Apple A12X Bionic Apple A16 Bionic
VS

Apple A12X Bionic vs Apple A16 Bionic

Last updated:
The Apple A12X Bionic, introduced in late 2018, was primarily designed for high-performance iPad Pro models.

It is based on an A12 architecture and manufactured using a 7nm process. Its core configuration offers robust performance for demanding applications and multitasking. With a maximum memory bandwidth of 68 GB/s and an 8 MB Level-2 cache, it provides a solid foundation. In performance tests, the Apple A12X Bionic shows respectable values, which are sufficient for everyday tasks and many professional applications.

The integrated graphics unit of the Apple A12X delivers good performance for games and graphically intensive tasks, though not on the level of the latest generations. It can be found today in previous-generation devices, offering good value for money there. The Apple A16 Bionic, introduced in late 2022, targets Apple's flagship iPhones and later base models.

It uses an A16 architecture and is manufactured using an advanced 4nm process, enabling higher transistor density and improved energy efficiency. With significantly superior single-core and multi-core performance compared to the Apple A12X Bionic, it is designed for the highest demands. It features 20 MB of Level-2 cache and 24 MB of Level-3 cache, contributing to its superior speed.

The integrated Apple A16 graphics unit with 5 GPU cores offers significantly improved graphics performance, reflected in smoother frame rates and better visual quality in modern games and graphics-intensive applications. Its advanced architecture allows for high performance while optimizing power consumption.

In gaming scenarios, the Apple A16 Bionic offers significantly better performance thanks to its newer architecture, more advanced manufacturing process, and more powerful integrated graphics unit. It enables higher frame rates and a more convincing display in graphically demanding titles.

The 4nm manufacturing process of the Apple A16 Bionic leads to better energy efficiency compared to the 7nm process of the Apple A12X Bionic. This means that the Apple A16 Bionic can achieve higher performance with similar or even lower power consumption, which positively impacts battery life and allows for less heat generation.

The Apple A12X Bionic is found in older devices and offers an attractive price-performance ratio for users seeking solid performance for less money. The Apple A16 Bionic is part of the latest Apple devices and represents peak performance, which is reflected in the higher price of the corresponding devices.

In summary, the Apple A12X Bionic is a solid choice for everyday tasks and older applications, especially when budget is a factor and still respectable performance is sufficient. The Apple A16 Bionic is clearly the better choice for maximum performance, demanding gaming, video editing, and future applications where raw processing power and efficiency are crucial.

Apple A12X Bionic

  • 7nm manufacturing process
  • Robust performance for everyday tasks
  • Good value for money in older devices
  • Max. memory bandwidth 68 GB/s

Apple A16 Bionic

  • 4nm manufacturing process
  • Significantly higher computing and graphics performance
  • Improved energy efficiency
  • More extensive Level-2 and Level-3 cache

Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks

Single-core performance
Rank 2 - 56 %
Apple A12X Bionic
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple A16 Bionic
Multi-core performance
Rank 2 - 81 %
Apple A12X Bionic
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple A16 Bionic
Geekbench 6 Single-Core

Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple A12X Bionic
8C / 8T · 2.49 GHz
1,341
Apple A16 Bionic
6C / 6T · 3.46 GHz
2,531
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core

Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple A12X Bionic
8C / 8T · 2.49 GHz
4,745
Apple A16 Bionic
6C / 6T · 3.46 GHz
6,299
Geekbench 5, 64bit Single-Core

Geekbench 5, 64bit Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple A12X Bionic
8C / 8T · 2.49 GHz
1,124
Apple A16 Bionic
6C / 6T · 3.46 GHz
1,890
Geekbench 5, 64bit Multi-Core

Geekbench 5, 64bit Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple A12X Bionic
8C / 8T · 2.49 GHz
4,718
Apple A16 Bionic
6C / 6T · 3.46 GHz
5,465
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

Apple A12X Bionic
Apple A12X
1,008
Apple A16 Bionic
Apple A16 (5 GPU Cores)
1,789
AI performance (NPU)

AI performance (NPU)

Apple A12X Bionic
8C / 8T · 2.49 GHz
5.0 TOPS
Apple A16 Bionic
6C / 6T · 3.46 GHz
17.0 TOPS

More benchmarks

At a glance

Wischen
Apple A12X BionicApple A16 Bionic
FamilyApple A series (27)Apple A series (27)
CPU groupApple A12/A12X/A12Z (3)Apple A16 (2)
ArchitectureA12A16
Technology7 nm4 nm
SegmentSmartphone / TabletSmartphone / Tablet
Socket
PredecessorApple A10X FusionApple A15 Bionic (5-GPU)
SuccessorApple A17 Pro

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

Wischen
Apple A12X BionicApple A16 Bionic
CPU Cores / Threads8 / 86 / 6
Hyperthreading / SMT
Core architecturehybrid (big.LITTLE)hybrid (big.LITTLE)
Core Cluster 1: 4x Vortex
2.49 GHz
2x Everest
3.46 GHz
Core Cluster 2: 4x Tempest
1.59 GHz
4x Sawtooth
2.02 GHz
L2-Cache8.00 MB20.00 MB
L3-Cache24.00 MB
Overclocking

Integrated graphics (iGPU)

Wischen
Apple A12X BionicApple A16 Bionic
GPU nameApple A12XApple A16 (5 GPU Cores)
GPU frequency1.13 GHz0.40 - 1.34 GHz
CUs / Shader28 / 44820 / 640
Raytracing
Max. displays13
Max. GPU Memory6 GB6 GB
Technology7 nm4 nm
Release dateQ3/2018Q3/2022

NPU AI performance

Wischen
Apple A12X BionicApple A16 Bionic
AI hardwareApple Neural EngineApple Neural Engine
AI specifications8 Neural cores @ 5 TOPS16 Neural cores @ 17 TOPS
NPU + CPU + iGPU

Memory & PCIe

Wischen
Apple A12X BionicApple A16 Bionic
MemoryLPDDR4X-4266 (68.2 GB/s)
LPDDR5-6400 (51.2 GB/s)
Max. Memory6 GB6 GB
Memory channels21
ECCNoNo
PCIe
PCIe Bandwidth

Thermal Management

Wischen
Apple A12X BionicApple A16 Bionic
TDP15 W10 W
TDP (PL2)
TDP up
TDP down
T. junction max.

Technical details

Wischen
Apple A12X BionicApple A16 Bionic
Chip designChipletChiplet
AES-NI
Operating systemsiOSiOS
Instruction setArmv8-A (64 bit)Armv8.6-A (64 bit)
ISA extensions
Release dateQ3/2018Q3/2022
Release price
Documents

Your rating

Here you can rate one or both of the processors. The average rating of Apple A12X Bionic is 4.2 stars (81 ratings), while Apple A16 Bionic has received 4.1 stars (254 ratings).

Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.

Apple A12X Bionic
Apple A12X Bionic
8C / 8T · 2.49 GHz
Apple A16 Bionic
Apple A16 Bionic
6C / 6T · 3.46 GHz

Most popular CPUs in both categories

Apple A12X Bionic
Apple A12X Bionic
Buy now on Amazon and save! Buy on Amazon