An A5 Powered iPhone Will Have Much Faster Graphics Performance (Benchmarks)

While most of the recent focus has been whether or not the next iPhone will have a dramatic external redesign, one feature that seems to be universally agreed on is that the new iPhone will incorporate the much faster dual-core A5 processor, which also houses a much faster graphics processing unit (GPU).

The A5 was first introduced in the iPad 2 in March. At the time, Apple said the iPad 2 had up to nine times the graphics performance as the original A4-powered iPad.

a5bench
A recent set of GLBenchmark tests by Anandtech (graph above) shows how much faster in this the A5's GPU is as compared to the A4, at least with respect to certain graphics performance. The results may not be exact, as Apple could underclock the new iPhone's CPU as compared to the iPad 2, but the results should be somewhat representative.

Apple is expected to announce the new iPhone on Tuesday, October 4th during a media event.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro 3 4ths Perspective Aluminum Camera Module 1

New iPhone 17 Pro Details: Brighter Display, Best Battery Life, and More

Wednesday September 3, 2025 5:33 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models will feature a number of significant display, thermal, and battery improvements, according to new late-stage rumors. According to the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital," the iPhone 17 Pro models will feature displays with higher brightness, making it more suitable for use in direct sunlight for prolonged periods. The iPhone 16 Pro and...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

iPhone 17 Pro: 5 Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Prices Estimated Ahead of Apple Event Next Week

Tuesday September 2, 2025 1:50 pm PDT by
Just one week before Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series, an analyst has shared new price estimates for the devices. Here are J.P. Morgan analyst Samik Chatterjee's price estimates for the iPhone 17 series in the United States, according to 9to5Mac: Model Starting Price Model Starting Price Change iPhone 16 $799 iPhone 17 ...
iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
iOS 18 on iPhone Arrow Down

Apple Preparing iOS 18.7 for iPhones as iOS 26 Release Date Nears

Sunday August 31, 2025 4:35 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.7 for compatible iPhone models, according to evidence of the update in the MacRumors visitor logs. We expect iOS 18.7 to be released in September, alongside iOS 26. The update will likely include fixes for security vulnerabilities, but little else. iOS 18.7 will be one of the final updates ever released for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR,...
iPhone 17 Pro on Desk Centered 1

Survey: Nearly 70% of Users Plan to Upgrade to iPhone 17

Monday September 1, 2025 8:24 am PDT by
A new survey has found that nearly seven in ten iPhone owners in the United States plan to upgrade to an iPhone 17 model, signaling strong demand ahead of Apple's expected unveiling of the devices at its September 9 keynote. Smartphone price comparison platform SellCell surveyed over 2,000 U.S.-based iPhone users in August to assess upgrade interest and brand loyalty before Apple's event....

Top Rated Comments

Reach9 Avatar
182 months ago
I'm thinking that the A5 will be even more significant for the iPhone, than the iPad, since it's a smaller device. We're looking at a beast here guys. 1GB of RAM, Dual Core A5 processor, this thing will run like water.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
topmounter Avatar
182 months ago
So in short,

The iPad2 processor is faster than the iPhone4 processor and if they put the iPad2 processor in the new iPhone(4S/5), then IT WILL HAVE A FASTER PROCESSOR THAN THE IPHONE4!!1!

Startling.

Is this just to get something new on the front page?
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sanz315 Avatar
182 months ago
Preparing the masses for a total let down.

I believe MacRumors is just preparing us for a letdown on Tuesday. No Legendary iPhone 5. So they are kinda telling us to cheer up because well get an A5 on our iPhone 4S's :(
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kjjnk Avatar
182 months ago
I'm a 3GS owner -- I've been eligible to upgrade for over a year. I passed on the iP4 because of shoddy materials (fragile glass is not durable enough for a tech item I handle over 100 times per day) and signal issues.

I will not buy the iPhone 5 if it uses the same flawed design as the 4.

Plus, as I said earlier, the A5 could be a beast, but you won't see any major app releases that close the door on iP4 and 3GS users anytime soon (would be leaving too much money on the table) -- at minimum until next summer when the iP6 comes out. By then, Apple will have hopefully ditched the terrible design and I'll be more than happy to upgrade.

This is how I'm picturing you:
MacRumors content image
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
r2fa3l Avatar
182 months ago
I believe everyone already expected this.........
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
oiuh151 Avatar
182 months ago
Yup.

And I'd be shocked if any of the apps written in the near future (read: 8-12 months) will take advantage of this so as to not to alienate the legacy hardware in the iP4.

Big speed increase that you won't see any real benefit from for some time.

Eh?

There were a ton of optimized apps for the iPad 2 at launch that still supported the original iPad.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)