Apple updates the latest information on the iPad Air M2: Only 9 GPU cores instead of 10: Tech: Tech Times

Apple recently made a subtle change to the technical specifications of the iPad Air M2, which launched just last month.

Initially, the iPad Air was advertised as having a 10-core GPU. However, the company has now updated the technical specifications to indicate that it actually has a 9-core GPU.

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(Photo: Apple)

The latest version of the iPad Air may be the first Apple device with a 9-core graphics processor. The M2-equipped gadget could have been trashed to optimize performance.

Apple did not provide any explanation for this adjustment. Instead, the iPad Air M2’s tech specs page has been quietly updated to reflect the improved number of GPU cores, as first reported by 9to5Mac.

According to archived data, this change occurred within the last 10 days. Despite this update, the original press release for the iPad Air M2 still mentions a 10-core GPU, as does the outdated support page. Moreover, the Cupertino-based tech giant is yet to update the technical specifications on its international websites.

Related Article: New iPad Air and iPad Pro: With M2 Power and eSIM Support (Up to 50% Faster!)

Does Apple have misinformation about its product?

This version is unusual for several reasons. This suggests internal misunderstandings within Apple, leading to the initial misinformation that the iPad Air M2 had a 10-core GPU. The inconsistency across various sections of Apple’s website adds to the confusion.

Importantly, this is the first time Apple has sold an M2 chip with a 9-core GPU in any of its products.

For example, the MacBook Air M2 offers 8-core or 10-core GPU options. This discrepancy means that the M2 chip in the iPad Air is a reworked version of the 10-core GPU, which means it likely contains chips that don’t meet the criteria for a full 10-core GPU but still work perfectly fine with 9 cores enabled .

What is GPU binning?

Binning is a common practice in semiconductor manufacturing. According to MacRumors, some chips may not meet all performance standards for each core during production.

Instead of throwing away these chips, manufacturers disable weaker cores and sell chips with fewer active cores. This practice ensures that more chips produced can be used, reducing waste and costs.

For consumers, this change may raise concerns about the accuracy of product information. However, the M2 9-core GPU still offers significant performance improvements over previous models. The impact on everyday use is likely to be minimal, although transparency of such changes is crucial for consumer confidence.

In addition to the new iPad Air, you can now pre-order the latest iPad Pro model. According to a previous Tech Times report, this was one of the highlights of the “Let Loose” event last time.

Since it comes with an M4 chip, it is expected to be twice as powerful as the M2 processor. Somehow it will be perfect for gaming as it supports ray tracing and mesh shading.

Also Read: Apple Launches New iPad Pro and iPad Air: Here’s How to Pre-Order