observed 60 FPS on the Snapdragon 8 Elite, without publishing an independent comparative test for other devices.
SPU consumes less CPU and LSFG becomes lighter
In turn, the ARMSX3 1.6.5 version reduces SPU thread consumption when there is no pending work. In a test with Spider-Man: Web of Shadows on the Snapdragon 8 Elite, the author reported a drop in CPU utilization from a range of 70–80% to approximately 30–50%. This measurement is not a promise of similar performance on every device.
On the other hand, frame generation became lighter. For example, the team mentions Web of Shadows maintaining the 30 rendering FPS with LSFG x2 enabled to display 60 frames. In other words, this means that the effect adds estimated frames; it is not equivalent to native 60 FPS of logic or rendering. Therefore, the feature should not be confused with DLSS 5.
ARMSX3 Performance: other fixes
In addition to performance gains, the version improves graphical compilation on the processor's efficiency cores. According to the team, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 now uses three workers instead of two. The team also adjusted the performance overlay so that it remains stable during screen rotation.
Similarly, another important improvement appears in data backup: the app now suggests file names that include the version, such as ARMSX3-backup-1.6.5.zip. In addition, library and settings searches receive fixes for physical keyboards. Finally, the developers report that Linux builds are working again; this does not mean there is a public Linux installer equivalent to the Android APKs in this release.
How to update ARMSX3 1.6.5
To update, the official repository provides APKs for four Android and CPU variants. Before replacing an older version, back up your saves and settings. However, some old save states may not work after core changes; it is also preferable to have in-game internal saves.
- Open the official 1.6.5 release and check your device's Android version, SDK level, and ARMv8 support.
- Download the APK corresponding to your variant; do not blindly choose an Android 15 package for an older system.
- Install the update while keeping your personal files and existing library; if Android prompts for installation permission, verify the package's origin.
- Open the library, check the rendering settings and test your games. The numbers released by the developer do not guarantee identical performance on your phone.
GitHub officially lists the four APK files and their variants in the public release. In addition, the installers do not include PS3 games, firmware or third-party protected files. If you need to know the XMB interface, also check out article about ARMSX3 1.6.2 and the XMB mode.
What changes compared to ARMSX3 1.6.4?
Previously, the update 1.6.4 had fixed crashes and improved other sections of Ratchet & Clank. Meanwhile, the 1.6.5 brings concrete measurements for the initial fight of Tools of Destruction, in addition to the news on Sonic 2006, SPU and frame generation. Our previous article in the ARMSX3 1.6 series explains the evolution of the fixes.
In short, ARMSX3's performance advances in development, not a guarantee that any PS3 game will run smoothly on Android.
Source: official ARMSX3 1.6.5 release notes on GitHub, published on November 6, 2026. The FPS and percentages are statements from the project team.
