iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
The Apple A15 Bionic is a 5-nanometer system-on-chip introduced with the iPhone 13 generation in 2021. In iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini, it combines a six-core CPU, a four-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine. Its benchmark scores depend on the device, operating system and test version, so there is no single score that represents every A15-equipped iPhone.
What are the A15 Bionic specifications?
Apple introduced A15 Bionic on September 14, 2021, describing it as a chip built using 5-nanometer technology with nearly 15 billion transistors. For iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini, Apple specifies this configuration:
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Apple iPhone SE 3rd Gen, 64GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | $120.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Apple iPhone 16e, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed) | $388.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Apple iPhone 13, 256GB, Green - Unlocked (Renewed) | $307.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Apple iPhone 14 Plus, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | $325.28 | Buy on Amazon |
- CPU: Six cores—two performance cores and four efficiency cores.
- GPU: Four cores.
- Neural Engine: 16 cores, capable of 15.8 trillion operations per second, according to Apple.
Apple’s launch announcement provides the process, transistor count and Neural Engine figure; Apple’s iPhone 13 mini technical specifications also confirm the CPU and GPU core counts. These GPU details are specifically established here for iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini; they should not be generalized to every device that uses an A15 variant.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteWhat did Apple claim about A15 performance?
At launch, Apple said the A15 CPU was “up to 50 percent faster than the competition” and its four-core GPU was “up to 30 percent faster than the competition.” Those are Apple’s September 2021 claims, not benchmark results with a universally defined comparison. The cited announcement does not name a specific competing device, benchmark suite or test conditions, so the percentages should not be treated as reproducible performance guarantees.
#1 Best Overall
- 4.7-inch Retina HD display. 5G capable
- Advanced single-camera system with 12MP Wide camera; Smart HDR 4, Photographic Styles, Portrait mode, and 4K video up to 60 fps
- 7MP FaceTime HD camera with Smart HDR 4, Photographic Styles, Portrait mode, and 1080p video recording. Home button with Touch ID for secure authentication
- A15 Bionic chip for lightning-fast performance. Durable design and IP67 water resistance
- Up to 15 hours of video playback
What Geekbench scores have A15 iPhones reported?
Geekbench figures describe particular tests and results, not a fixed specification for the A15 chip. These examples differ in device, version and reporting method:
| Device and result | Geekbench version | Single-core | Multi-core | Metal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 mini chart; aggregate of submitted results | Geekbench 6 | 1,977 | 5,020 | 14,595 |
| One submitted iPhone 13 run uploaded January 21, 2026; iOS 26.2 | Geekbench 6.5.1 | 2,330 | 5,255 |
The iPhone 13 mini Geekbench chart aggregates user-submitted Geekbench 6 results; its listed values are database results, not scores guaranteed by Apple. The iPhone 13 Geekbench result is one submitted CPU run, uploaded on January 21, 2026, on iOS 26.2. Its single- and multi-core scores should not be averaged with the mini chart or treated as directly equivalent: the devices and reporting methods differ, and the individual run uses Geekbench 6.5.1.
Rank #2
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak), 2532x1170px at 460ppi, 4005mAh Battery
- 8GB RAM, Apple A18 6-core CPU (2 performance + 4 efficiency cores), Apple GPU 4-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18.3.1, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- Connectivity: Global 4G LTE, Sub-6 GHz 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C, Wireless Charging (7.5W). (does not have mmWave 5G or MagSafe or physical SIM card) - Dual eSIM Only
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Straight Talk., Etc.
How to compare A15 benchmark results fairly
Before drawing conclusions from a score, check what it actually measures and how it was produced:
- Separate single-core from multi-core: They measure different CPU workloads and should be reported as distinct values.
- Keep CPU and GPU results separate: Geekbench CPU scores and Metal scores are different tests, not interchangeable measures.
- Record the benchmark version: Results from different Geekbench versions should not be treated as directly comparable without qualification.
- Identify the device: State the iPhone model and chip configuration; do not assume every A15 device has the same GPU configuration.
- Include the operating system: OS version is part of the context for a submitted result.
- Distinguish one run from an aggregate: A single submission and a chart aggregating user submissions represent different kinds of evidence.
- Label the source of a performance claim: Apple’s launch comparison is a company claim; Geekbench Browser scores are user-submitted results.
What the numbers establish—and what they do not
The specifications establish the stated A15 configuration for iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini, while the Geekbench examples show scores reported for particular devices and test conditions. They do not establish one definitive Geekbench score for every A15-equipped device, nor do they independently verify Apple’s launch-era comparisons against a specified competitor under a controlled protocol.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display and advanced camera system for better photos in any light.
- Cinematic mode now in 4K Dolby Vision up to 30 fps.
- Action mode for smooth, steady, handheld videos.
- All-day battery life and up to 26 hours of video playback.
- A15 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU for lightning-fast performance. Superfast 5G cellular.
Rank #3
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR display. 5G Superfast downloads, high?quality streaming
- Cinematic mode in 1080p at 30 fps. Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 4K at 60 fps. 2X Optical zoom range
- A15 Bionic chip. New 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores. New 4-core GPU. New 16-core Neural Engine
- Up to 19 hours video playback. Face ID. Ceramic Shield front. Aerospace-grade aluminum
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
