Apple A11 Bionic
Apple A11 Bionic: Retrospective and Relevance in 2025
An overview of the processor that changed the perception of mobile performance
Introduction
The Apple A11 Bionic is a processor that set new standards for power and energy efficiency in smartphones in 2017. Despite eight years passing since its release, devices powered by it still remain operational. In this article, we will explore how the A11 compares to modern chips, who it may suit in 2025, and what lessons Apple learned from its development.
1. Architecture and Process Technology: Innovations of its Time
6 Cores and Task Segregation
The A11 Bionic was Apple’s first processor with a six-core architecture, including:
- 2 high-performance Monsoon cores with a frequency of up to 2.39 GHz for resource-intensive tasks.
- 4 energy-efficient Mistral cores with a frequency around 1.1 GHz for background processes.
This approach provided a balance between performance and battery life. For example, Monsoon cores were activated for gaming, while Mistral cores were used for listening to music.
GPU and Neural Engine
- The Apple A11 GPU with a triple-core architecture supported Metal 2, enabling the processing of complex graphics in games and AR applications.
- The Neural Engine was Apple’s first neural module, containing 2 cores for machine learning (up to 600 billion operations per second) and handled Face ID, object recognition in photos, and AR filters.
10 nm Process Technology
In 2017, the shift to a 10-nanometer process from TSMC was revolutionary. It allowed for a 40% reduction in power consumption compared to the A10 Fusion (16 nm) while maintaining high performance.
2. Performance in Real-world Tasks: What Can the A11 Do in 2025?
Gaming
In 2025, the A11 Bionic can handle mobile games at medium settings:
- Genshin Impact — 30-40 FPS at low graphic presets.
- PUBG Mobile — stable 40 FPS in HD mode.
However, in projects with ray tracing (e.g., Honkai: Star Rail), frame drops to 20-25 FPS are observed.
Multimedia
- Support for 4K@60 FPS and HDR10 remains relevant for streaming services.
- Decoding video in HEVC and H.264 formats does not overload the processor, which is important for streaming.
Artificial Intelligence
By modern standards, the Neural Engine is weak, but it can handle basic tasks:
- Processing photos in Portrait Mode.
- Operating voice assistants (Siri).
- Filters in social networks (TikTok, Instagram).
Power Consumption and Heating
With a TDP of 8W, the A11 requires adequate cooling. In the iPhone 8/X, a passive radiator handles short bursts, but during extended gaming (over 20-30 minutes), throttling may occur—reducing clock speeds to 1.8-2.0 GHz.
3. Integrated Modules: Limitations of the 4G Era
Modem
The A11 Bionic utilized the Intel XMM 7480 with support for LTE Cat.16 (up to 1 Gbps). In 2025, this feels outdated:
- No 5G support limits speed in next-gen networks.
- In areas with weak 4G coverage (e.g., rural areas), A11 devices may operate more reliably than 5G counterparts due to lower power consumption.
Wireless Interfaces
- Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) — speed up to 866 Mbps. Sufficient for home use, but delays may occur in public networks under heavy load.
- Bluetooth 5.0 — compatible with most accessories (headphones, smartwatches).
Navigation
Support for GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS ensures positioning accuracy within 3-5 meters.
4. Comparison with Competitors: What Can the A11 Do Today?
2017-2018 Generation
- Snapdragon 835 (10 nm): Lags behind A11 in Single-Core (Geekbench 6: ~800 vs 1097) but excels in energy efficiency.
- Kirin 970 (10 nm): AI capabilities are on par with A11, but the Mali-G72 MP12 GPU is weaker in gaming.
Modern Chips (2024-2025)
- Apple A18 Bionic (3 nm): Offers three times the performance in Multi-Core (Geekbench 6: ~7200).
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm): 5G support, AI accelerator Hexagon with 45 TOPS compared to 0.6 TOPS in A11's Neural Engine.
Conclusion: The A11 Bionic today is comparable to budget processors like the MediaTek Dimensity 700, but with better optimization for iOS.
5. Use Cases: Who Will Benefit from the A11 in 2025?
Daily Tasks
- Social media, messaging, web surfing.
- Watching videos in high resolution.
Gaming
Only suitable for casual games: Candy Crush, Among Us, Clash Royale.
Photo and Video
- Shooting in Portrait Mode with bokeh effect.
- Recording 4K video with stabilization. However, newer chips (A16 and above) offer ProRes modes and cinematic blur.
6. Pros and Cons of the Processor
Strengths
- Optimized for iOS 15-17 (limited updates will remain relevant in 2025).
- Reliability: A11 devices suffer less from software failures.
- Support for ARKit — a foundation for augmented reality applications.
Weaknesses
- No 5G support.
- Heating under prolonged loads.
- Unavailability of iOS 18 and newer (predicted).
7. Tips for Choosing an A11 Bionic Device
What to Look For
- Battery Condition: Refurbished iPhone 8/X devices often have battery wear of 80-85%. Replacement costs $50-70.
- iOS Version: Devices running iOS 16 are more stable than those on iOS 17.
- Price: Refurbished models range from $200-300. New devices with A11 won't be available in 2025.
Typical Devices
- iPhone 8/8 Plus — for compact size and basic tasks.
- iPhone X — the first iPhone with an OLED display and Face ID.
8. Final Conclusion: Is It Worth Considering the A11 in 2025?
The A11 Bionic is a processor for those who:
- Are looking for a budget iPhone for social media, calls, and photos.
- Want to get acquainted with the Apple ecosystem without overpaying (refurbished iPhone 8/X).
- Value reliability and longevity.
Main Benefits:
- Affordable price.
- Support for most current applications.
- Quality build of devices.
However, for gaming, AI tasks, and 5G, it is advisable to choose models with A15 or newer. The A11 Bionic in 2025 serves as an example of a “workhorse” that continues to function despite its age.