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Apple A12 Bionic

Apple A12 Bionic

The Apple A12 Bionic is a System on a Chip (SoC) from Apple that is found in the iPhone Xs and Xr. It was announced late 2018 and offers 6 cores divided in 2 performance cores and four power efficiency cores. Compared to the previous A11 Bionic, the A12 should offer a 15% improved CPU performance for the performance cores and a 50% lower power consumption for the efficiency cores (both according to Apple).

The chip also includes a new GPU that is advertised as 50% faster, the M12 Motion co-processor and a Neural Engine with 8 cores for up to 5 trillion operations per second.

With 6.9 billion transistors, the A12 Bionic is a big chip especially compared to the Snapdragon 835 (3 Billion) or a Skylake desktop quad-core Soc (1.75 Billion). Compared to the A11, the A12 integrates 60% more transistors.

SeriesApple Apple A-Series

Series: Apple A-Series

Apple A15 Bionic compare2.02 - 3.23 GHz6 / 6 cores32 MB L3
Apple A12 Bionic « - 2.49 GHz6 / 6 cores
Clock Rate <=2490 MHz
Level 1 Cache256 KB
Level 2 Cache8 MB
Number of Cores / Threads6 / 6
Transistor Count6900 Million
Manufacturing Technology7 nm
FeaturesARMv8 Instruction Set
GPUApple A12 Bionic GPU
64 Bit64 Bit support
ArchitectureARM
Announcement Date09/12/2018

Benchmarks

3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited Physics
min: 27400     avg: 27548     median: 27547 (23%)     max: 27717 Points
+ 5 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
3DMark - 3DMark Sling Shot Extreme (ES 3.1) Unlimited Physics
min: 2723     avg: 3064     median: 3056 (38%)     max: 3347 Points
+ 6 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
3DMark - 3DMark Sling Shot (ES 3.0) Unlimited Physics
min: 2880     avg: 3129     median: 2961 (7%)     max: 3493 Points
+ 6 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Geekbench 5.5 - Geekbench 5.1 - 5.4 64 Bit Single-Core
min: 1116     avg: 1118     median: 1117.5 (47%)     max: 1119 points
+ 2 benchmarks and specifications   - Hide comparison chart
Geekbench 5.5 - Geekbench 5.1 - 5.4 64 Bit Multi-Core
min: 2772     avg: 2815     median: 2814.5 (5%)     max: 2857 points
+ 2 benchmarks and specifications   - Hide comparison chart
Geekbench 5.0 - Geekbench 5.0 64 Bit Single-Core
1118 points (5%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Geekbench 5.0 - Geekbench 5.0 64 Bit Multi-Core
2910 points (9%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Single-Core
min: 4750     avg: 4779     median: 4774 (48%)     max: 4824 points
+ 5 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Multi-Core
min: 11244     avg: 11418     median: 11480 (13%)     max: 11598 points
+ 5 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Kraken 1.1 Total Score *
min: 603     avg: 627     median: 626.5 (1%)     max: 653 ms
+ 6 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Octane V2 - Octane V2 Total Score
min: 41367     avg: 42312     median: 42333.5 (39%)     max: 43280 Points
+ 6 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
WebXPRT 3 - WebXPRT 3 Score
min: 155     avg: 159.5     median: 159.5 (33%)     max: 166 Points
+ 6 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
AnTuTu v7 - AnTuTu v7 MEM
min: 7312     avg: 9998     median: 10135.5 (31%)     max: 12409 Points
+ 4 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
AnTuTu v7 - AnTuTu v7 UX
min: 59570     avg: 65177     median: 66701 (82%)     max: 67735 Points
+ 4 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
AnTuTu v7 - AnTuTu v7 GPU
min: 129473     avg: 147840     median: 151931 (47%)     max: 158023 Points
+ 4 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
AnTuTu v7 - AnTuTu v7 CPU
min: 106600     avg: 124761     median: 127986 (78%)     max: 136472 Points
+ 4 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
AnTuTu v7 - AnTuTu v7 Total Score
min: 302955     avg: 347775     median: 358800 (63%)     max: 370545 Points
+ 4 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
AnTuTu v8 - AnTuTu v8 UX
min: 71574     avg: 71607     median: 71606.5 (60%)     max: 71639 Points
+ 2 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
AnTuTu v8 - AnTuTu v8 MEM
min: 45962     avg: 56767     median: 56767 (46%)     max: 67572 Points
+ 2 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
AnTuTu v8 - AnTuTu v8 GPU
min: 166588     avg: 170290     median: 170290 (31%)     max: 173992 Points
+ 2 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
AnTuTu v8 - AnTuTu v8 CPU
min: 98561     avg: 122385     median: 122385 (44%)     max: 146209 Points
+ 2 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
AnTuTu v8 - AnTuTu v8 Total Score
min: 411764     avg: 421049     median: 421048 (41%)     max: 430333 Points
+ 2 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Antutu v9 - AnTuTu v9 Total Score
549549 Points (37%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Antutu v9 - AnTuTu v9 CPU
129427 Points (35%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
PassMark PerformanceTest Mobile V1 - PerformanceTest Mobile V1 CPU Tests
min: 482773     avg: 486852     median: 486197 (64%)     max: 491585 Points
+ 3 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
- Range of benchmark values for this graphics card
- Average benchmark values for this graphics card
* Smaller numbers mean a higher performance

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#2 did not recreate cache, as it is less than 5 days old! Created at Sun, 26 Nov 2023 08:27:42 +0100 +0.001s ... 0.001s

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Reviews for the Apple A12 Bionic processor

Apple iPad 10.2 (2020) - Rejuvenation of the lower-priced Apple tablet

Apple iPad 10.2 (2020) - Rejuvenation of the lower-priced Apple tablet

The new iPad and the old iPad come with very similar specifications sheets. The 2020 model has a new SoC and a smaller carbon footprint.
Apple A12 Bionic | Apple A12 Bionic GPU | 10.20" | 495 g
Apple iPad Mini 5 2019

Apple iPad mini 5 Tablet Review

The 5th generation iPad mini combines a well-known design with modern hardware. In addition to a Retina display with True Tone technology it also supports the A...
Apple A12 Bionic | Apple A12 Bionic GPU | 7.90" | 300 g
Apple iPad Air (2019) Tablet Review

Apple iPad Air (2019) Tablet Review

This year, Apple has revived a product label that was already thought dead and has fit some new hardware into an old case. The newly created tablet positions it...
Apple A12 Bionic | Apple A12 Bionic GPU | 10.50" | 456 g
Apple iPhone XR Smartphone Review

Apple iPhone XR Smartphone Review

Apple positions the iPhone XR between the two XS models’ size-wise but equips the device with a lower resolution LCD display and only a single rear-facing camer...
Apple A12 Bionic | Apple A12 Bionic GPU | 6.10" | 194 g
Apple iPhone XS Smartphone Review

Apple iPhone XS Smartphone Review

Apple has stuck with its “S” nomenclature even after its anniversary iPhone and has consequently followed the iPhone X with the iPhone XS. As with previous “S” ...
Apple A12 Bionic | Apple A12 Bionic GPU | 5.80" | 177 g

Apple iPhone Xs Max: Apple A12 Bionic GPU, 6.50", 0.2 kg
  Review » Apple iPhone XS Max Smartphone Review

Apple iPad 10.2 2020: Apple A12 Bionic GPU, 10.20", 0.5 kg
  External Review » Apple iPad 10.2 2020

Apple iPad Air 3 2019: Apple A12 Bionic GPU, 10.50", 0.5 kg
  External Review » Apple iPad Air 2019

Apple iPad Mini 5: Apple A12 Bionic GPU, 7.90", 0.3 kg
  External Review » Apple iPad Mini 5

Apple iPhone Xs Max: Apple A12 Bionic GPU, 6.50", 0.2 kg
  External Review » Apple iPhone Xs Max

Apple iPhone XS: Apple A12 Bionic GPU, 5.80", 0.2 kg
  External Review » Apple iPhone XS

Apple iPhone XR: Apple A12 Bionic GPU, 6.10", 0.2 kg
  External Review » Apple iPhone Xr

Apple iPad 10.2 2020: Apple A12 Bionic GPU, 10.20", 0.5 kg
   » Opinion: This is why the Apple iPad 10.2 is a sustainable product

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» Mobile CPU Comparison
Comparison of all mobile CPU series

» Mobile Processors - Benchmarklist
Benchmarklist of all known CPUs that are used in laptops (desktop and laptop CPUs)

Other CPUs of the series Apple A-Series

» Apple A17 Pro
   6x 2.11 GHz - 3.78 GHz
» Apple A16 Bionic
   6x 2.02 GHz - 3.46 GHz
» Apple A15 Bionic
   6x 2.02 GHz - 3.23 GHz
» Apple A12Z Bionic
   8x - 2.49 GHz
» Apple A12X Bionic
   8x - 2.49 GHz
» Apple A14 Bionic
   6x 1.8 GHz - 3.1 GHz
» Apple A13 Bionic
   6x - 2.66 GHz
» Apple A12 Bionic
   6x - 2.49 GHz
» Apple A11 Bionic
   6x - 2.39 GHz
» Apple A10X Fusion
   6x 2.39 GHz
» Apple A10 Fusion
   4x 2.34 GHz

Surrounding CPUs

+ MediaTek Dimensity 8050
   8x 2 GHz - 3 GHz
+ MediaTek Dimensity 1300
   8x 2 GHz - 3 GHz
+ MediaTek Dimensity 8100
   8x 2 GHz - 2.85 GHz
+ MediaTek Dimensity 1200
   8x 2 GHz - 3 GHz
+ MediaTek Kompanio 1300T
   8x 2 GHz - 2.6 GHz
» Apple A12 Bionic
   6x - 2.49 GHz
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1
   8x 1.8 GHz - 2.4 GHz
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 780G 5G
   8x 1.9 GHz - 2.4 GHz
- Google Tensor G2
   8x 1.8 GHz - 2.85 GHz
- MediaTek Dimensity 8200-Ultra
   8x 2 GHz - 3.1 GHz
- Google Tensor
   8x 1.8 GHz - 2.8 GHz