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Apple A9

Apple A9

The Apple A9 is a high-end dual-core ARM SoC for smartphones. It was announced in Sept. 2015 in the new iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. Technical details were not published, but the CPU part should be about 70% and the GPU 90% faster than the previous Apple A8. Therefore, the performance should be on par with high-end Android SoCs in 2015.

It is based on the third generation of Apples 64 Bit architectures (Cyclone 3?) and uses a "new transistor technology". It is manufactured at Samsung in 14nm (slightly smaller die) and TSMC at 16nm (both FINFET 3D transistors). A performance difference of both versions are not noticable.

Furthermore, the chip now integrates the M9 motion coprocessor and a 4K video de- and encoder (as the iPhones 6s supports 4K video recording). The integrated graphics card should be still based on PowerVR technology.

The power consumption could be lower than the A8 due to the new process technology and the fact that the iPhones now got a smaller battery (due to the haptic engine part).

CodenameCyclone 3
Clock Rate1800 MHz
Number of Cores / Threads2 / 2
Manufacturing Technology14/16 nm
FeaturesARMv8 Instruction Set
GPUApple A9 / PowerVR GT7600
64 Bit64 Bit support
ArchitectureARM
Announcement Date09/09/2015

Benchmarks

3DMark - 3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited Physics
min: 12854     avg: 13248     median: 13210.5 (11%)     max: 13717 Points
+ 4 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
3DMark - 3DMark Sling Shot Extreme (ES 3.1) Unlimited Physics
1094 Points (10%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
3DMark - 3DMark Sling Shot (ES 3.0) Unlimited Physics
1093 Points (12%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Geekbench 6.5 - Geekbench 6.5 Single-Core
645 points (15%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Geekbench 6.5 - Geekbench 6.5 Multi-Core
1010 points (3%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   - Hide comparison chart
Restrict / Search: Model: Max. age: years
Geekbench 5.5 - Geekbench 5.1 - 5.5 64 Bit Single-Core
531 points (18%)
+ 2 benchmarks and specifications   - Hide comparison chart
Restrict / Search: Model: Max. age: years
Geekbench 5.5 - Geekbench 5.1 - 5.5 64 Bit Multi-Core
970 points (2%)
+ 2 benchmarks and specifications   - Hide comparison chart
Restrict / Search: Model: Max. age: years
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Single-Core
2556 points (26%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Geekbench 4.4 - Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 64 Bit Multi-Core
4459 points (4%)
+ 1 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Single-Core
min: 2503     avg: 2527     median: 2526.5 (28%)     max: 2550 points
+ 2 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Geekbench 4.0 - Geekbench 4.0 64 Bit Multi-Core
min: 4286     avg: 4359     median: 4359 (6%)     max: 4432 points
+ 2 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 64 Bit Multi-Core
min: 4386     avg: 4412     median: 4422 (7%)     max: 4429 points
+ 3 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Geekbench 3 - Geekbench 3 64 Bit Single-Core
min: 2533     avg: 2537     median: 2538 (38%)     max: 2539 points
+ 3 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Linpack Android / IOS - Linpack Multi Thread
min: 1225     avg: 1260     median: 1260 (43%)     max: 1295 MFLOPS
+ 2 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Linpack Android / IOS - Linpack Single Thread
min: 669     avg: 677     median: 677 (66%)     max: 685 MFLOPS
+ 2 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Kraken 1.1 Total Score *
min: 1458     avg: 1656     median: 1712 (2%)     max: 1743 ms
+ 4 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Sunspider - Sunspider 1.0 Total Score *
223 ms (2%)
+ 2 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
Octane V2 - Octane V2 Total Score
min: 15967     avg: 16716     median: 16375 (11%)     max: 18148 Points
+ 4 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
AnTuTu v5 - AnTuTu v5 Total Score
min: 58869     avg: 58977     median: 58976.5 (59%)     max: 59084 Points
+ 2 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
AnTuTu v6 - AnTuTu v6 Total Score
min: 126969     avg: 129767     median: 128706 (44%)     max: 133626 Points
+ 3 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
PassMark PerformanceTest Mobile V1 - PerformanceTest Mobile V1 CPU Tests
min: 46285     avg: 48479     median: 48849 (6%)     max: 49934 Points
+ 4 benchmarks and specifications   + Show comparison chart
- Range of benchmark values
red legend - Average benchmark values
* Smaller numbers mean a higher performance

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Add one or more devices and compare

In the following list you can select (and also search for) devices that should be added to the comparison. You can select more than one device.

search for model:
v1.35
log 13. 09:58:13

#0 ran 0s before starting gpusingle class +0s ... 0s

#1 no ids found in url (should be separated by "_") +0s ... 0s

#2 not redirecting to Ajax server +0s ... 0s

#3 did not recreate cache, as it is less than 5 days old! Created at Fri, 13 Mar 2026 05:29:10 +0100 +0.003s ... 0.003s

#4 composed specs +0.005s ... 0.008s

#5 did output specs +0s ... 0.008s

#6 getting avg benchmarks for device 7085 +0.007s ... 0.014s

#7 got single benchmarks 7085 +0.009s ... 0.024s

#8 got avg benchmarks for devices +0s ... 0.024s

#9 min, max, avg, median took s +0.727s ... 0.75s

#10 return log +0.368s ... 1.118s

Reviews for the Apple A9 processor

Apple iPad (2017) Tablet Review

Apple iPad (2017) Tablet Review

Just recycling? Apple did not even hold a keynote for its latest tablet model. All we got was a press release. We think: That is enough for the Apple iPad (2017), because it is a very good tablet – and finally for a fair price.
Apple A9, A9 / PowerVR GT7600, 9.7", 478 g
Apple iPhone SE Smartphone Review

Apple iPhone SE Smartphone Review

Power dwarf. The less expensive versions of the iPhone have not been a real success so far. This could change with the iPhone SE, because it is very fast, enduring and fills a niche with its 4-inch screen.
Apple A9, A9 / PowerVR GT7600, 4", 113 g
Apple iPhone 6S Plus Smartphone Review

Apple iPhone 6S Plus Smartphone Review

Bigger and better. Sounds disrespectful, but it is just a pun. The latest Apple iPhone 6S Plus is all about the touch as part of the new handling concept called 3D Touch. The latest S model is obviously faster, and you also get better cameras as well as faster communication modules. You also get more weight compared to the predecessor. The new iPhone is still a great smartphone.
Apple A9, A9 / PowerVR GT7600, 5.5", 192 g
Apple iPhone 6S Smartphone Review

Apple iPhone 6S Smartphone Review

The 3D Midas touch. No disrespect intended for the Apple iPhone 6S, but rather to point out the new control concept 3D Touch, which is one of the most important new features of the current smartphones from Cupertino. Just like every other generation, the 6S models are once again faster, but the design did not change. One thing that was increased is the weight.
Apple A9, A9 / PowerVR GT7600, 4.7", 143 g
Apple iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus First Impressions

Apple iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus First Impressions

Touch me harder! This is what the new iPhones are about – the touch. At least in terms of the handling with 3D Touch. The new Apple smartphones are obviously faster, heavier, and thicker. On the other hand, the battery is smaller and the cameras are supposed to be much better. First, a quick check.
Apple A9, A9 / PowerVR GT7600, 4.7", 143 g

Apple iPad (2017): Apple A9 / PowerVR GT7600, 9.70", 0.5 kg
  External Review » Apple iPad (2017)

Apple iPhone SE: Apple A9 / PowerVR GT7600, 4.00", 0.1 kg
  External Review » Apple iPhone SE

Apple iPhone 6S Plus: Apple A9 / PowerVR GT7600, 5.50", 0.2 kg
  External Review » Apple iPhone 6S Plus

Apple iPhone 6S: Apple A9 / PowerVR GT7600, 4.70", 0.1 kg
  External Review » Apple iPhone 6S

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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

» Samsung Exynos 2400
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» Samsung Exynos 2400e
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» MediaTek Dimensity 8500
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» MediaTek Dimensity 8400
   8x 2.1 GHz - 3.25 GHz
» unknown
   
» MediaTek Dimensity 9000+
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» Google Tensor G5
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» HiSilicon Kirin T92
   12x 1.6 GHz - 2.5 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 8300-Ultra
   8x 2.2 GHz - 3.35 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin 9030 Pro
   9x 1.72 GHz - 2.75 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin 9020
   8x 1.6 GHz - 2.5 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin 9010
   12x 1.55 GHz - 2.3 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 8200-Ultra
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» MediaTek Dimensity 8100
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» MediaTek Dimensity 8200
   8x 2 GHz - 3.1 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 8350
   8x 2.2 GHz - 3.35 GHz
» Google Tensor G4
   8x 1.95 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 8300
   8x 2.2 GHz - 3.35 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin 9000W
   12x 1.53 GHz - 2.49 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin 9000E
   8x 2.05 GHz - 3.13 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin 9000
   8x 2.05 GHz - 3.13 GHz
» Samsung Exynos 1580
   8x 1.95 GHz - 2.9 GHz
» Google Tensor G3
   9x 1.7 GHz - 2.91 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin T82
   12x 1.31 GHz - 2.29 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin 8020
   12x 1.31 GHz - 2.28 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin T92C
   9x 1.6 GHz - 2.3 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 8020
   8x 2 GHz - 2.6 GHz
» Google Tensor G2
   8x 1.8 GHz - 2.85 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin 990 5G
   8x - 2.86 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin 990
   8x - 2.86 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 1200
   8x 2 GHz - 3 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 7400X
   8x 2 GHz - 2.6 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 7400-Ultra
   8x 2 GHz - 2.6 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro 5G
   8x 2 GHz - 2.8 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 7200
   8x 2 GHz - 2.8 GHz
» Google Tensor
   8x 1.8 GHz - 2.8 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 1000+
   8x 2 GHz - 2.6 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 8050
   8x 2 GHz - 3 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 7300
   8x 2 GHz - 2.5 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 7300X
   8x 2 GHz - 2.5 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 1300
   8x 2 GHz - 3 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 820
   8x 2 GHz - 2.6 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin 980
   8x - 2.6 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 1100
   8x 2 GHz - 2.6 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin 820
   8x 1.84 GHz - 2.36 GHz
» UNISOC T9300
   8x 2 GHz - 2.4 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 900
   8x 2 GHz - 2.4 GHz
» Unisoc T9100 (T820)
   8x 2.1 GHz - 2.7 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 7030
   8x 2 GHz - 2.5 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 7025
   8x 2 GHz - 2.5 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 7050
   8x 2 GHz - 2.6 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 7060
   8x 2 GHz - 2.6 GHz
» Unisoc T8100 (T760)
   8x 2 GHz - 2 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 800
   8x 2 GHz
» UNISOC T7300
   8x 2 GHz - 2.2 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 1080
   8x 2 GHz - 2.6 GHz
» UNISOC Tangula T770
   8x 2 GHz - 2.5 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 920
   8x 2 GHz - 2.5 GHz
» UNISOC T8300
   8x 2 GHz - 2.2 GHz
» MediaTek MT8188J
   8x 2 GHz - 2.2 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 930
   8x 2 GHz - 2.2 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin 810
   8x 1.88 GHz - 2.27 GHz
» UNISOC T8200 (T765)
   8x 2.1 GHz - 2.3 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin 820e
   8x 1.84 GHz - 2.22 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 810
   8x 2 GHz - 2.4 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 800U
   8x 2 GHz - 2.4 GHz
» UNISOC Tangula T740
   8x 1.8 GHz - 1.8 GHz
» Broadcom BCM2712
   4x 2.4 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 700
   8x 2 GHz - 2.2 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin 970
   8x 2.4 GHz
» Allwinner A733
   9x
» HiSilicon Kirin 960
   8x 2.4 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 720
   8x 2 GHz
» UNISOC T619
   8x 1.8 GHz - 2.2 GHz
» UNISOC T7280 (T620)
   8x 1.8 GHz - 2.2 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin 960s
   8x 2.1 GHz
» MediaTek Dimensity 7020
   8x 2 GHz - 2.5 GHz
» UNISOC T750
   8x 1.8 GHz - 2 GHz
» Unisoc T7255 (T616)
   8x 1.8 GHz - 2 GHz
» Unisoc T7225 (T612)
   8x 1.8 GHz - 2 GHz
» UNISOC T618
   8x 2 GHz - 2 GHz
» Unisoc T7250 (T615)
   8x 1.8 GHz - 2 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin 710
   8x 2.2 GHz
» UNISOC Tangula T700
   8x 1.8 GHz - 1.8 GHz
» Apple A9X
   2x 2.26 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin 950
   8x 2.3 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin 955
   8x 2.5 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin 710A
   8x 2 GHz
» Unisoc T7200 (T606)
   8x 1.6 GHz
» UNISOC T610
   8x 1.8 GHz - 2 GHz
» Samsung Exynos 850
   8x - 2 GHz
» Apple A9
   2x 1.8 GHz
» Apple A8X
   3x 1.5 GHz
» Zhaoxin KaiXian KX-6000G
   4x 2 GHz - 3.3 GHz
» UNISOC Tiger T310
   4x 1.8 GHz - 2 GHz
» JLQ JR510
   8x 1.5 GHz - 2 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin 935
   8x 2.2 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin 655
   8x 2.1 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin 650
   8x 2 GHz
» Apple A8
   2x 1.4 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin 925
   8x 1.8 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin 920
   8x 1.7 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin 659
   8x 2.36 GHz
» Apple A7
   2x 1.3 GHz
» Apple S10 SiP
   2x
» Rockchip RK3288
   4x 1.8 GHz
» Samsung Exynos W1000
   5x 1.5 GHz
» Qualcomm Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1
   4x 1.7 GHz
» Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1
   4x 1.7 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin 658
   8x 2.35 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin 910T
   4x 1.8 GHz
» UNISOC SC9863A
   8x 1.2 GHz - 1.6 GHz
» MediaTek MT8163 V/A 1.5 GHz
   4x 1.5 GHz
» MediaTek MT8163 V/B 1.3 GHz
   4x 1.3 GHz
» Marvell Armada PXA1908
   4x 1.2 GHz
» Apple S9 SiP
   2x 1.8 GHz
» Apple S5
   2x
» HiSilicon Kirin 620
   8x 1.2 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin 930
   8x 2 GHz
» Allwinner A523
   8x 0.48 GHz - 2 GHz
» HiSilicon Kirin 910
   4x 1.6 GHz
» Rockchip RK3188
   4x 1.8 GHz
» Rockchip RK3566
   4x - 2 GHz
» VIA Nano QuadCore L4700
   4x 1.2 GHz - 1.46 GHz
» Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100+
   5x - 1.7 GHz
» Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100
   4x - 1.7 GHz
» Allwinner B810
   4x 0.4 GHz - 1.5 GHz
» HiSilicon k3v2 Hi3620
   4x 1.2 GHz
» Apple S8
   2x 1.8 GHz
» Marvell PXA1088
   4x 1.2 GHz
» Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100
   4x - 1.2 GHz
» Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2500
   4x - 1.2 GHz
» Apple S7
   2x 1.8 GHz
» Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100
   4x - 1.2 GHz
» Apple S6
   2x 1.8 GHz
» NXP i.MX 8M Mini
   5x - 1.8 GHz
» Texas Instruments OMAP 4460
   2x 1.2 GHz
» Samsung Exynos W930
   2x 1.4 GHz
» MediaTek MT8161
   4x 1.3 GHz
» Broadcom BCM21664T
   2x 1.2 GHz
» Renesas MP5232
   2x 1.5 GHz
» Marvell PXA986
   2x 1.2 GHz
» Apple A5x
   2x 1 GHz
» MediaTek MTK 8113T
   2x 2 GHz
» AMD GX-210JA
   2x 1 GHz
» Samsung Exynos W920
   2x 1.18 GHz
» Actions ACT-ATM7029
   4x 1 GHz
» Intel Celeron 220
   1x 1.2 GHz
» Intel Celeron 2.8 GHz
   1x 2.8 GHz
» Apple A5
   2x 1 GHz
» MediaTek MTK 8113L
   1x 1 GHz
» Rockchip RK3066 1.5 GHz
   2x 1.5 GHz
» Apple A4
   1x 1 GHz
» Texas Instruments OMAP 4470
   2x 1.5 GHz
» Loongson 2F 900MHz
   1x 0.9 GHz
» Texas Instruments OMAP 3630 1GHz
   1x 1 GHz
» Texas Instruments OMAP 3622
   1x 1 GHz
» Broadcom BCM28155
   2x 1.2 GHz
» Rockchip RK3168
   2x 1.2 GHz
» Texas Instruments OMAP 4430
   2x 1 GHz
» ST-Ericsson NovaThor U8500
   2x 1 GHz
» ST-Ericsson NovaThor U8420
   2x 1 GHz
» UNISOC T107
   1x 1 GHz
» Samsung Exynos 9110
   2x 1.15 GHz
» Huawei Kirin A1
   1x 0.2 GHz
» Amlogic AML8726-MX
   2x 1.5 GHz
» NXP i.MX 6SLL
   1x 1 GHz
» CSR8670
   2x 0.08 GHz
» Cypress PSoC6 MCU
   2x 0.15 GHz
» Ambiq Apollo 3.5
   1x
» Ambiq Apollo 3
   1x 0.1 GHz
» DK3.5+ST
   2x
» Rockchip RK2918 1.2 GHz
   1x 1.2 GHz
» AllWinner A10
   1x 1.2 GHz
» ARM Cortex A8 1.2 GHz
   1x 1.2 GHz
» AllWinner A13
   1x 1 GHz
» WonderMedia PRIZM WM8950
   1x 1 GHz
» Rockchip RK2918
   1x 1 GHz
» Telechips TCC8803 1GHz
   1x 1 GHz
» ZiiLABS ZMS-08
   1x 1 GHz
» ARM Cortex A8 1GHz
   1x 1 GHz
» ARM Cortex-M4
   
» Dialog DA14697
   0.1 GHz
» HiSilicon Hi6262
   
» ST STM32L4R9
   1x 0.08 GHz
» ST32
   
» NXP MK26FN2M0CAC18R
   1x 0.18 GHz

Surrounding CPUs

+ Mediatek Helio X25 MTK6797T
   10x 2.5 GHz
+ Qualcomm Snapdragon 625
   8x 2 GHz
+ Qualcomm Snapdragon 626
   8x 2.2 GHz
+ Mediatek Helio X20 MT6797
   10x 2.3 GHz
+ Samsung Exynos 7885
   8x 2.2 GHz
» Apple A9
   2x 1.8 GHz
- Apple A8X
   3x 1.5 GHz
- Mediatek Helio P60T
   8x 2 GHz
- Nvidia Tegra X1
   8x 2 GHz
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 630
   8x 2.2 GHz
Klaus Hinum (Update: 2026-01- 8)