Apple A12 Bionic Review: Benchmark Performance and Specs
The Apple A12 Bionic is a mobile processor that was launched in September 2018 and announced by the device maker of several smartphone brands. This chip features Two 2.49GHz Vortex Four 1.6GHz Tempest cores. The SoC is designed in-house by Apple and manufactured by TSMC using a 7 nm process technology. The A12 Bionic integrates the Apple 5 Cores GPU running at 1125 MHz and supports 12GB of LPDDR4X memory. It can be configured with the company’s Apple modem, offering peak download speeds of up to 150 Mbps.
Apple A12 Bionic: Benchmark Performance
In terms of AnTuTu performance, the Apple A12 Bionic scores over 576833 points. In the Geekbench test, it records 1117 points in the single-core test and 2470 points in the multi-core test. It also achieved a combined score of 4061 on Passmark. Additionally, it holds a solid 3DMark score, which is a benchmark designed to measure the graphics performance of smartphones and tablets. The average A12 Bionic score is around 5205. This positions it comparably with other mobile chipsets, such as the Mediatek Dimensity 1050 and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 780G, in the ranking.
| Benchmark | Apple A12 Bionic Score |
|---|---|
| AnTuTu | 576833 |
| Geekbench (Multi Core) | 2470 |
| Geekbench (Single Core) | 1117 |
| 3DMark | 5205 |
| Passmark | 4061 |
Equivalent List for Apple A12 Bionic
The Apple A12 Bionic is equal to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 780G in benchmark scores.
Compared to the Mediatek, it is a similar value to the Dimensity 930 in terms of CPU performance.
| Equivalent Model to Apple A12 Bionic | Antutu Score |
|---|---|
| Huawei HiSilicon Kirin 990 | 584388 |
| Mediatek Dimensity 1050 | 584227 |
| Apple A12 Bionic | 576833 |
| Qualcomm Snapdragon 780G | 567442 |
| Qualcomm Snapdragon 782G | 564255 |
Apple A12 Bionic Gaming Performance
The gaming performance test for Apple A12 Bionic on PUBG Mobile shows a result of 60 FPS. When handling demanding games like COD, the chip operates at frame rates of 60 FPS. Other benchmarks include popular choices among mobile gamers such as Genshin Impact, Mobile Legends, Fortnite, and War Thunder. Its Apple 5 Cores class graphics processor is capable of boosting up to 1125 MHz, ensuring improved peak performance and highly responsive gameplay. This SoC supports a high-powered Apple modem for a fast gaming experience. Speeds of up to up to 150 Mbps allow for seamless streaming from the cloud, while global support enables gamers around the world to engage in battles simultaneously in real time.
| Games | Apple A12 Bionic frame rates | Graphics settings |
|---|---|---|
| PUBG: Mobile | 60 FPS | |
| PUBG: New State | 56 FPS | |
| Call of Duty: Mobile | 60 FPS | |
| Fortnite | 30 FPS | |
| Genshin Impact | 48 FPS | |
| Mobile Legends: Bang Bang | 60 FPS |
Apple A12 Bionic Specification
| Apple A12 Bionic Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Designed by | Apple |
| Model | A12 Bionic |
| Manufacturer | TSMC |
| Launch date | September 2018 |
| Architecture | ARMv8.3-A |
| Bit width | 64-bit support |
| Architecture | Hexa-core: 2x 2.49GHz Vortex + 4x 1.6GHz Tempest |
| Number of Cores / Threads | 6 |
| Clock Speed | up to 2.49 GHz |
| Big | Two 2.49GHz Vortex |
| Mid | Four 1.6GHz Tempest |
| Level 1 Cache | 128 KB |
| Level 2 Cache | 8 MB |
| Transistor Count | 6.9 Million |
| Integrated GPU | Apple 5 Cores |
| GPU Cores | 4 |
| GPU frequency | 1125 MHz |
| Shading units | 64 |
| Total shaders | 256 |
| AI processor (machine learning) | Neural Engine |
| Max display resolution | 2688 x 1242 |
| Max camera resolution | 1x 32MP, 2x 12MP |
| Video capture | 4K at 60FPS |
| Video playback | 4K at 60FPS |
| Video codecs | H.264, H.265, Motion JPEG |
| Audio codecs | AAC, AAC‑LC, Apple Lossless, HE‑AAC, Linear PCM, AAX и AAX+, HE‑AAC v2, MP3 |
| Max Memory | 12GB |
| RAM Type | LPDDR4X |
| Maximum bandwidth | 34.1 Gbps |
| Bus | 4x 16 Bit |
| Storage | NVMe |
| Technology Process | 7 nm |
| Wattage (peak TDP) | 6W |
| Features | Apple modem up to 150 Mbps |
| 4G Modes | LTE Cat. 18 |
| 5G support | No |
| Wi-Fi version | 5 |
| Bluetooth version | 5 |
| Navigation | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo |