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A12X Bionic
General Info
Designer	Apple
Manufacturer	TSMC
Model Number	A12X Bionic
Part Number	N/A
Market	Mobile
Introduction	October 30, 2018 (announced) November 7, 2018 (launched)
General Specs
Family	Ax
Frequency	N/A
Microarchitecture
ISA	ARMv8.3 (ARM)
Microarchitecture	Vortex, Tempest
Core Name	Vortex, Tempest
Process	7 nm
Transistors	> 10,000,000,000
Technology	CMOS
Die	122 mm² (estimate) N/A × N/A
Word Size	64 bit
Cores	8
Threads	8
Multiprocessing
Max SMP	1-Way (Uniprocessor)
Succession
A10X

A12X Bionic is a 64-bit octa-core ARM mobile system on a chip introduced by Apple in late 2018 as a successor to the A10X.

Overview

Fabricated on TSMC 7 nm process and integrating over 10 billion transistors, the A12X features four big Vortex cores along with four little Tempest high-efficiency cores. Apple claims that single-core performance is 35% faster than the A10X, while the increased core count grows multi-core performance by up to 90%. All eight cores can operate concurrently.

The A12X features an Apple-designed graphics processor that is said to deliver twice the performance of the A10X, and Apple's neural processor makes its first appearance in an A_X-series chip.

ISP

The A12 incorporates Apple's image signal processor (ISP), codename Petra. The ISP is said to deliver a faster depth engine and improved video processor.

Integrated Graphics

The A12 incorporates an Apple-designed graphics processor which features tessellation, multi-layer rendering, and lossless memory compression. The GPU is a seven-core design and is said to deliver twice the performance of the A10X. Apple characterizes this as "XBox One S-class graphics performance".

Neural Engine

The A12X chip features a neural engine codenamed Quin. The engine is capable of processing 5 trillion 8-bit operations per second, identical to the A12. Apple states this is an 8-core design, an increase from the A11's dual-core NPU.

Utilizing devices

• iPad Pro 11"
• iPad Pro 12.9" (3rd gen)

Bibliography

• Apple Keynote. (October 30, 2018). Apple Special Event.