Google Tensor vs Apple A15 Bionic. Specifications, performance, tests

Comprehensive background on the processors being compared, detailing their series, generation, and targeted market segment.

• Family
  Google Tensor Apple A series
• CPU group
  Google Tensor Apple A15
• Segment
  Mobile Mobile
• Generation
  1 15
• Predecessor
  -- Apple A14 Bionic

Essential parameters including the number of cores, threads, base and turbo frequencies, and cache size. These metrics provide insight into the processor’s speed—higher values generally indicate better performance.

• Core architecture
  hybrid (Prime / big.LITTLE) hybrid (big.LITTLE)
• Frequency
  2.80 GHz 3.23 GHz
• Turbo (1 Core)
  No turbo No turbo
• Hyperthreading
  No No
• Overclocking
  No No

The integrated graphics (iGPU) do not influence the CPU performance significantly; they serve as a substitute for a dedicated graphics card in the absence of one or are utilized in mobile devices.

• GPU name
  ARM Mali-G78 MP20 Apple A15 (5 GPU Cores)
• GPU frequency
  0.76 GHz 1.80 GHz
• GPU (Turbo)
  No turbo 3.20 GHz
• Execution units
  20 5
• Shader
  320 0
• Max. GPU Memory
  -- 8 GB
• Max. displays
  1 3
• Generation
  Vallhall 2 12
• Technology
  5 nm 5 nm
• Release date
  Q4/2021 Q3/2021

This section details the built-in codecs used for encoding and decoding media content, which significantly enhance processing speed and efficiency.

• h265 / HEVC (8 bit)
  Decode / Encode Decode / Encode
• h265 / HEVC (10 bit)
  Decode / Encode Decode / Encode
• h264
  Decode / Encode Decode / Encode
• VP8
  Decode / Encode Decode / Encode
• VP9
  Decode / Encode Decode / Encode
• AV1
  Decode Decode
• AVC
  Decode / Encode Decode
• VC-1
  Decode / Encode Decode
• JPEG
  Decode / Encode Decode / Encode

Overview of the types and quantities of RAM supported by Apple A15 Bionic and Google Tensor. The supported memory frequencies may vary depending on the motherboard configuration.

• Memory type
  LPDDR5-5500 LPDDR4X-4266
• Max. Memory
  12 GB 8 GB
• Memory channels
  2 2
• ECC
  No No

Analyze the TDP (Thermal Design Power) requirements of Google Tensor and Apple A15 Bionic to make an informed decision on the appropriate cooling system. Remember that TDP refers to thermal watts, not electrical watts.

• TDP (PL1)
  10 W 8.5 W

Information on architecture, interfaces, and additional instructions supported by Google Tensor and Apple A15 Bionic, including virtual machine technologies and fabrication processes.

• Instruction set (ISA)
  ARMv8-A64 (64 bit) x86-64 (64 bit)
• L2-Cache
  8.00 MB 4.00 MB
• Architecture
  A15
• Technology
  5 nm 5 nm
• Virtualization
  None None
• Socket
  N/A N/A
• Release date
  Q4/2021 Q3/2021