Anandtech: Apple A8X soc in iPad Air 2 has GPU with eight cores

The A8X soc in the iPad Air 2 probably has a GPU with eight cores. Anandtech derived that from a die shot. It is probably a gpu that manufacturer Imagination has never announced and which Anandtech calls GXA6850.

The GPU would therefore have twice as many cores as those in the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, the GX6450. Although Imagination never announced the GXA6850, Anandtech points out that when Imagination announced its new line of GPUs last week, the top model had 16 cores, twice as many as the current top model in the Series 6XT.

It is therefore the first time that Apple uses an unannounced GPU in its soc. This indicates that Apple is working closely with manufacturer Imagination on the implementation of new GPUs. Anandtech hints that Apple may have designed the GPU itself based on the G6450. The soc is only in the iPad Air 2.

It is unknown how Anandtech got the information. The site is known for its contacts within the departments of companies responsible for making processors. The site’s founder, Anand Lal Shimpi, left the site he gave his name to earlier this year to join Apple.