A12Z chip in 2020 iPad Pro confirmed to be recycled A12X
A closer look into Apple's A12Z system-on-chip processor, introduced with the latest iPad Pro series in March, confirms the silicon is indeed a re-binned A12X from 2018.
Die comparison between A12Z and A12X shows identical GPU layout. | Source: TechInsights
Chip analysis specialist TechInsights in a tweet on Monday detailed new findings that confirms the GPU architecture in Apple's A12Z SoC is identical to that of the A12X used in the third-generation iPad Pro. An enhanced photo of the chip's die was examined to discern potential differences.
"Our analysis confirms #Apple #A12Z GPU chip found inside #iPadPro (model A2068) is the same as A12X predecessor," the firm said.
The discovery means Apple is reusing, or more specifically re-binning, 2018's A12X. Both chips are built on the same 7nm process and boast identical CPU and memory configurations.
As previously reported, the "new" A12Z integrates an 8-core GPU core, while the original A12X had a 7-core GPU. TechInsights in March found the A12X has eight physical cores, suggesting Apple simply activated the latent core as part of a binning process with A12Z.
As noted by AnandTech, the A12X was one of the largest 7nm chips being fabricated by Apple partner TSMC in 2018. More than 18 months after the chip debuted, Apple is likely seeing better yields, which should mean the company no longer needs to bin to lower specifications to save chip output.
Apple's decision to recycle a nearly two-year-old chip is unprecedented. With iPad Pro, the company typically integrates an "X-series" chip that delivers architectural upgrades to the current base A-series SoC introduced with iPhone.
There are a number of reasons Apple skipped an "X" update for 2020. For one, the company potentially felt its A12 series was powerful enough to handle the computational demands of 2020 iPad Pro. The tablet does bring a few hardware upgrades in a dual-camera array and the LiDAR Scanner, but is for the most part an iterative update over the third-generation variant. Re-binning the A12X also grants engineers more time to develop an "A14X" chip capable of chewing through processor-intensive operations associated with future AR tasks and other graphics-heavy applications.
Die comparison between A12Z and A12X shows identical GPU layout. | Source: TechInsights
Chip analysis specialist TechInsights in a tweet on Monday detailed new findings that confirms the GPU architecture in Apple's A12Z SoC is identical to that of the A12X used in the third-generation iPad Pro. An enhanced photo of the chip's die was examined to discern potential differences.
"Our analysis confirms #Apple #A12Z GPU chip found inside #iPadPro (model A2068) is the same as A12X predecessor," the firm said.
The discovery means Apple is reusing, or more specifically re-binning, 2018's A12X. Both chips are built on the same 7nm process and boast identical CPU and memory configurations.
As previously reported, the "new" A12Z integrates an 8-core GPU core, while the original A12X had a 7-core GPU. TechInsights in March found the A12X has eight physical cores, suggesting Apple simply activated the latent core as part of a binning process with A12Z.
As noted by AnandTech, the A12X was one of the largest 7nm chips being fabricated by Apple partner TSMC in 2018. More than 18 months after the chip debuted, Apple is likely seeing better yields, which should mean the company no longer needs to bin to lower specifications to save chip output.
Apple's decision to recycle a nearly two-year-old chip is unprecedented. With iPad Pro, the company typically integrates an "X-series" chip that delivers architectural upgrades to the current base A-series SoC introduced with iPhone.
There are a number of reasons Apple skipped an "X" update for 2020. For one, the company potentially felt its A12 series was powerful enough to handle the computational demands of 2020 iPad Pro. The tablet does bring a few hardware upgrades in a dual-camera array and the LiDAR Scanner, but is for the most part an iterative update over the third-generation variant. Re-binning the A12X also grants engineers more time to develop an "A14X" chip capable of chewing through processor-intensive operations associated with future AR tasks and other graphics-heavy applications.
Comments
A) an iPad Pro Fall 2020 release with A13X
(And mini-LED, as predicted)
or
I’m curious because I have an upgrade due this fall and, well, quarantine— I’m bored.
Higher-end model just have a higher likelihood of battery replacement built-in, lower models keep more capacity for wear leveling.
12Z is a better bin of parts that doesn't need the core turned off to meet the warranty repair risk of the product. The 12X was sold to what it could delivery.
Who's going to be disappointed? I don't think that many 2018 iPad Pro owners would be upgrading to this model, as the 2018 iPad Pros are still very powerful. Hell, my 2017 10.5" is still powerful in my opinion, which is why upgrading isn't even on my mind at this time.
Anybody buying this is still getting the most powerful tablet on the market, afaik. If somebody needs or wants an iPad Pro at this moment, then this is the obvious choice if they want the newest model.
I also think that many people who get hung up on the spec side of things are the very same people who will never utilize their devices to the fullest to begin with. I remember all of the Fandroid fools from some years ago that used to invade this forum and boast about their multicore phones, never mind that they all performed like garbage and were easily beat and outperformed by a dual core iPhone.
The 2020 iPad Pro is the best tablet in the world, even with the A12Z chip.
Except that it’s not. The sixth and seventh gen iPads both have the same A10 chip.
I love Apple products, but I'm sad that only Qualcomm can try (unsuccessfully) to beat Apple SoC's... Apple is so far ahead that can even laugh at us by re-releasing the same chip and still being years ahead of the competition.
iPad Pro 2020 release is closely connected to the new Apple Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro. How would it have been received if Apple released that keyboard and NOT an updated iPad Pro? Not that well, I imagine.
”But they should have delivered a new iPad Pro with the newest A13 chip!” Maybe so, but they chose not to. Did Apple lie about that? No. Is there a real problem here? No.