Apple A12 Bionic vs Apple A9

The Apple A12 Bionic, introduced in 2018, was designed for high-performance mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

It is based on an advanced 7 nm manufacturing process and utilizes the Apple A12 architecture. The processor offers significantly higher computing performance in both single-core and multi-core applications. Its improved GPU and more powerful CPU architecture enable much better performance in demanding games and graphics-intensive applications.

Thanks to the finer manufacturing process, the Apple A12 Bionic is characterized by improved energy efficiency, leading to longer battery life and less heat generation. The maximum memory bandwidth is 34 GB/s, and it features 8 MB of Level 2 cache. The Apple A9 was introduced in 2015 and was a centerpiece of high-end smartphones at the time.

It is manufactured using a 16 nm manufacturing process and employs the Apple A9 architecture. Compared to the Apple A12 Bionic, the Apple A9 offers lower computing performance in all core scenarios. Its performance is sufficient for basic tasks and older, less demanding games, but it quickly reaches its limits with modern applications.

The older manufacturing process results in lower energy efficiency compared to its successor. Its maximum memory bandwidth is 26 GB/s, complemented by 3 MB of Level 2 cache and 4 MB of Level 3 cache. The Apple A9 is primarily found in very old devices.