Apple A12Z Bionic Apple A16 Bionic
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Apple A12Z Bionic vs Apple A16 Bionic

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Description The Apple A12Z Bionic, introduced in the iPad Pro in 2020, was manufactured using the 7nm process.

It targeted professional tablet users and features an 8-core CPU (4 performance, 4 efficiency cores) and an 8-core GPU. It integrates 8 MB of L2 cache and 68 GB/s maximum memory bandwidth. The Apple A16 Bionic, released in 2022 with the iPhone 14 Pro, is manufactured using the more efficient 4nm process.

Designed for high-end smartphones, its 6-core CPU (2 performance, 4 efficiency cores) and 5-core GPU offer 20 MB of L2 and 24 MB of L3 cache, with 51 GB/s memory bandwidth. Performance Comparison The Apple A16 Bionic significantly outperforms the A12Z Bionic in single- and multi-core performance.

The newer architecture enables noticeably faster processing in applications and games. Power Consumption and TDP Due to its 4nm process, the Apple A16 Bionic is more energy-efficient than the A12Z Bionic (7nm). This extends battery life and improves the thermal behavior of the devices.

Price-Performance Ratio Both CPUs are tightly integrated into Apple devices. The A16 Bionic offers higher performance per price in new devices. The A12Z Bionic is a capable, more affordable option in older devices. Summary and Recommendation The Apple A12Z Bionic is a solid processor for professional tablet applications in older devices.

The Apple A16 Bionic delivers superior overall performance, higher efficiency, and is more future-proof. It is the better choice for the most demanding mobile applications.

Apple A12Z Bionic

  • 7nm manufacturing process
  • 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU
  • 68 GB/s maximum memory bandwidth
  • Suitable for professional tablet applications

Apple A16 Bionic

  • 4nm manufacturing process
  • Significantly higher processing power
  • Superior GPU architecture
  • High energy efficiency

Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks

Single-core performance
Rank 2 - 56 %
Apple A12Z Bionic
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple A16 Bionic
Multi-core performance
Rank 2 - 81 %
Apple A12Z Bionic
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple A16 Bionic
Geekbench 6 Single-Core

Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple A12Z Bionic
8C / 8T · 2.49 GHz
1,351
Apple A16 Bionic
6C / 6T · 3.46 GHz
2,531
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core

Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple A12Z Bionic
8C / 8T · 2.49 GHz
4,798
Apple A16 Bionic
6C / 6T · 3.46 GHz
6,299
Geekbench 5, 64bit Single-Core

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

Apple A12Z 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 A12Z 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 A12Z Bionic
Apple A12Z
1,152
Apple A16 Bionic
Apple A16 (5 GPU Cores)
1,789
AnTuTu 9 Benchmark

AnTuTu 9 Benchmark
Multi-core performance

Apple A12Z Bionic
8C / 8T · 2.49 GHz
779,044 pts
Apple A16 Bionic
6C / 6T · 3.46 GHz
947,502 pts
AI performance (NPU)

AI performance (NPU)

Apple A12Z 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 A12Z 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 A12Z 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 A12Z BionicApple A16 Bionic
GPU nameApple A12ZApple A16 (5 GPU Cores)
GPU frequency1.13 GHz0.40 - 1.34 GHz
CUs / Shader32 / 51220 / 640
Raytracing
Max. displays13
Max. GPU Memory6 GB6 GB
Technology7 nm4 nm
Release dateQ1/2020Q3/2022

NPU AI performance

Wischen
Apple A12Z 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 A12Z 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 A12Z BionicApple A16 Bionic
TDP15 W10 W
TDP (PL2)
TDP up
TDP down
T. junction max.

Technical details

Wischen
Apple A12Z BionicApple A16 Bionic
Chip designChipletChiplet
AES-NI
Operating systemsiOSiOS
Instruction setArmv8-A (64 bit)Armv8.6-A (64 bit)
ISA extensions
Release dateQ1/2020Q3/2022
Release price
Documents

Your rating

Here you can rate one or both of the processors. The average rating of Apple A12Z Bionic is 4.2 stars (85 ratings), while Apple A16 Bionic has received 4.1 stars (254 ratings).

Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.

Apple A12Z Bionic
Apple A12Z Bionic
8C / 8T · 2.49 GHz
Apple A16 Bionic
Apple A16 Bionic
6C / 6T · 3.46 GHz

Most popular CPUs in both categories

Apple A12Z Bionic
Apple A12Z Bionic
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