In a stunning twist a month after its launch, Apple has modified the configuration of the GPU within the new iPad Air. As reported by 9to5Mac, the technical specs for the iPad Air now say that its M2 chip has a 9-core GPU, as an alternative of the ten cores said through the product’s launch on the “Let Unfastened” occasion in Might.
Replace 6/3/24 1:30 p.m. PT: Apple confirmed that the iPad Air has a 9-core GPU and that the earlier assertion of a 10-core GPU is wrong.
Apple’s iPad Air press launch and the iPad Air specs web page within the help part of Apple.com (totally different from the specs on the product web page) had listed a 10-core GPU as of this writing on Monday morning. Each of these internet pages have since been corrected. Throughout the iPad Air part of the “Let Unfastened” occasion video, Apple doesn’t really state the M2’s variety of CPU and GPU cores.
Apple advised 9to5Mac that each one of its GPU efficiency claims relies on a 9-core GPU and that the corporate is working to appropriate its documentation on its web site.
It’s not clear when the change was made on the iPad Air product web page. The Web Archive exhibits the 10-core GPU on the specs web page recorded on Might 21, however one other snapshot wasn’t taken till June 1, which exhibits the 9-core GPU.
Based mostly on Apple’s correction, the iPad Air evaluations which have been posted and embrace benchmarks present outcomes of a 9-core GPU. A fast survey of 5 on-line evaluations all focus on graphics efficiency however don’t specify the variety of GPU cores of their examined iPad Air.
In its evaluate of the M2 iPad Air, Macworld’s German sister web site, Macwelt, recorded a Geekbench Steel Rating of 41902. The 2023 M2 13-inch MacBook Air has two GPU scores we will have a look at to match: 46001 for the 10-core GPU M2, and 38953 for the 8-core CPU M2. The iPad Air’s rating falls in between the Air scores, so it appears seemingly that the Air at all times had a 9-core GPU and Apple posted the 10-core GPU specification in error.
Utilizing these scores, the distinction between the 9- and 10-core GPU is 10 p.c. That’s a small distinction that customers aren’t going to note in on a regular basis use. Even with graphically demanding apps (video games, for instance), the distinction shall be tough to see on an iPad.
The 9-core GPU is a change from earlier iterations of the M2. The M2 used within the 2023 13-inch MacBook Air was out there with both an 8- or 10-core GPU, whereas the 2023 15-inch MacBook Air, 2023 13-inch MacBook Professional, and the present base mannequin Mac mini have a 10-core GPU.
Get extra details about Apple’s latest pill in our iPad Air superguide.
