A9X in 9.7-Inch iPad Pro is Underclocked Compared to 12.9-inch iPad Pro

[MacRumors]

The new 9.7-inch iPad Pro adopts the same powerful dual-core 64-bit A9X chip that was first introduced in the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, but the two tablets are not on par when it comes to performance. Based on information on Apple's website, it appears the A9X in the 9.7-inch iPad Pro is slightly underclocked compared to the A9X in the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (via AppleInsider).

On its iPad comparison page, Apple lists the specs of the A9X in both of the iPad Pros, comparing them to the A7 chip in the iPad Air, iPad mini 2/3, and iPhone 5s. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro lists a 2.5x faster CPU and 5x faster graphics, while the 9.7-inch iPad Pro lists a 2.4x faster CPU and 4.3x faster graphics.

Apple has a history of underclocking the chips used in smaller devices. The iPad mini 2 and the iPad Air both used the same A7 chip, but while the iPad Air clocked in at 1.4GHz, the iPad mini 2 ran at 1.3GHz.

It's likely Apple is underclocking the A9X chip in the 9.7-inch iPad Pro due to its smaller body, which may be unable to dissipate heat as well as the larger 12.9-inch iPad Pro, The performance difference between the two tablets is likely to be unnoticeable in real world conditions, and even underclocked, the 9.7-inch iPad Pro is offering some significant performance improvements over the 9.7-inch iPad Air 2.

Aside from the slightly lower clock speed, the 9.7-inch iPad Pro has several features that set it above the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, including a 12-megapixel camera with a rear flash and a new True Tone display feature that adjusts the screen's temperature based on ambient lighting.

The 9.7-inch iPad Pro will be available for order starting this Thursday, with in-store availability and shipments starting the following Thursday, on March 31. Pricing for the new iPad Pro starts at $599.

Update: Geekbench benchmark testing conducted by TechCrunch's Matthew Panzarino suggests the A9X processor in the 9.7-inch iPad Pro runs at 2.16GHz, compared to 2.24GHz in the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

Here's a single Geekbench run with stats on iPad Pro 9.7" pic.twitter.com/vwqlKtsIUm - Matthew Panzarino (@panzer) March 22, 2016

The new iPad Pro received a single-core score of 3022 and a multi-core score of 5107. In comparison, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro sees average scores of 3224 on the single-core test and 5466 on the multi-core test. The 9.7-inch iPad Pro may not be quite as powerful as the 12.9-inch model, but it did significantly outperform the iPhone 6s and the iPad Air 2 on the Geekbench test.

Article Link: A9X in 9.7-Inch iPad Pro is Underclocked Compared to 12.9-inch iPad Pro

 

[MyMacintosh]

no me gusta

 

[darcyf]

Score one for the early Pro adopters.

 

[Jakeoster]

Will we see the performance of the A9x in the A10 included in the iPhone 7?

 

[akuma13]

That's a shame. The difference is probably negligible but I'm glad I got my 12.9 Pro day one. Love it!

 

[DFZD]

How could they..

*Throws away iPhone and runs into his room*

 

[oneofakind]

Why am I not surprised anymore?! It doesn't even have USB 3 output speed like the other iPad Pro. Another Score! This past event was solely for greed. I'm sorry to say that but Steve would have shrugged to the 30 million customers that are too cheap or can't afford the products.

 

[Norbs12]

Angry people that don't understand the intricate balance of size vs cooling vs weight vs clock speed vs battery life.

 

[DTphonehome]

Not surprising at all. As you said, it's probably a thermal issue. Doubt the tiny difference in speed would dissuade anyone from getting one if they were so inclined.

 

[Oblivious.Robot]

Score one for the early Pro adopters.

Aside from the slightly lower clock speed(unnoticeable in real world conditions), the 9.7-inch iPad Pro has several features that set it above the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, including a 12-megapixel camera with a rear flash and a new True Tone display feature that adjusts the screen's temperature based on ambient lighting.

Score tied then?

 

[Quicklite]

What I really want to know: if the 9.7 iPad Pro can stay flatly on surfaces - thanks to the protruding camera.
#Bumpgate

 

[keysofanxiety]

Not too fussed about the slight underclocking as Apple often do that. But if you're going to give two iPads the 'Pro' mantle, at least make all the specs the same — camera, USB, LCD ...

Apple laugh about software fragmentation, but this confusing anti-consumer hardware fragmentation can be just as bad.

 

[sza]

How about the memory size? 2GB?

 

[IJ Reilly]

Warning: If you are getting worked up about this, you are probably a geek.

 

[Pakaku]

Angry people that don't understand the intricate balance of size vs cooling vs weight vs clock speed vs battery life.

- Processor speeds that are artificially under/over-clocked don't affect weight or size.
- Battery life can easily be extended if Jony stopped desperately obsessing over thin cases.
- You were never going to adequetly cool anything in a case with no air flow.

And I'm not even an engineer.

 

[munpip214]

People often forget than screen resolution is a major factor on performance. 12.9" has 80% more pixels. If Apple is comparing performance based on raw performance, then it is possible that the 9.7" may be even faster still, Apple was just lowering performance to save battery.

 

[Gizmotoy]

Not surprising at all. As you said, it's probably a thermal issue. Doubt the tiny difference in speed would dissuade anyone from getting one if they were so inclined.

Binning is another possibility. The yield of the A9X in the 12.9" model is very unlikely to be 100%, where those parts that fail might work perfectly well at a slightly lower clock rate. Those parts could then be used underclocked in a smaller device. This would allow Apple to utilize parts that would otherwise go in the trash, and also reduce heat production in a smaller device.

Most microprocessor manufacturers use some form of binning to increase yields.

 

[smalltimewine]

Why is this a problem? The 9.7 has a lot fewer pixels to push – 44% less.

 

[Quicklite]

Anyone reckon it's not 4GB?

 

[Crosscreek]

Is the phone under clocked too?

 

[iapplelove]

I love how the 12.9" owners justify their purchase lol

 

[indask8]

Anyone reckon it's not 4GB?

Ram goes in pair usually, and the GPU takes a large amount of shared memory so I don't think they'll cheap out and put only 3GB

I ended up buying the 12.9 Pro, because a website is doing a clearance on it, it's only 70€ more than the 9.7 Pro in my country, I don't mind the better camera and the better color display.

 

[keysofanxiety]

What I really want to know: if the 9.7 iPad Pro can stay flatly on surfaces - thanks to the protruding camera.
#Bumpgate

iPad Pro 7: "It's simply the best camera we've ever shipped in a portable product"

 

[Nintendolinky]

2GB Ram also, its been confirmed, glad I've got my 12" model.

 

[6836838]

Aside from the slightly lower clock speed(unnoticeable in real world conditions), the 9.7-inch iPad Pro has several features that set it above the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, including a 12-megapixel camera with a rear flash and a new True Tone display feature that adjusts the screen's temperature based on ambient lighting.

Score tied then?

I'm sorry it's moot. iPad photography should be banned in all countries. Along with 'selfie' sticks.