Apple A9
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Apple A9
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| Designer | Apple |
|---|---|
| Introduced | September 2015 (iPhone 6s) |
| Process | 16 nm TSMC / 14 nm Samsung (dual-sourced) |
| CPU | Dual-core "Twister", 1.85 GHz |
| GPU | PowerVR GT7600 |
| Devices | iPhone 6s · iPhone 6s Plus · iPhone SE (1st) · iPad (2017) |
| Predecessor | Apple A8 |
| Successor | Apple A10 |
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The Apple A9 powered the iPhone 6s generation from September 2015 — 70% faster CPU, 90% faster GPU, and the chip behind always-on "Hey Siri" via its embedded M9 coprocessor. It is remembered equally for "chipgate": Apple dual-sourced it from TSMC (16 nm) and Samsung (14 nm), benchmark forums erupted over battery differences Apple measured at 2–3%, and checking one's chip foundry briefly became a consumer ritual.
1 Legacy✎
Chipgate ended Apple's dual-sourcing era — TSMC has fabricated Apple's chips exclusively since — and the A9's decade of software support (iOS 9 through the 2025 security tail) set the longevity standard for the whole industry.