Apple’s next-generation A20 Pro chip could bring several significant hardware upgrades, according to a new leak. The rumored improvements include a seven-core GPU, a wider memory interface, and a larger L2 cache for the efficiency cores.
The information comes from a Weibo leaker who claims to have reconstructed the alleged chip layout by mapping the processor’s solder-ball positions and overlaying them with die-level images. Based on this reconstruction, the leaker has attempted to determine the approximate location and configuration of various blocks inside the A20 Pro.
A20 Pro Could Retain a 2+4 CPU Configuration
According to the leaked layout, the A20 Pro could continue using a six-core CPU configuration consisting of two performance cores and four efficiency cores.
The reconstructed chip layout reportedly places the GPU toward the top of the die, while the CPU cores are positioned around the center.
While the overall CPU core configuration may remain similar to the previous generation, Apple could make improvements to the cache system to increase efficiency and performance.
Efficiency Core L2 Cache Could Increase to 8MB
One of the rumored upgrades involves the shared L2 cache used by the efficiency cores.
The A20 Pro is expected to feature an 8MB shared L2 cache for its efficiency cores, compared with 6MB on the A19 Pro. That would represent an increase of around 33%.
Meanwhile, the performance cores are reportedly expected to retain their existing 16MB L2 cache.
The size of the A20 Pro’s system-level cache remains unknown. However, the leaker reportedly believes that Apple is unlikely to reduce it, particularly because the new chip is expected to include improvements to its Image Signal Processor (ISP) and Neural Engine.
Seven-Core GPU Could Improve Graphics Performance
Another major change could come in the GPU department.
The leaked information suggests that the A20 Pro could feature a seven-core GPU, up from the six-core GPU reportedly used in the A19 Pro.
That represents an increase of approximately 16% in GPU core count.
However, the performance improvement may not come solely from the additional GPU core. The A20 Pro is also rumored to feature a significantly wider memory interface, which could provide the GPU with substantially more memory bandwidth.
96-Bit LPDDR5x Memory Interface
Perhaps the most notable claim in the leak is the alleged upgrade to the memory interface.
The A20 Pro could reportedly use a 96-bit LPDDR5x memory interface, compared with the 64-bit interface on the A19 Pro.
Moving from 64-bit to 96-bit would represent a 50% increase in memory interface width, potentially allowing the chip to achieve significantly higher memory bandwidth.
Higher memory bandwidth can be particularly beneficial for GPU-intensive workloads. As a result, the combination of a seven-core GPU and wider memory interface could provide additional gains in areas such as gaming, graphics processing, video editing, and AI workloads.
A20 Pro Rumored Specifications
Based on the current leak, the A20 Pro could reportedly feature:
- CPU: 2 performance cores + 4 efficiency cores
- GPU: 7 cores
- Efficiency Core L2 Cache: 8MB
- Performance Core L2 Cache: 16MB
- Memory: LPDDR5x
- Memory Interface: 96-bit
- Improved ISP
- Updated Neural Engine
Leak Should Be Treated With Caution
It is important to note that these specifications have not been officially confirmed by Apple. The information is based on a Weibo leak and an alleged reconstruction of the chip’s physical layout.
If the claims prove accurate, however, the A20 Pro could deliver a meaningful improvement over the A19 Pro. The combination of a seven-core GPU, larger efficiency-core cache, and a 96-bit memory interface could give Apple’s next-generation chip a noticeable boost in graphics performance and memory bandwidth.
Apple is expected to reveal more official details about its next-generation silicon in the future, at which point these leaked specifications can be compared with the final hardware.
