What is the Difference Between Apple A7 and A8 Processors?

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The Apple A7 and A8 processors are both 64-bit ARM-based chips used in Apple devices. They have some differences in terms of performance, technology, and features. Here are the main differences between the two processors:

  1. CPU Cores and Base Frequency: The Apple A7 has 2 cores with 2 threads and a maximum frequency of 1.40 GHz, while the Apple A8 has 2 cores with 2 threads and a maximum frequency of 1.50 GHz.
  2. Semiconductor Size: The Apple A8 has an 8nm smaller semiconductor size compared to the Apple A7, which has a 28nm semiconductor size.
  3. Integrated LTE: The Apple A8 processor has integrated LTE, which is not present in the Apple A7.
  4. Performance: According to Apple, the A8 processor has a 25% performance improvement over the A7. This can be attributed to the higher clock speed, smaller semiconductor size, and integrated LTE.

In summary, the Apple A8 processor is an improvement over the A7 in terms of performance, technology, and features. It has a higher clock speed, smaller semiconductor size, integrated LTE, and better overall performance.

Comparative Table: Apple A7 vs A8 Processors

Here is a table comparing the Apple A7 and A8 processors:

Feature Apple A7 Apple A8
Date of Release September 20th, 2013 September 9th, 2014
Designer Apple Apple
Manufacturer Samsung TSMC
Minimum Feature Size 28 nm 20 nm
Die Size 104 mm² 89 mm²
CPU 2 x ARMv8 64-bit Cyclone cores 2 x ARMv8 64-bit Enhanced Cyclone cores
Number of Transistors Approximately 2 billion Over 1 billion
Instruction Set ARMv8-A ARMv8-A
Micro-architecture Cyclone Cyclone Generation 2
Co-processor Apple M7 Apple M8

The Apple A8 processor has a smaller die size, higher transistor count, and an enhanced micro-architecture compared to the Apple A7 processor. The A8 is also more energy-efficient, with Apple claiming it to be 50% more energy-efficient than the A7. In terms of performance, the A8 is significantly faster, with a 7.69% faster CPU speed. Both processors use ARMv8-A architecture and have 2 CPU cores.