Apple A13 Bionic vs Apple A8X

The Apple A13 Bionic was released in 2019 and is aimed at users who require high computing capacity in mobile devices.

Manufactured using the 7 nm process, this processor uses the Lightning and Thunder architecture. It features six cores that enable efficient load distribution. In relevant benchmarks, the Apple A13 Bionic shows single-core and multi-core performance significantly above the level of the Apple A8X.

Thanks to a memory bandwidth of 34 GB/s and an 8 MB L2 cache, data is processed quickly. The integrated Apple A13 graphics unit enables smooth gaming at high detail. Due to the manufacturing process, power consumption is low, which minimizes thermal stress. Since the processor is permanently installed in devices, the price depends on the respective device.

The Apple A8X came onto the market in 2014 and was primarily designed for use in tablets. It is based on the A8 architecture and is manufactured using the 20 nm process. With three CPU cores, it provides a basis for parallel tasks. Compared to the Apple A13 Bionic, however, performance in benchmarks drops significantly.

The lower memory bandwidth of 13 GB/s and the 2 MB L2 cache limit speed in data-intensive applications, although a 4 MB L3 cache is present. In demanding gaming scenarios, the Apple A8X graphics unit often no longer achieves stable frame rates. The manufacturing technology leads to higher heat generation in relation to the computing power.

The processor is present in older models on the secondary market, which leads to low acquisition costs.