Apple A9X
Apple A9X: Retrospective and Relevance in 2025
An overview of the mobile processor that was ahead of its time and its place in the modern market
Introduction
The Apple A9X processor, released in 2015, marked an important milestone in the history of mobile chips. It debuted in the first generation iPad Pro, positioned as a solution for professional tasks. A decade later, in 2025, the A9X is no longer competitive with modern SoCs, but devices based on it still appear in the secondary market and in budget lines. Let's explore how this processor stands today, who it might still benefit, and what lessons Apple learned from its development.
Architecture and Process Technology: Why 16 nm and Two Cores?
CPU: The Balance of Power and Efficiency
The Apple A9X is built on a 64-bit Twister architecture—the company's second generation of CPU cores. The chip contains 2 cores clocked at 2.26 GHz, which was groundbreaking for 2015: competitors like the Snapdragon 820 utilized 4 cores but lagged behind in single-core performance.
The 16 nm FinFET process technology (manufactured by TSMC) allowed for reduced power consumption; however, by modern standards (3–5 nm in top SoCs of 2025), this seems archaic. Nevertheless, Apple managed to optimize the chip for smooth iOS operation, especially in combination with the M9 motion coprocessor.
GPU: PowerVR Series7 – The Legacy of Imagination Technologies
The PowerVR Series7 graphics accelerator (GT7800 variant) in the A9X delivered console-level graphics in 2015. It supported the Metal API, allowing developers to create complex visual effects for the iPad Pro. However, today its capabilities are modest: for example, in games like Genshin Impact (2025), it struggles to achieve 20 FPS on low settings.
Memory and Cache
The A9X used a 128-bit LPDDR4 memory bus, which was rare for tablets at the time. The RAM capacity in devices reached 4 GB, which remains acceptable for basic tasks even in 2025.
Performance in Real Tasks: What Can the A9X Do in 2025?
Gaming
Modern mobile games optimized for GPUs supporting ray tracing and AI upscaling struggle to run on the A9X. However, older titles like Asphalt 9 or Minecraft run at medium settings. iOS optimization plays a significant role; for example, Apple Arcade games from 2019–2022 (like Oceanhorn 2) demonstrate stable 30 FPS.
Multimedia
- Video: Playback of 4K@60fps (H.264/H.265) poses no issues.
- Audio: Supports Lossless formats (ALAC) and Dolby Atmos.
- Streaming: Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+ run smoothly, but 8K content is inaccessible.
Artificial Intelligence
The A9X lacks a dedicated neural chip (NPU), so AI tasks (object recognition, photo processing) are handled via CPU/GPU. This leads to increased power consumption; for instance, processing a filter in the Pixelmator app takes 2–3 seconds compared to 0.5 seconds on the Apple A16.
Power Consumption and Heating
The 16 nm process technology and the absence of modern heat dissipation systems (like vapor chambers) make the A9X vulnerable under prolonged load. In the 2015 iPad Pro, this was compensated by passive cooling, but in compact devices (like the iPhone 6s with A9), throttling and rapid battery drain can occur.
Built-In Modules: Connectivity Limitations
Modems
The A9X does not have a built-in modem, so network support depends on external chips. The 2015 iPad Pro used the Qualcomm MDM9635M (LTE Cat.6, up to 300 Mbps). 5G is unavailable, as is VoLTE in new networks of some operators.
Wireless Interfaces
- Wi-Fi 802.11ac (up to 866 Mbps) — operates stably but does not support Wi-Fi 6E.
- Bluetooth 4.2 — compatible with most accessories but not with LE Audio (2023).
Navigation
Supports GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo; however, accuracy is lower than in chips with dual-frequency modules (e.g., Snapdragon 8 Gen 3).
Comparison with Competitors: Where Does the A9X Stand in 2025?
Previous Generations of Apple
- A8X (2014): The A9X is 40% faster in Geekbench 6.
- A10 Fusion (2016): Lags in multi-threading (4 cores vs. 2) but wins in energy efficiency.
Modern Budget Chips (2025)
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 3: Single-threaded performance on par with the A9X but supports 5G and Wi-Fi 7.
- MediaTek Dimensity 6100+: Twice the speed in AI tasks, built on a 6 nm process.
Conclusion
Today, the A9X compares favorably to budget processors from 2022–2023, but it lags in supporting new communication standards and energy efficiency.
Use Cases: Who Is the A9X Suitable For?
Everyday Tasks
- Web surfing, social media, email — handled without delays.
- Office applications (Google Docs, Microsoft 365) — work smoothly.
Photo and Video
- 4K@30fps recording (on the 2015 iPad Pro).
- Basic retouching in Lightroom Mobile.
- No support for ProRes and Dolby Vision HDR formats.
Gaming
Only casual games and projects from 2015–2020.
Pros and Cons of the A9X in 2025
Pros:
1. High single-core performance for its age.
2. Full compatibility with iOS 15 (current applications until 2023).
3. Low cost of devices on the secondary market ($80–150).
Cons:
1. Lack of support for 5G and modern Wi-Fi/Bluetooth standards.
2. Limited multi-threading.
3. High power consumption under load.
Practical Tips: How to Choose a Device with A9X?
1. Device Type: Consider the iPad Pro 12.9" (2015) — it features a larger screen, better cooling, and a sizable battery.
2. iOS Version: Ensure the device is updated to iOS 15 (the latest available version).
3. Battery Condition: Wear over 20% is critical due to the chip's high power consumption.
4. Purpose of Use: Only for basic tasks — reading, video, simple applications.
Final Conclusion: Who Is the A9X Suitable For?
In 2025, this processor should be viewed as a budget solution for:
- Students — for taking notes and working with PDFs.
- Older Users — the simplicity of iOS and the availability of applications.
- Retro Tech Enthusiasts — an opportunity to appreciate the evolution of Apple Silicon.
The main advantages are low price and proven reliability, but for serious tasks (video editing, gaming, AI), it is better to choose devices with A14 chips or newer.
P.S. If you find a 2015 iPad Pro for $100 in good condition, it's a great gift for a child or a backup device for travel. But don't expect wonders from it: its time for glory was in the past decade.