A12Z Chip In IPad Pro Confirmed To Be Same As A12X, But With ...

Skip to ContentOpen Menu

• Front Page
• Roundups Show Roundups
  • AirPods 4
  • AirPods Max
  • AirPods Pro 3
  • AirTag
  • Apple Deals
  • Apple Pay
  • Apple Pro Display XDR
  • Apple Studio Display
  • Apple TV
  • Apple Vision Pro
  • Apple Watch 11
  • Apple Watch SE 3
  • Apple Watch Ultra 3
  • CarPlay
  • HomePod
  • HomePod mini
  • iMac
  • iOS 26
  • iPad
  • iPad Air
  • iPad mini
  • iPad Pro
  • iPadOS 26
  • iPhone 16
  • iPhone 16e
  • iPhone 17
  • iPhone 17 Pro
  • iPhone 18
  • iPhone Air
  • Mac mini
  • Mac Pro
  • Mac Studio
  • MacBook Air
  • MacBook Pro
  • macOS Tahoe
  • watchOS 26
• Guides
• How Tos
• Reviews
• Buyer's Guide
• Forums Show Forums menu
  • New Posts
  • Login
  • Register
  • Visit Forums
  • Alerts
  • Direct messages
  • Watched
  • New Posts
  • Visit Forums

PodcastInstagramFacebookTwitterMastodonYouTubeNotificationsRSSNewsletterVisit Forums

• New Posts
• Login
• Register
• Visit Forums

• Alerts
• Direct messages
• Watched
• New Posts
• Visit Forums

SearchClose SearchOpen Sidebar

• AirTag
• iPhone 18
• iOS 26
• macOS Tahoe
• iPadOS 26
• iPhone 17
• iPhone 17 Pro
• MacBook Pro
• iMac
• Mac mini
• HomePod
• Apple TV
• iPad Pro
• iPhone Air
• Apple Vision Pro
• iPhone 16
• iPhone 16e
• AirPods 4
• Apple Pro Display XDR
• Apple Watch Ultra 3
• HomePod mini
• Mac Pro
• MacBook Air
• iPad
• AirPods Max
• AirPods Pro 3
• Apple Deals
• Apple Studio Display
• Apple Watch 11
• Apple Watch SE 3
• Mac Studio
• iPad Air
• iPad mini
• CarPlay
• Apple Pay
• watchOS 26

All >

• Front Page
• Roundups
• Guides
• How Tos
• Reviews
• Buyer's Guide
• Upcoming Products
• Forums
• Archives
• Tips / Contact Us
• PodcastInstagramFacebookTwitterMastodonYouTubeNotificationsRSSNewsletter

A12Z Chip in iPad Pro Confirmed to Be Same As A12X, But With Extra GPU Core EnabledMonday April 13, 2020 4:48 pm PDT by Juli Clover

The 2020 iPad Pro models are equipped with an A12Z processor that is the same as the A12X processor in the 2018 ‌iPad Pro‌ models but with an extra GPU core enabled, TechInsights confirmed today.

Speculation that Apple was using the same chip began shortly after the new iPad Pros launched and benchmarks found little in the way of performance improvements.

Our analysis confirms #Apple #A12Z GPU chip found inside #iPadPro (model A2068) is the same as A12X predecessor. A report of our findings is underway & will be available as part of TechInsights' #Logic Subscription. Learn more here https://t.co/WWQqlPorNF pic.twitter.com/RsQEADpZsc — TechInsights (@techinsightsinc) April 13, 2020

Apple didn't highlight changes to CPU performance, but there is one difference - the A12Z features an 8-core GPU, while the A12X has a 7-core GPU.

Information provided in March by TechInsights suggested that the A12X was simply an 8-core GPU chip with one GPU core disabled, indicating the A12Z is a re-binned A12X with that latent GPU core enabled.

At the time, TechInsights said that it planned to conduct a floorplan analysis to determine whether there are any differences between the A12X and the A12Z, which has now been completed, and the GPU chips are the same. A full report on TechInsights findings will be available on its website to those with a subscription.

It is not unusual for chip manufacturers to disable one core of a processor when a chip isn't meeting yield levels, and that's perhaps what happened with the A12X. The manufacturing of the chip has now improved enough that yields have gotten better and all 8 cores are functional, resulting in the A12Z chip.

Related Roundup: iPad ProTag: A12ZBuyer's Guide: iPad Pro (Buy Now)[ 271 comments ]

Get weekly top MacRumors stories in your inbox.

Popular Stories

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by Joe RossignolApple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...Read Full Article • 84 comments

Apple Says These 7 U.S. States Plan to Offer iPhone Driver's Licenses

Monday February 9, 2026 6:24 am PST by Joe RossignolIn select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...Read Full Article • 112 comments

Why You Shouldn't Buy the Next MacBook Pro

Tuesday February 10, 2026 4:27 pm PST by Juli CloverApple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models as soon as early March, but if you can, this is one generation you should skip because there's something much better in the works. We're waiting on 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, with few changes other than the processor upgrade. There won't be any tweaks to the design or the display, but later this...Read Full Article • 228 comments

Apple Releases iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3

Wednesday February 11, 2026 10:07 am PST by Juli CloverApple today released iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3, the latest updates to the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 operating systems that came out in September. The new software comes almost two months after Apple released iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. According to Apple's release notes, ...Read Full Article • 83 comments

Apple Expected to Launch These 10+ Products Over the Coming Months

Tuesday February 10, 2026 6:33 am PST by Joe RossignolIt has been a slow start to 2026 for Apple product launches, with only a new AirTag and a special Apple Watch band released so far. We are still waiting for MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, the iPhone 17e, a lower-cost MacBook with an iPhone chip, long-rumored updates to the Apple TV and HomePod mini, and much more. Apple is expected to release/update the following products...Read Full Article • 40 comments

Top Rated Comments

calzon6576 months agoSo based on this information, if you have the 2018 iPad pro, this upgrade is pretty unimpressive.Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)Jjoeblow777776 months ago

So basically if you have the 2018 iPad pro, this upgrade is pretty unimpressive.

As I always say, a single generation upgrade is almost never worth it. The 2020 ipad pro is not for people who already have a 2018.Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)Nneuropsychguy76 months ago

So.. the thing that I bought last year has a GPU core purposefully disabled? Isnt that kind of like the battery thing they were sued for?

No, this is nothing like that. A lot of processors have disabled cores or features due to binning.Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)adib76 months ago

As an 2018 iPad Pro user, I would like to activate the 8th core, please.

Would you like the 8th core to be activated but only works half of the time and crashing your app when the core locks up or return unexpected results?These are quite common in chip production – extra "stuff" are produced because the costs are marginal to make those, then tested, and if some parts are defective then just disable them and label the item as a "lower-grade" product. Like how Intel 486SX ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_80486') chips are really 486DX with the numeric co-processor disabled, because it failed testing.Food production also works similarly. Farmers would harvest the fruits and vegetables then grade them accordingly. The finest one goes to restaurants, second grade goes to supermarkets, the broken ones becomes pickle or kimchi, and the almost-spoiled ones are materials for sauces and pastes.Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)Icaras76 months agoAs an 2018 iPad Pro user, I would like to activate the 8th core, please.Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)EugW76 months agoThis does seem like an unexpected interim release. I wonder if the new contract with Qualcomm prevented Apple from releasing a 5G version with the current chipset.

So basically if you have the 2018 iPad pro, this upgrade is pretty unimpressive.

50% more RAM, double the base storage, new camera, WiFi 6, etc.Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)Read All Comments

Next Article

Tomb Raider Reboot Launches on iOS and Android

Guides

iOS 26 Features

Our comprehensive guide highlighting every major new addition in iOS 26, plus how-tos that walk you through using the new features.

iOS 26.3 Features

Transfer to Android tool, new weather wallpapers, and more.

50 macOS Tahoe Features

New features and lesser-known changes to check out if you're upgrading.

iPhone 17 vs iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone Air

Apple's four new iPhones feature more differences between the latest models than ever before, so which one should you buy?

• Apple Intelligence Guide • Image Playground Guide • iPhone Mirroring Not Working? • 21 Time-Saving iPhone Tips • 14 macOS Tips to Make Your Life Easier • One AirPod Not Working? See more guides

Upcoming

iPhone 17e Early 2026

A19 chip, MagSafe, and perhaps a Dynamic Island instead of a display notch.

Apple TV Early 2026?

Upgrade to A17 or newer chip with Apple Intelligence support, plus Apple's new N1 wireless networking chip.

Smart Home Hub Early 2026?

Squarish 7-inch screen for controlling smart home products, listening to music, making video calls, and more.

HomePod mini Early 2026?

Faster chips and new colors expected.

• Low-Cost MacBook • MacBook Air • MacBook Pro • Studio Display • Mac mini • Mac Studio • iPhone 18 Pro • Foldable iPhone See full product calendar

Other Stories

Apple Reportedly Unveiling a New iPhone Next Week

2 days ago by Joe Rossignol

Use Edge Light for Better Video Calls in macOS

2 days ago by Tim Hardwick

Get Your iPhone to Ask Callers Who They Are Before You Answer

2 days ago by Tim Hardwick

All-New Apple CarPlay Feature Leaked

4 days ago by Joe Rossignol

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

1 week ago by Joe Rossignol