Apple A5 vs Apple A6

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Apple A5 or Apple A5 – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Apple A5 features 2 processor cores and has the capability to manage 2 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2011 and belongs to the 5 generation of the Apple A series series.
The Apple A6 features 2 processor cores and has the capability to manage 2 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2012 and belongs to the 6 generation of the Apple A series series.
5 Generation 6
Apple A series Family Apple A series
Mobile Segment Mobile
Apple A5 Name Apple A6
Apple A5/A5X Group Apple A6/A6X
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Apple A5 has 2 CPU cores and can calculate 2 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Apple A5 is 1.0 GHz
The Apple A6 has 2 CPU cores and can calculate 2 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Apple A6 is 1.3 GHz
2 Threads 2
2x Cortex-A9 Cores 2x Swift
normal Core architecture normal
1.0 GHz Frequency 1.3 GHz
No Overclocking No
2 CPU Cores 2
No Hyperthreading No
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Apple A5 has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Apple A5 uses the PowerVR SGX543MP2 (2 Cores), which has 32 texture shaders
and 4 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
The Apple A6 has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Apple A6 uses the PowerVR SGX543MP3 (3 Cores), which has 48 texture shaders
and 6 execution units.
4 Execution units 6
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
32 nm Technology 32 nm
-- GPU (Turbo) --
10 Direct X 10
-- Max. displays --
0.2 GHz GPU frequency 0.27 GHz
32 Shaders 48
-- Generation --
Q1/2012 Release date Q3/2012
PowerVR SGX543MP2 (2 Cores) GPU name PowerVR SGX543MP3 (3 Cores)
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI hardware --
-- AI specifications --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
No VC-1 No
No AVC No
No VP8 No
No h265 / HEVC (8 bit) No
No h265 / HEVC (10 bit) No
No JPEG No
No h264 No
No VP9 No
No AV1 No
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 1.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 6.4 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 1.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 8.5 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
pci PCIe pci
1.0 GB Max. Memory 1.0 GB
LPDDR2-800 Memory type LPDDR2-1066
No AES-NI No
No ECC No
6.4 GB/s Bandwidth 8.5 GB/s
2 Memory channels 2
 
 

Thermal Management

TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
-- Tjunction max --
 
 

Technical details

The Apple A5 is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Apple A6 is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
iOS Operating systems iOS
32 nm Technology 32 nm
ARMv7-A32 (32 bit) Instruction set (ISA) ARMv7-A32 (32 bit)
APL 0498 Part Number APL 0598
-- Release price --
Socket
Q1/2011 Release date Q3/2012
ISA extensions
A5 Architecture A6
0 bytes L3-Cache 0 bytes
Chiplet Chip design Chiplet
None Virtualization None
1.0 MB L2-Cache 1.0 MB