Google Tensor vs Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Google Tensor or Google Tensor – 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 Google Tensor features 8 processor cores and has the capability to manage 8 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2021 and belongs to the 1 generation of the Google Tensor series.
The Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) features 6 processor cores and has the capability to manage 6 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2021 and belongs to the 15 generation of the Apple A series series.
Google Tensor Group Apple A15
1 Generation 15
Google Tensor Name Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
Mobile Segment Mobile
Google Tensor Family Apple A series
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Google Tensor has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the A-Core is 1.8 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 6 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the A-Core is 3.23 GHz.
Processors with hybrid (big.LITTLE) architecture strike a balance between performance and power efficiency, making them ideal for mobile devices.
None None 2.02 GHz
2.8 GHz A-Core Frequency Turbo None
hybrid (Prime / big.LITTLE) Core architecture hybrid (big.LITTLE)
2x Cortex-X1 Cores A 2x Avalanche
8 CPU Cores 6
4x Cortex-A55 Cores C None
No Overclocking No
No Hyperthreading No
1.8 GHz A-Core Frequency 3.23 GHz
2x Cortex-A76 Cores B 4x Blizzard
8 Threads 6
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Google Tensor has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Google Tensor uses the ARM Mali-G78 MP20, which has 320 texture shaders
and 20 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
The Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) uses the Apple A15 (4 GPU Cores), which has 1024 texture shaders
and 128 execution units.
-- GPU (Turbo) --
5 nm Technology 5 nm
12 Direct X --
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 8.0 GB
20 Execution units 128
Q4/2021 Release date Q3/2021
ARM Mali-G78 MP20 GPU name Apple A15 (4 GPU Cores)
320 Shaders 1024
0.76 GHz GPU frequency 0.6 GHz
Vallhall 2 Generation 12
-- Max. displays --
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Google Edge TPU @ 1.6 TOPS AI specifications 16 Neural cores @ 15.8 TOPS
Google Tensor AI AI hardware Apple Neural Engine
 
 

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.
Decode / Encode h265 / HEVC (8 bit) Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode VP9 Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode VP8 Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode VC-1 Decode
Decode / Encode JPEG Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode h264 Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode h265 / HEVC (10 bit) Decode / Encode
Decode / Encode AVC Decode
Decode AV1 No
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 12.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 53.0 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 6.0 GB distributed across 1 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
LPDDR5-5500 Memory type LPDDR4X-4266
53.0 GB/s Bandwidth 34.1 GB/s
No AES-NI No
No ECC No
pci PCIe pci
12.0 GB Max. Memory 6.0 GB
2 Memory channels 1
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 10 W watts.
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.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 8.5 W watts.
10 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 8.5 W
-- Tjunction max --
 
 

Technical details

The Google Tensor is manufactured using a 5 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 A15 Bionic (4-GPU) is manufactured using a 5 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 32.0 MB cache.
None Virtualization None
5 nm Technology 5 nm
ARMv8-A64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) ARMv8-A64 (64 bit)
ISA extensions
-- Part Number --
-- Chip design Chiplet
Q4/2021 Release date Q3/2021
-- Release price --
8.0 MB L2-Cache 16.0 MB
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
0 bytes L3-Cache 32.0 MB
Socket
Android Operating systems iOS
G1 Architecture A15
 
 

Google Tensor and Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) in leaderboards