Apple A9X vs Apple A14 Bionic

The Apple A9X was introduced at the end of 2015 and primarily targeted powerful tablets such as the first iPad Pro.

It is manufactured using the 16 nm process and features a dual-core CPU, codenamed A9. With a 3 MB Level 2 Cache and a 4 MB Level 3 Cache, it supports a maximum memory bandwidth of 51 GB/s. The integrated graphics unit of the Apple A9X was powerful for its time, enabling smooth gaming and demanding graphics applications.

Its single-core performance was solid, while multi-core performance was limited by the core count. It was more power-hungry than newer models and used in devices now considered budget-friendly options for basic tasks. The Apple A14 Bionic was introduced at the end of 2020 and found its use in the iPhone 12 series as well as the fourth-generation iPad Air.

It is manufactured using the advanced 5 nm process and integrates a hexa-core CPU with two powerful Firestorm cores and four energy-efficient Icestorm cores, codenamed A14. It offers a significantly larger 12 MB Level 2 Cache and a 16 MB Level 3 Cache. The maximum memory bandwidth is 34 GB/s. The Apple A14 Bionic delivers significantly higher single-core and multi-core performance.

Its superior graphics unit enables smoother gaming in current titles. It is more energy-efficient and offers a better performance-per-watt ratio for modern and demanding applications. The Apple A9X is an option for basic tasks in older devices. The Apple A14 Bionic is the superior choice for demanding applications, modern gaming, and future-oriented use, thanks to significantly higher performance and efficiency.