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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	2,500 MHz (big), 1,590 MHz (little)
Microarchitecture
ISA	ARMv8.3 (ARM)
Core Name	Vortex, Tempest
Process	7 nm
Transistors	10,000,000,000+
Technology	CMOS
Die	122 mm²+ N/A × N/A
Word Size	64 bit
Cores	8
Threads	8
Multiprocessing
Max SMP	1-Way (Uniprocessor)
Succession
A12X
Contemporary
A13 M1

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

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. Like the A12X all CPU cores can operate concurrently.

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

ISP

The A12Z incorporates an Apple image signal processor with depth engine.

Integrated Graphics

The A12Z's Apple-designed graphics processor is an eight-core design, a 14% increase over the A12X's seven-core GPU.

Neural Engine

Continuing the 'Bionic' namesake, the A12Z features a neural engine similar if not identical to that on the A12X.

Utilizing devices

• iPad Pro 11" (2nd gen)
• iPad Pro 12.9" (4th gen)
• Mac mini Developer Transition Kit

Bibliography

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