Benchmarks Suggest New iPad Pro's A12Z Chip is Nearly Identical to A12X in 2018 iPad Pro

[MacRumors]

One of the new 2020 iPad Pro models equipped with an A12Z chip arrived early to a Reddit user, who did some benchmarking tests to see how it performs.

In a Geekbench 5 test, the 11-inch 2020 iPad Pro earned a single-core score of 1114 and a multi-core score of 4654, which is close to the Geekbench scores of the 11-inch iPad Pro from 2018.

The 11-inch iPad Pro has an aggregate single-core Geekbench 5 score of 1113 and a multi-core score of 4608. Like the A12X, the A12Z is an 8-core chip running at 2.48GHz.

The new 2020 iPad Pro pulled ahead a little in Metal scores, earning a 9894 Metal score, up from the 9020 score in the 11-inch iPad Pro from 2018. That's no surprise, though, because the A12Z features an 8-core GPU instead of the 7-core GPU that was in the A12X.

Antutu tests were also conducted, showing lower scores than prior models in the memory category, though the test may not be optimized for the new models and the iOS 13.4 update. CPU was 187648, GPU was 348519, and Memory was 71476 vs. CPU 184553, GPU 357335, and Memory 90598 for the 11-inch 2018 model.

More testing will need to be done to confirm whether there are notable differences in CPU speed between the 2018 and 2020 iPad Pro models, but for now, it looks like any gains are modest.

The new iPad Pro models ship with iOS 13.4, which is set to be released by Apple tomorrow, so new iPad Pro owners will not need to upgrade. Most people who ordered a new iPad Pro on the day they were introduced will receive their shipments on Wednesday, March 25.

Article Link: Benchmarks Suggest New iPad Pro's A12Z Chip is Nearly Identical to A12X in 2018 iPad Pro

 

[magicschoolbus]

That’s awesome that the 2018 is still such a beast, but I think having 6gb ram and 128 base storage makes the 2020 iPad a good grab.

 

[Tmelon]

Things like this really make me think that this is another iPad 3/4 situation where we‘ll be seeing another model within the next 6 months as was rumored. Also curious to see if anything has been done about the bending Issue.

 

[UltimaKilo]

It’s very possible the gains could be modest and the focus is on efficiency. Maybe increased battery life was the goal here?

 

[badatusernames]

This feels like the iPad 3 all over again. Not that I’m complaining, makes the previous model a better deal.

 

[Roscorito]

This combined with the fact that we’re getting a mini LED option at the end of the year makes this a no-go for me. It’ll also gives developers time to develop some interesting apps for the lidar.

 

[roncron]

The performance is nearly identical. The names of the chips are nearly identical. A tip off, maybe.

 

[farewelwilliams]

Also curious to see if anything has been done about the bending Issue.

no such issue. just another overblown youtube topic.

 

[mistasopz]

2 year old chip performance. Meanwhile forum members berate Intel for modest gains.

 

[kiensoy]

Evolution

 

[xfusejc]

just lends credence to the rumors of the true update coming later this year with the mini-led in my mind.

 

[Cosmosent]

The chip's "Performance Controller" (i.e., CPU scheduler) will need to be Perf Tested / Evaluated.

As a reminder, the A10 (in the 7/7+) had a simplified design, which worked extremely well (i.e., Extreme High Perf).

Apple incorporated fancier & fancier designs in the A11 & A12, which UN-fortunately, they did NOT fully test BEFORE committing to Silicon !

The A13's Perf Controller is almost as good as the A10's !

The Perf Controller in the A12Z would obviously be their latest design, & may be just as Good as the A10's !

Note that this is NOT something the Avg iPhone OR iPad User would ever discover, OR know about.

ONLY those who use Extreme Perf CPU-oriented apps, of which there are very few.

Those who remember Phil's statements about the Perf Controller a few A-series chips back, should have more insight than others into this part of the chip.

But ALSO, ask yourself, why does Apple NEVER mention it anymore ???

You now know the reason !!!

 

[ersan191]

Pretty sure A12X chips have 8 GPUs with one turned off. Bet we could unlock A12X into an A12Z on a lot of them with software if we knew how.

 

[JojoTom]

When there is no Competition, you have no need to make progress...

 

[arvinsim]

Really want to upgrade from my 2017 iPad Pro...but probably better to wait for the newer model later this year.

 

[BB1970]

Biding their time until the micro led version comes out
If the 2018 has a great discount anywhere, might be worth picking up

 

[anshuvorty]

If there are just modest gains to be had with this new "Z" chip, then why not just refer to it as the A12X and not even mention the update to the CPU?

It seems that this new naming scheme is all marketing and no performance benefits to backup the Z nomenclature.

 

[EugW]

Hmm... I posted a thread with some of the Geekbench scores last week.

Geekbench 5: iPad8,12 (iPad Pro 2020) 6 GB RAM - CPU 1117 / 4724, GPU 10313

https://browser.geekbench.com/v5/cpu/1502247 https://browser.geekbench.com/v5/compute/633924

forums.macrumors.com

If there are just modest gains to be had with this new "Z" chip, then why not just refer to it as the A12X and not even mention the update to the CPU?

It seems that this new naming scheme is all marketing and no performance benefits to backup the Z nomenclature.

The GPU Compute score has increased about 10%, because A12Z has one more active GPU core than A12X.

 

[cmaier]

If there are just modest gains to be had with this new "Z" chip, then why not just refer to it as the A12X and not even mention the update to the CPU?

It seems that this new naming scheme is all marketing and no performance benefits to backup the Z nomenclature.

There are GPU differences, just not CPU differences. hence the new name.

 

[BarredOwl]

Really want to upgrade from my 2017 iPad Pro...but probably better to wait for the newer model later this year.

Same here. If it weren’t for the magic keyboard it would definitely be a pass. We’ll see come about May.

 

[Mr. Dee]

This is an incremental upgrade, just the SoC name alone suggest it, A12Z. I would definitely wait this one out and see what happens at the end of the year. I just suspect that there will be a A13X model with some more refined features, but more expensive.

 

[EugW]

This is an incremental upgrade, just the SoC name alone suggest it, A12Z. I would definitely wait this one out and see what happens at the end of the year. I just suspect that there will be a A13X model with some more refined features, but more expensive.

All the rumours now point to A14X. No A13X.

The most credible rumour is A14X with 5G cellular, and no other changes. However, some other rumours suggest also that it will get mini-LED.

I'm thinking if it gets A14X with 5G, there may be no price increase, or else a small price increase. However, if it gets mini-LED, there will be a bigger price increase. I'm predicting A14X and 5G will land in 2020 without mini-LED though, with mini-LED not coming until 2021.

Same here. If it weren’t for the magic keyboard it would definitely be a pass. We’ll see come about May.

If I were getting a WiFi-only model, and I wasn't stuck at home anti-socially distancing, I'd get the March 2020 model now or in May. However, since I'm considering getting the cellular model, I may wait.

 

[Mr. Dee]

All the rumours point to A14X. No A13X.

Apple doesn't like any of its other devices outshining the iPhone. A14X will likely be for fall 2021, while A13Z will be next years March incremental revision. I think the update was just to support the new camera improvements.

 

[cmaier]

Seems wise to wait for a model with 5G, miniLED, and a next generation processor, probably later this year, if you can wait.

The current model will probably be the software development platform for ARM MacBooks, though.

 

[rp2011]

This one is not aimed at anyone who has the 2018 model. Just as the Apple Watch series 5 was also not meant for those who owned the Series 4.
It’s for first time owners with a slight spec bump.