In a shocking 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 in the course of the product’s launch on the “Let Free” occasion in Could.
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 (completely 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. In the course of the iPad Air part of the “Let Free” occasion video, Apple doesn’t really state the M2’s variety of CPU and GPU cores.
Apple informed 9to5Mac that every one of its GPU efficiency claims relies on a 9-core GPU and that the corporate is working to right 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 Could 21, however one other snapshot wasn’t taken till June 1, which exhibits the 9-core GPU.
Primarily based on Apple’s correction, the iPad Air opinions which have been posted and embrace benchmarks present outcomes of a 9-core GPU. A fast survey of 5 on-line opinions all talk about graphics efficiency however don’t specify the variety of GPU cores of their examined iPad Air.
In its overview of the M2 iPad Air, Macworld’s German sister website, Macwelt, recorded a Geekbench Metallic 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 all the time 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 might be troublesome 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 obtainable 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.
Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M2, 2024)
Worth When Reviewed:
$599 (128GB, Wi-Fi solely)
Apple iPad Air 13-inch (M2, 2024)
Worth When Reviewed:
$799 (128GB, Wi-Fi solely)
