Photon is Databricks' vectorized query engine for SQL and supported DataFrame operations. It can reduce runtime, but its cost effect depends on the workload and the applicable DBU rate.
A Photon-enabled workload may finish sooner while consuming a higher DBU rate. The result is a saving only when the reduction in runtime offsets the higher rate, or when the shorter runtime has independent value.
Compare DBUs, cloud infrastructure, execution time, and output over representative queries. A benchmark that uses only one small query does not establish production cost. Databricks documents Photon and supported workloads.