A5 Chip Benchmarks Show Estimated Graphic Performance Increase

[Akshay Masand]

Although there has been a lot of buzz surrounding the external redesign of the new iPhone, one of the main features that everyone already agrees upon is the incorporation of the much faster dual-core A5 processor in the new iPhone. The A5 processor was first introduced in the iPad 2 in March and houses a much faster graphics processing unit (GPU), which as expected, will improve the performance of the next generation iPhone. When first released, Apple said the iPad 2 had up to nine times the graphics performance as the original A4-powered iPad.

The folks over at Anandtech have performed a set of GLBenchmark tests, which end up showing how much faster the A5's GPU is compared to the A4, at least with respect to the graphics performance. Although the results may not be exact since Apple may possibly under clock the new iPhone's CPU compared to the iPad 2, the results should be somewhat representative of what is to come.

The A5 chip is exactly one of the main reasons that the iPad 2 hasn't seen much jailbreak opportunities. Aside from Comex's JailbreakMe 3.0, many of the current jailbreak utilities do not support the iPad 2. It has been said that a jailbreak is prepared for the A5 chip and is expected to be released shortly after the release of the next generation iOS devices. Hopefully this is the case so those of us who are upgrading won't have to wait long to get our jailbreak tweaks and apps.

Information regarding the specifications of the new iOS devices and more should be revealed on Tuesday at Apple’s “Let’s Talk iPhone” event so be sure to stay tuned.

Source: Anandtech

[Mrteacup]

Me want!!!!

[Kinkme93]

iPad 2 & the original iPad didn't seem that different in speed to me O.o

[GTRagnarok]

iPad 2 & the original iPad didn't seem that different in speed to me O.o

That means nothing without knowing what you're comparing. General stuff like navigating the homescreen will be similar because the iPad 1 is more than fast enough for that. But compare a performance taxing game like Infinity Blade and the difference should be noticeable.

[GreenApp1e]

Well this is a no dip Sherlock.

Moment*

[thekirbylover]

So the iPad 1 wasn't tested in this benchmark? I'd like to see which devices it's slower than.

[hogcia]

That speed chart makes the iPhone look really slow & outdated.

[Jahooba]

Don't forget, the A5 is also a dual-core cpu design. That, along with the new graphics processor, is what accounts for such speed.

[RICO_]

That speed chart makes the iPhone look really slow & outdated.

And yet people keep swearing that the iPHONE is a portable gaming system.

[malevo]

Don't forget, the A5 is also a dual-core cpu design. That, along with the new graphics processor, is what accounts for such speed.

NVIDIA Tegra 2 is also dual-core cpu..

[Carvensno]

NVIDIA Tegra 2 is also dual-core cpu..

Ok and?????? Whats your point? If not everyone, but alot people know that LOL :P

[Poseidon79]

This is a clear indication of how raw clock speed and specs don't always mean you'll win the battle. Apple is all about efficiency. The A5 chip was released back in April and still kicks the crap out of Samsung's brand new flagship device.

[vashht]

This is a clear indication of how raw clock speed and specs don't always mean you'll win the battle. Apple is all about efficiency. The A5 chip was released back in April and still kicks the crap out of Samsung's brand new flagship device.

Well you can't really say that since this is a graphics test which relies way more on the GPU rather than the CPU. Plus the ipad has a dual core gpu while the SGS2 has a single core gpu, this is why the ipad 2 destroys it in graphics tests. If the iphone 5 still has a dual core gpu that will be amazing but I wouldn't be surprised if it's a single core variant of the same gpu due to size and thermal issues.

[Hillefied]

Well you can't really say that since this is a graphics test which relies way more on the GPU rather than the CPU. Plus the ipad has a dual core gpu while the SGS2 has a single core gpu, this is why the ipad 2 destroys it in graphics tests. If the iphone 5 still has a dual core gpu that will be amazing but I wouldn't be surprised if it's a single core variant of the same gpu due to size and thermal issues.

There is no indication that the A5 processor currently developed has a single-core variant. The entire design of the A5 processor was and still is to deliver performance while maintaining a low power consumption to conserve battery life. This was evident in the iPad 2. Someone mentioned that there was no comparison between the iPad 1 and iPad 2. While the benchmark tests in the picture above doesn't shaw the iPad 1, it's closest relative, the iPhone 4, could be used. They share much of the same GPU's where-as previously mentioned, the clockspeed on the iPhone 4 would be reduced to conserve power and promote battery life. The next gen iPhone may not be as powerful to compete with normal gaming console GPU's, it will surpass other handheld gaming platforms such as the Sony PSP-3000, Nintendo 3DS, and others. That is, of course, only in the aspect of graphics performance.

[vashht]

There is no indication that the A5 processor currently developed has a single-core variant. The entire design of the A5 processor was and still is to deliver performance while maintaining a low power consumption to conserve battery life. This was evident in the iPad 2. Someone mentioned that there was no comparison between the iPad 1 and iPad 2. While the benchmark tests in the picture above doesn't shaw the iPad 1, it's closest relative, the iPhone 4, could be used. They share much of the same GPU's where-as previously mentioned, the clockspeed on the iPhone 4 would be reduced to conserve power and promote battery life. The next gen iPhone may not be as powerful to compete with normal gaming console GPU's, it will surpass other handheld gaming platforms such as the Sony PSP-3000, Nintendo 3DS, and others. That is, of course, only in the aspect of graphics performance.

I never mentioned a single core CPU, the A5 has a dual core A9 CPU as well as the dual core SGX543MP2. I said maybe it will have a single core GPU, which would be the SGX543. Anyway I was just speculating, tmaybe he new iphone will just use a downlocked version of the A5 processor. Also if you check Anandtech they do have the ipad 1 in other benchmarks from this same review, this wasn't the only chart on there...

[Hillefied]

I never mentioned a single core CPU, the A5 has a dual core A9 CPU as well as the dual core SGX543MP2. I said maybe it will have a single core GPU, which would be the SGX543. Anyway I was just speculating, tmaybe he new iphone will just use a downlocked version of the A5 processor. Also if you check Anandtech they do have the ipad 1 in other benchmarks from this same review, this wasn't the only chart on there...

I understood what you were talking about. When you mentioned the possibility of a single-core A5 variant, I suggested that there was no evidence to support that. I also never mentioned anything about a CPU. I was also referring to the GPU. I apologize for any confusion.