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 A5 Name Apple A6
Mobile Segment Mobile
Apple A5/A5X Group Apple A6/A6X
Apple A series Family Apple A series
 
 

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
No Overclocking No
1.0 GHz Frequency 1.3 GHz
normal Core architecture normal
2 Threads 2
2 CPU Cores 2
2x Cortex-A9 Cores 2x Swift
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.
-- GPU (Turbo) --
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- Max. displays --
4 Execution units 6
Q1/2012 Release date Q3/2012
10 Direct X 10
32 nm Technology 32 nm
0.2 GHz GPU frequency 0.27 GHz
32 Shaders 48
PowerVR SGX543MP2 (2 Cores) GPU name PowerVR SGX543MP3 (3 Cores)
-- Generation --
 
 

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 h265 / HEVC (10 bit) No
No h265 / HEVC (8 bit) No
No AVC No
No VP9 No
No JPEG No
No VP8 No
No VC-1 No
No AV1 No
No h264 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.
2 Memory channels 2
6.4 GB/s Bandwidth 8.5 GB/s
1.0 GB Max. Memory 1.0 GB
No ECC No
pci PCIe pci
LPDDR2-800 Memory type LPDDR2-1066
No AES-NI No
 
 

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
None Virtualization None
Socket
iOS Operating systems iOS
Chiplet Chip design Chiplet
ISA extensions
Q1/2011 Release date Q3/2012
-- Release price --
ARMv7-A32 (32 bit) Instruction set (ISA) ARMv7-A32 (32 bit)
32 nm Technology 32 nm
A5 Architecture A6
APL 0498 Part Number APL 0598
0 bytes L3-Cache 0 bytes
1.0 MB L2-Cache 1.0 MB