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A12Z Bionic
General Info
Designer	Apple
Manufacturer	TSMC
Model Number	A12Z Bionic
Part Number	TBD
Market	Mobile
Introduction	March 18, 2020 (announced) March 25, 2020 (launched)
General Specs
Family	Ax
Frequency	TBD MHz (big), TBD MHz (little)
Microarchitecture
ISA	ARMv8.3 (ARM)
Core Name	Vortex, Tempest
Process	7 nm
Transistors	TBD
Technology	CMOS
Die	TBD mm² N/A × N/A
Word Size	64 bit
Cores	8
Threads	8
Multiprocessing
Max SMP	1-Way (Uniprocessor)
Succession
A12X
Contemporary
A13

A12Z Bionic is a 64-bit octa-core ARM mobile system on a chip introduced by Apple in early 2020 as a successor to the A12X.

Overview

Likely fabricated on the TSMC 7 nm process and integrating at least 10 billion transistors, the A12Z features four big Vortex cores along with four little Tempest high-efficiency cores. It is probable that all CPU cores can operate concurrently, as they do on the A12X.

The A12Z features an Apple-designed graphics processor, Apple's neural processor, an improved thermal architecture, and "tuned performance controllers."

ISP

Odds are that the A12Z incorporates an Apple image signal processor with depth engine... something has to be processing its LiDAR data.

Integrated Graphics

The A12Z's Apple-designed graphics processor is an eight-core design, an increase over the A12X's seven-core GPU.

Neural Engine

Continuing the 'Bionic' namesake, the A12Z features a neural engine one may presume is similar to that on the A12X.

Utilizing devices

• iPad Pro 11" (2nd gen)
• iPad Pro 12.9" (4th gen)

Bibliography

• Apple website specs page and press release, March 18, 2020.
• Anandtech article, March 18, 2020.