Apple A13 Bionic vs Apple A8X

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CPU comparison with benchmarks


Apple A13 Bionic CPU1 vs CPU2 Apple A8X
Apple A13 Bionic Apple A8X

CPU comparison

In this CPU comparison, we compare the Apple A13 Bionic and the Apple A8X and use benchmarks to check which processor is faster.

We compare the Apple A13 Bionic 6 core processor released in Q3/2019 with the Apple A8X which has 3 CPU cores and was introduced in Q3/2014.
Apple A series (24) Family Apple A series (24)
Apple A13 (1) CPU group Apple A8/A8X (2)
13 Generation 8
A13 (Lightning / Thunder) Architecture A8
Smartphone / Tablet Segment Smartphone / Tablet
Apple A12 Bionic Predecessor Apple A6X
Apple A14 Bionic Successor Apple A9X

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Apple A13 Bionic is a 6 core processor with a clock frequency of 2.65 GHz. The processor can compute 6 threads at the same time. The Apple A8X clocks with 1.50 GHz, has 3 CPU cores and can calculate 3 threads in parallel.

Apple A13 Bionic Characteristic Apple A8X
6 Cores 3
6 Threads 3
hybrid (big.LITTLE) Core architecture normal
No Hyperthreading No
No Overclocking ? No
2.65 GHz
2x Lightning
A-Core 1.50 GHz
3x Typhoon
1.80 GHz
4x Thunder
B-Core --

NPU AI performance

The performance values of the processor's AI unit. The isolated NPU performance is specified here, the total AI performance (NPU+CPU+iGPU) can be higher. Processors with support for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors.

Apple A13 Bionic Characteristic Apple A8X
Apple Neural Engine AI hardware --
8 Neural cores @ 6 TOPS AI specifications --
-- NPU + CPU + iGPU --

Integrated graphics (iGPU)

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 A13 GPU Apple A8X
1.35 GHz GPU frequency 0.45 GHz
-- GPU (Turbo) --
10 GPU Generation 5
7 nm Technology 20 nm
1 Max. displays 1
16 Compute units 32
256 Shader 256
No Hardware Raytracing No
No Frame Generation No
4 GB Max. GPU Memory 2 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 A13 GPU Apple A8X
Decode / Encode Codec h265 / HEVC (8 bit) No
Decode / Encode Codec h265 / HEVC (10 bit) No
Decode / Encode Codec h264 Decode
Decode / Encode Codec VP9 No
Decode / Encode Codec VP8 No
No Codec AV1 No
Decode Codec AVC Decode
Decode Codec VC-1 Decode
Decode / Encode Codec JPEG Decode / Encode

Memory & PCIe

Up to 4 GB of memory in a maximum of 1 memory channels is supported by the Apple A13 Bionic, while the Apple A8X supports a maximum of 2 GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of 12.8 GB/s enabled.

Apple A13 Bionic Characteristic Apple A8X
LPDDR4X-4266 Memory LPDDR3-1600
4 GB Max. Memory 2 GB
1 (Single Channel) Memory channels 1 (Single Channel)
34.1 GB/s Max. Bandwidth 12.8 GB/s
No ECC No
8.00 MB L2 Cache 2.00 MB
-- L3 Cache 4.00 MB
-- PCIe version --
-- PCIe lanes --
-- PCIe Bandwidth --

Thermal Management

The Apple A13 Bionic has a TDP of 6 W. The TDP of the Apple A8X is 8 W. System integrators use the TDP of the processor as a guide when dimensioning the cooling solution.

Apple A13 Bionic Characteristic Apple A8X
6 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 8 W
-- TDP (PL2) --
-- TDP up --
-- TDP down --
-- Tjunction max. --

Technical details

The Apple A13 Bionic has 8.00 MB cache and is manufactured in 7 nm. The cache of Apple A8X is at 6.00 MB. The processor is manufactured in 20 nm.

Apple A13 Bionic Characteristic Apple A8X
7 nm Technology 20 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
Q3/2019 Release date Q3/2014
-- Release price --
show more data show more data


Rate these processors

Here you can rate the Apple A13 Bionic to help other visitors make their purchasing decisions. The average rating is 3.9 stars (97 ratings). Rate now:
Here you can rate the Apple A8X to help other visitors make their purchasing decisions. The average rating is 3.7 stars (9 ratings). Rate now:

Average performance in benchmarks

Single core performance in 2 CPU benchmarks
Apple A13 Bionic (100%)
Apple A8X (27%)
Multi core performance in 3 CPU benchmarks
Apple A13 Bionic (100%)
Apple A8X (34%)

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Geekbench 6 is a partial load benchmark for modern computers, notebooks and smartphones. In the single-core test, only the fastest CPU core is measured. The test run simulates the performance in practice.
Apple A13 Bionic Apple A13 Bionic
6C 6T @ 2.65 GHz
1710 (100%)
Apple A8X Apple A8X
3C 3T @ 1.50 GHz
427 (25%)

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

The practical Geekbench 6 multi-core benchmark tests the system's performance under partial load. The processor's maximum power consumption is far from being used up.
Apple A13 Bionic Apple A13 Bionic
6C 6T @ 2.65 GHz
3599 (100%)
Apple A8X Apple A8X
3C 3T @ 1.50 GHz
959 (27%)

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 A13 Bionic Apple A13 Bionic
6C 6T @ 2.65 GHz
1336 (100%)
Apple A8X Apple A8X
3C 3T @ 1.50 GHz
386 (29%)

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 A13 Bionic Apple A13 Bionic
6C 6T @ 2.65 GHz
3429 (100%)
Apple A8X Apple A8X
3C 3T @ 1.50 GHz
1075 (31%)

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 A13 Bionic Apple A13 Bionic
Apple A13 @ 1.35 GHz
691 (100%)
Apple A8X Apple A8X
Apple A8X @ 0.45 GHz
230 (33%)

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 A13 Bionic Apple A13 Bionic
6C 6T @ 2.65 GHz
5368 (100%)
Apple A8X Apple A8X
3C 3T @ 1.50 GHz
2356 (44%)

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 A13 Bionic Apple A13 Bionic
6C 6T @ 2.65 GHz
648406 (100%)
Apple A8X Apple A8X
3C 3T @ 1.50 GHz
0 (0%)

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 A13 Bionic Apple A13 Bionic
6C 6T @ 2.65 GHz
523650 (100%)
Apple A8X Apple A8X
3C 3T @ 1.50 GHz
0 (0%)

AI performance (NPU)

The performance values of the processor's AI unit. The isolated NPU performance is given here, the total AI performance (NPU+CPU+iGPU) can be higher.

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. The performance is given in the number (trillions) of arithmetic operations per second (TOPS).
Apple A13 Bionic Apple A13 Bionic
6C 6T @ 2.65 GHz
6 (100%)
Apple A8X Apple A8X
3C 3T @ 1.50 GHz
0 (0%)

Devices using this processor

Apple A13 Bionic Apple A8X
Apple iPhone 11
Apple iPhone 11 Pro
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone SE
Apple iPad Air 2

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