Apple A5

Last updated

Apple A5
Apple A5 Chip.jpg
Apple A5 (S5L8940 version) chip
General information
LaunchedMarch 11, 2011
DiscontinuedOctober 4, 2016
Designed by Apple Inc.
Common manufacturer(s)
Product codeS5L8940X (A5)
S5L8942X (A5R2)
S5L8947X (A5R3)
Performance
Max. CPU clock rate 800 MHz to 1 GHz
Cache
L1 cache 32 KB instruction + 32 KB data [1]
L2 cache1 MB [1]
Architecture and classification
ApplicationMobile
Technology node 45 nm to 32 nm
Microarchitecture ARM Cortex-A9
Instruction set ARM, Thumb-2
Physical specifications
Cores
  • 1 (third-generation Rev A Apple TV)
    2 (iPad 2, iPhone 4S, third-generation Apple TV [one core is disabled], fifth-generation iPod Touch, first-generation iPad Mini)
GPU(s) PowerVR SGX543MP2 (dual-core) [2]
Products, models, variants
Variant(s)
History
Predecessor(s) Apple A4
Successor(s) Apple A6

The Apple A5 is a 32-bit system on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc. and manufactured by Samsung. [3] [4] The first product Apple featured an A5 in was the iPad 2. Apple claimed during their media event on March 2, 2011, that the ARM Cortex-A9 central processing unit (CPU) in the A5 is up to two times faster than the CPU in the Apple A4, and the PowerVR SGX543MP2 graphics processing unit (GPU) in the A5 is up to nine times faster than the GPU in the A4. [5] Apple also claimed that the A5 uses the same amount of power as the A4.

Contents

The last operating system update Apple provided for a mobile device containing an A5 (iPad 2 CDMA, iPhone 4S, and first-generation iPad Mini cellular models) was iOS 9.3.6, which was released on July 22, 2019, as they were discontinued with the release of iOS 10 in 2016. The latest operating system update Apple has provided for an Apple TV containing an A5 (third-generation Apple TV and third-generation Rev A Apple TV) was Apple TV Software 7.9, which was released on March 14, 2022. [6]

Design

The A5 chip features a dual-core 45 nm Cortex-A9 CPU (shrunk to 32 nm in later versions of the chip) including the Advanced SIMD (Neon) extension, [7] and a dual-core 32 nm PowerVR SGX543MP2 GPU.

The A5 integrates an image signal processor unit (ISP) that can perform advanced image post-processing, such as face detection, white balance, and automatic image stabilization. [8] The A5 also directly integrates Audience earSmart technology for removing surrounding background noise and secondary voices during phone calls. [9]

The clock rate of the Cortex-A9 in the A5 used inside the iPad 2 and first-generation iPad Mini is 1 GHz. Both of these devices, unlike devices containing the A4 with a clock rate of 800 MHz, can automatically underclock their A5 chip to save battery life. [10] [7] The clock rate of the Cortex-A9 in the A5 used inside the iPhone 4S and fifth-generation iPod Touch is 800 MHz (underclocked from 1 GHz). It is unknown what the clock rate of the Cortex-A9 in the A5 used inside the third-generation Apple TV and third-generation Rev A Apple TV is.

When the A5 was first released, the production cost of the chip was estimated to be 75% more than the A4, with the difference expected to diminish when production would later increase. [11] As of August 2012, the A5 was manufactured at Samsung's Austin, Texas factory. [12] Samsung invested $3.6 billion in the Austin facility to produce various chips, and nearly all of the facility's output was dedicated to producing Apple chips. [13] Samsung later invested a further $4.2 billion in the Austin facility in order to transition to a 28 nm fabrication process by the second half of 2013. [12]

Apple A5 versions

Three versions of the A5 chip exist: S5L8940 (containing a 45 nm CPU), S5L8942 (containing a 32 nm CPU), and S5L8947 (containing a single-core 32 nm CPU). [14] Apple also designed a separate high-performance variant of the A5 called the Apple A5X, which features a wider memory subsystem and two additional GPU cores. The A5X was used only in the third-generation iPad.

Apple A5 (S5L8940)

The S5L8940 version of the A5 was used in the iPad 2 and the iPhone 4S. [15] The CPU was manufactured on a 45 nm fabrication process. The die of this version takes up 122.2 mm2 of area. [16] It uses the PoP method of installation to support RAM. The top package contains two 256 MB LPDDR2 [17] chips, providing a total of 512 MB [16] of RAM.

Apple A5R2 (S5L8942)

The S5L8942 version of the A5 was used in the third-generation Apple TV (one CPU core is disabled), [18] the iPad 2 (iPad2,4 revision), the fifth-generation iPod Touch, and the first-generation iPad Mini. The CPU was manufactured on a 32 nm fabrication process. The die of this version takes up 69.6 mm2 of area [18] —nearly 41% smaller than the die of the S5L8940 version. Like the S5L8940 version, it uses the PoP method of installation to support RAM. The top package contains two 256 MB LPDDR2 chips, providing a total of 512 MB of RAM. [19]

Apple A5R3 (S5L8947)

The S5L8947 version of the A5 was used only in the third-generation Rev A Apple TV. Unlike the previous two A5 versions, this version contains only one CPU core. [20] Also unlike the previous two A5 versions, this version does not use the PoP method of installation to support RAM—RAM is found externally from the A5 chip. [21] The die of this version takes up 37.8mm2 of area, [21] using a new design made specifically for the third-generation Rev A Apple TV. [22] [23]

Products featuring the Apple A5

These images are illustrations and approximate to scale.

Apple A5 Chip.jpg
The A5 (S5L8940) first started shipping in products March 2011
Apple-A5-APL2498.jpg
The A5R2 (S5L8942) first started shipping in products March 2012
Apple-A5-APL7498.jpg
The A5R3 (S5L8947) first started shipping in products January 2013
Sizes: A5 (10.1 mm x 12.2 mm), [16] A5R2 (8.1 mm x 8.6 mm), [18] A5R3 (6.1 mm x 6.3 mm) [21]
Apple A5 SoC (APL0498) on iPhone 4s main logic board. A5 APL0498 iPhone4s mlb 820-3031-B.jpg
Apple A5 SoC (APL0498) on iPhone 4s main logic board.

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">ARM Cortex-A9</span> 32-bit multicore processor developed by SR1

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple A4</span> System on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc.

The Apple A4 is a 32-bit package on package (PoP) system on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc. and manufactured by Samsung. It was the first SoC Apple designed in-house. The first product to feature the A4 was the first-generation iPad, followed by the iPhone 4, fourth-generation iPod Touch, and second-generation Apple TV.

iPad 2 Tablet computer made by Apple (2011–2014)

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple silicon</span> System-on-chip processors designed by Apple Inc.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple A5X</span> System on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc.

The Apple A5X is a 32-bit system on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc. and manufactured by Samsung. Apple used it only in the third-generation iPad. The A5X is a high-performance variant of the Apple A5. Apple claimed during their media event on March 7, 2012 that the quad-core PowerVR SGX543MP4 graphics processing unit (GPU) in the A5X is two times faster than the GPU in the A5, as the A5X GPU contains two more cores than the dual-core version GPU in the A5.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple A6</span> System on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc.

The Apple A6 is a 32-bit package on package (PoP) system on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc. that was introduced on September 12, 2012 at the launch of the iPhone 5. Apple states that it is up to twice as fast and has up to twice the graphics power compared with its predecessor, the Apple A5. Software updates for devices using this chip ceased in 2019, with the release of iOS 10.3.4 on the iPhone 5 as it was discontinued with the release of iOS 11 in 2017.

The Apple A7 is a 64-bit system on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc. It first appeared in the iPhone 5S, which was announced on September 10, 2013, and the iPad Air and iPad Mini 2, which were both announced on October 22, 2013. Apple states that it is up to twice as fast and has up to twice the graphics power compared to its predecessor, the Apple A6. It is the first 64-bit SoC to ship in a consumer smartphone or tablet computer. On March 21, 2017, the iPad mini 2 was discontinued, ending production of A7 chips. The latest software update for systems using this chip was iOS 12.5.7, released on January 23, 2023, as they were discontinued with the release of iOS 13 and iPadOS 13 in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple A6X</span> System on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple A8X</span> System on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple A9</span> System on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple A9X</span> System on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple A10</span> System on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc.

The Apple A10 Fusion is a 64-bit ARM-based system on a chip (SoC), designed by Apple Inc. and manufactured by TSMC. It first appeared in the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus which were introduced on September 7, 2016, and is used in the sixth generation iPad, seventh generation iPad, and seventh generation iPod Touch. The A10 is the first Apple-designed quad-core SoC, with two high-performance cores and two energy-efficient cores. Apple states that it has 40% greater CPU performance and 50% greater graphics performance compared to its predecessor, the Apple A9. The Apple T2 chip is based on the A10. On May 10, 2022, the iPod Touch 7th generation was discontinued, ending production of A10 Fusion chips. The latest software updates for the iPhone 7 & 7 Plus including the iPod Touch 7th generation variants systems using this chip are iOS 15.7.9, released on September 11, 2023 as they were discontinued with the release of iOS 16 in 2022, while updates for the iPad variants systems using this chip are still supported.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apple A12X</span> System on a chip (SoC) designed by Apple Inc.

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References

  1. 1 2 Gowri, Vivek; Lal Shimpi, Anand (March 28, 2012). "The Apple iPad Review (2012): The A5X SoC". Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Apple iPad 2 GPU Performance Explored: PowerVR SGX543MP2 Benchmarked". AnandTech. March 12, 2011. Archived from the original on March 18, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Updated: Samsung fabs Apple A5 processor". EETimes.com. March 12, 2011. Archived from the original on May 9, 2013. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Apple's A5 chip is built by Samsung". The Guardian. December 16, 2011. Archived from the original on October 1, 2013. Retrieved January 29, 2012. "The powerful A5 processor, which uses technology licensed from Britain's ARM Holdings, is designed by Apple in California, by a team formerly part of PA Semi – an American chip design company that Apple bought in April 2008."
  5. ↑ "Apple iPad 2 feature page". Apple.com. Archived from the original on March 16, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
  6. ↑ "About Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation) software updates". Apple Support. Archived from the original on December 27, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  7. 1 2 "Apple iPad 2 Preview". AnandTech. March 12, 2011. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Apple Announces iPhone 4S: A5, 8 MP Camera, 1080p Video Recording". October 4, 2011. Archived from the original on October 9, 2011. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Why Apple's A5 is so big—and iPhone 4 won't get Siri". August 4, 2012. Archived from the original on February 5, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
  10. ↑ "Inside Apple's iPad 2 A5: fast LPDDR2 RAM, costs 66% more than Tegra 2". AppleInsider. Archived from the original on May 16, 2013. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
  11. ↑ Pascal-Emmanuel Gobry (March 14, 2011). "It Costs $326.60 To Make An iPad 2 – Why That Matters". Business Insider. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved March 14, 2011.
  12. 1 2 "Samsung upgrades Texas mobile device chip factory". BBC News Online. August 21, 2012. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
  13. ↑ Gupta, Poornima (December 16, 2011). "Exclusive: Made in Texas: Apple's A5 iPhone chip". Reuters. Archived from the original on December 23, 2015. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  14. ↑ Foresman, Chris (February 27, 2012), iOS 5.1 code hints at simultaneous A5X and A6 processor development, Ars Technica, archived from the original on May 2, 2012, retrieved March 26, 2012
  15. ↑ "iPhone 4S CPU Clocked At 800MHz Is 73% Faster Than iPhone 4, Twice As Fast As Galaxy S II, And All Other Android Phones". Redmond Pie. October 11, 2011. Archived from the original on October 31, 2012. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
  16. 1 2 3 "A First Look at Apple's A5 Processor". Chipworks. March 12, 2011. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
  17. ↑ "iPad 2 Tablet Teardown and Apple A5 IC Analysis". TechInsights. March 12, 2011. Archived from the original on September 18, 2013. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  18. 1 2 3 "Update – 32-nm Apple A5 in the Apple TV 3 – and an iPad 2!". Chipworks. April 11, 2012. Archived from the original on October 24, 2013. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
  19. ↑ "iPad Mini Wi-Fi Teardown". iFixit. November 1, 2012. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  20. ↑ Lal Shimpi, Anand (March 15, 2013). "Apple TV 2013 (A1469) Short Review: Analysis of a New A5". AnandTech. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved September 23, 2014.
  21. 1 2 3 "Apple's TV surprise – a new A5 chip!". Chipworks. March 12, 2013. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
  22. ↑ "A5 Chip in Tweaked Apple TV Still Manufactured by Samsung at 32nm - MacRumors.com". Archived from the original on March 14, 2013. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  23. ↑ "Tweaked Apple TV Contains Die-Shrunk A5 Chip, Not A5X - MacRumors.com". Archived from the original on March 10, 2013. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
Preceded by Apple A5
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