Apple A10X Fusion vs Apple A9X

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CPU comparison with benchmarks


Apple A10X Fusion CPU1 vs CPU2 Apple A9X
Apple A10X Fusion Apple A9X

CPU comparison

In this CPU comparison, we compare the Apple A10X Fusion and the Apple A9X and use benchmarks to check which processor is faster.

We compare the Apple A10X Fusion 6 core processor released in Q2/2017 with the Apple A9X which has 2 CPU cores and was introduced in Q3/2015.
Apple A series (22) Family Apple A series (22)
Apple A10/A10X (2) CPU group Apple A9/A9X (2)
10 Generation 9
A10 Architecture A9
Mobile Segment Mobile
Apple A9X Predecessor Apple A8X
Apple A12Z Bionic Successor Apple A10X Fusion

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Apple A10X Fusion is a 6 core processor with a clock frequency of 2.36 GHz. The processor can compute 6 threads at the same time. The Apple A9X clocks with 2.26 GHz, has 2 CPU cores and can calculate 2 threads in parallel.

Apple A10X Fusion Characteristic Apple A9X
6 Cores 2
6 Threads 2
hybrid (big.LITTLE) Core architecture normal
No Hyperthreading No
No Overclocking ? No
2.36 GHz
3x Hurricane
A-Core 2.26 GHz
2x Twister
1.30 GHz
3x Zephyr
B-Core --

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Processors with the support of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors. Algorithms for ML improve their performance the more data they have collected via software. ML tasks can be processed up to 10,000 times faster than with a classic processor.

Apple A10X Fusion Characteristic Apple A9X
-- AI hardware --
-- AI specifications --

Internal Graphics

Graphics (iGPU) integrated into the processor not only enable image output without having to rely on a dedicated graphics solution, but can also efficiently accelerate video playback.

Apple A10X GPU Apple A9X
1.00 GHz GPU frequency 0.65 GHz
-- GPU (Turbo) --
7 GPU Generation 6
10 nm Technology 16 nm
1 Max. displays 1
48 Compute units 48
384 Shader 384
No Hardware Raytracing No
No Frame Generation No
4 GB Max. GPU Memory 4 GB
-- DirectX Version --

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.

Apple A10X GPU Apple A9X
Decode Codec h265 / HEVC (8 bit) No
Decode Codec h265 / HEVC (10 bit) No
Decode / Encode Codec h264 Decode / Encode
Decode Codec VP9 No
Decode Codec VP8 Decode
No Codec AV1 No
Decode Codec AVC Decode
Decode Codec VC-1 Decode
Decode / Encode Codec JPEG Decode / Encode

Memory & PCIe

Up to 3 GB of memory in a maximum of 2 memory channels is supported by the Apple A10X Fusion, while the Apple A9X supports a maximum of 4 GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s enabled.

Apple A10X Fusion Characteristic Apple A9X
LPDDR4-3200 Memory LPDDR4-3200
3 GB Max. Memory 4 GB
2 (Dual Channel) Memory channels 2 (Dual Channel)
51.2 GB/s Max. Bandwidth 51.2 GB/s
No ECC No
8.00 MB L2 Cache 3.00 MB
-- L3 Cache 4.00 MB
-- PCIe version --
-- PCIe lanes --
-- PCIe Bandwidth --

Thermal Management

The Apple A10X Fusion has a TDP of 8 W. The TDP of the Apple A9X is 8 W. System integrators use the TDP of the processor as a guide when dimensioning the cooling solution.

Apple A10X Fusion Characteristic Apple A9X
8 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 8 W
-- TDP (PL2) --
-- TDP up --
-- TDP down --
-- Tjunction max. --

Technical details

The Apple A10X Fusion has 8.00 MB cache and is manufactured in 10 nm. The cache of Apple A9X is at 7.00 MB. The processor is manufactured in 16 nm.

Apple A10X Fusion Characteristic Apple A9X
10 nm Technology 16 nm
Chiplet Chip design Chiplet
Armv8-A (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) Armv8-A (64 bit)
-- ISA extensions --
-- Socket --
None Virtualization None
No AES-NI No
iOS Operating systems iOS
Q2/2017 Release date Q3/2015
-- Release price --
show more data show more data


Rate these processors

Here you can rate the Apple A10X Fusion to help other visitors make their purchasing decisions. The average rating is 3.0 stars (1 ratings). Rate now:
Here you can rate the Apple A9X to help other visitors make their purchasing decisions. The average rating is 0 stars (0 ratings). Rate now:


Average performance in benchmarks

⌀ Single core performance in 2 CPU benchmarks
⌀ Multi core performance in 2 CPU benchmarks

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Geekbench 5 is a cross plattform benchmark that heavily uses the systems memory. A fast memory will push the result a lot. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.
Apple A10X Fusion Apple A10X Fusion
6C 6T @ 2.36 GHz
837 (100%)
Apple A9X Apple A9X
2C 2T @ 2.26 GHz
652 (78%)

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Geekbench 5 is a cross plattform benchmark that heavily uses the systems memory. A fast memory will push the result a lot. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.
Apple A10X Fusion Apple A10X Fusion
6C 6T @ 2.36 GHz
2295 (100%)
Apple A9X Apple A9X
2C 2T @ 2.26 GHz
1198 (52%)

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Geekbench 6 is a benchmark for modern computers, notebooks and smartphones. What is new is an optimized utilization of newer CPU architectures, e.g. based on the big.LITTLE concept and combining CPU cores of different sizes. The single-core benchmark only evaluates the performance of the fastest CPU core, the number of CPU cores in a processor is irrelevant here.
Apple A10X Fusion Apple A10X Fusion
6C 6T @ 2.36 GHz
954 (100%)
Apple A9X Apple A9X
2C 2T @ 2.26 GHz
763 (80%)

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Geekbench 6 is a benchmark for modern computers, notebooks and smartphones. What is new is an optimized utilization of newer CPU architectures, e.g. based on the big.LITTLE concept and combining CPU cores of different sizes. The multi-core benchmark evaluates the performance of all of the processor's CPU cores. Virtual thread improvements such as AMD SMT or Intel's Hyper-Threading have a positive impact on the benchmark result.
Apple A10X Fusion Apple A10X Fusion
6C 6T @ 2.36 GHz
2354 (100%)
Apple A9X Apple A9X
2C 2T @ 2.26 GHz
1251 (53%)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

The theoretical computing performance of the internal graphics unit of the processor with simple accuracy (32 bit) in GFLOPS. GFLOPS indicates how many billion floating point operations the iGPU can perform per second.
Apple A10X Fusion Apple A10X Fusion
Apple A10X @ 1.00 GHz
768 (100%)
Apple A9X Apple A9X
Apple A9X @ 0.65 GHz
499 (65%)

AnTuTu 8 Benchmark

The AnTuTu 8 Benchmark measures the performance of a SoC. AnTuTu benchmarks the CPU, GPU, Memory as well as the UX (User Experience) by simulating browser and app usage. AnTuTu can benchmark any ARM CPU that runs under Android or iOS. Devices may not be directly compareable if the benchmark has been performed under different operating systems.

In the AnTuTu 8 benchmark, the single-core performance of a processor is only slightly weighted. The evaluation consists of the multi-core performance of the processor, the speed of the RAM and the performance of the internal graphics.
Apple A10X Fusion Apple A10X Fusion
6C 6T @ 2.36 GHz
377455 (100%)
Apple A9X Apple A9X
2C 2T @ 2.26 GHz
272103 (72%)

AnTuTu 9 Benchmark

The AnTuTu 9 benchmark is very well suited to measuring the performance of a smartphone. AnTuTu 9 is quite heavy on 3D graphics and can now also use the "Metal" graphics interface. In AnTuTu, memory and UX (user experience) are also tested by simulating browser and app usage. AnTuTu version 9 can compare any ARM CPU running on Android or iOS. Devices may not be directly comparable when benchmarked on different operating systems.

In the AnTuTu 9 benchmark, the single-core performance of a processor is only slightly weighted. The rating is made up of the multi-core performance of the processor, the speed of the working memory, and the performance of the internal graphics.
Apple A10X Fusion Apple A10X Fusion
6C 6T @ 2.36 GHz
473856 (100%)
Apple A9X Apple A9X
2C 2T @ 2.26 GHz
0 (0%)

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Some of the CPUs listed below have been benchmarked by CPU-monkey. However the majority of CPUs have not been tested and the results have been estimated by a CPU-monkey’s secret proprietary formula. As such they do not accurately reflect the actual Passmark CPU mark values and are not endorsed by PassMark Software Pty Ltd.
Apple A10X Fusion Apple A10X Fusion
6C 6T @ 2.36 GHz
0 (0%)
Apple A9X Apple A9X
2C 2T @ 2.26 GHz
2501 (100%)

Devices using this processor

Apple A10X Fusion Apple A9X
Apple iPad Pro (2. Gen)
Apple TV 4K
Apple iPad Pro (1. Gen)

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