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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesA15 Bionic is the better chip, but it is an incremental upgrade over A14 rather than a dramatic everyday leap. Both use six-core CPUs and 16-core Neural Engines. A15 adds a newer CPU design, higher efficiency, more transistors and, in some devices, a fifth GPU core. For messaging, browsing and streaming, either remains fast; A15 matters more for demanding games, sustained creative work and long-term performance headroom.
A14 versus A15 at a glance
| Feature | A14 Bionic | A15 Bionic | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Process | 5 nm | 5 nm | A refined generation, not a node-size revolution. |
| CPU | 6 cores (2 performance, 4 efficiency) | 6 cores (2 performance, 4 efficiency) | A15 improves architecture, performance potential and efficiency without adding CPU cores. |
| GPU | 4 cores | 4 or 5 cores, depending on device | The five-core version provides the largest graphics advantage. |
| Neural Engine | 16 cores | 16 cores | A15 has higher claimed machine-learning throughput. |
| Approximate transistors | 11.8 billion | 15 billion | The larger budget supports additional resources. |
| First major products | iPhone 12 family, iPad Air (4th generation) | iPhone 13 family, iPad mini (6th generation) | Cooling, battery, memory and display still vary by product. |
Apple’s device specifications are the best way to identify the implementation in a particular model: iPhone comparison and iPhone 14 technical specifications. Transistor figures are summarized in this technical SoC comparison.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | $262.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Starlight - Unlocked (Renewed) | $267.23 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Blue - Unlocked (Renewed) | $269.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Apple iPhone 12, 64GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed) | $188.94 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Pink - Unlocked (Renewed) | $287.00 | Buy on Amazon |
How much faster is A15?
A15 leads in both single-core and multi-core CPU work, but the difference is usually more visible in benchmarks than in simple apps. Launching messages, browsing websites and switching between ordinary apps can feel much the same on healthy A14 and A15 devices. Compiling code, exporting video, processing large photos and other burst workloads benefit more from A15’s newer design.
There is no universal A15 score. Geekbench results change with device size, operating-system and benchmark versions, battery health, background tasks and thermal limits. Use the Geekbench iOS results, Geekbench AI results and Notebookcheck’s aggregated comparison as representative device tests, not Apple guarantees. A larger A14 iPad can sustain a workload better than a small A15 phone if its cooling and power limits are more generous.
#1 Best Overall
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
- Product may come in generic Box.
The GPU difference is the key A15 variation
A14 has a four-core GPU. A15 appears with either four or five GPU cores, so “A15 performance” is not one fixed target.
| A15 implementation | Representative devices |
|---|---|
| Four-core GPU | iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone SE (3rd generation) |
| Five-core GPU | iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max, iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, iPad mini (6th generation) |
The five-core version offers more headroom for 3D games, high-resolution effects and GPU-accelerated video work. A four-core A15 is still newer than A14, but its graphics advantage is smaller. Confirm the exact model in Apple’s comparison tool before comparing prices.
Rank #2
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR display. 5G Superfast downloads, high quality streaming
- Cinematic mode in 1080p at 30 fps. Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 4K at 60 fps. 2X Optical zoom range
- A15 Bionic chip. New 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores. New 4-core GPU. New 16-core Neural Engine
- Up to 19 hours video playback. Face ID. Ceramic Shield front. Aerospace-grade aluminum
Neural Engine and machine learning
Both chips have 16-core Neural Engines. Apple’s iPhone 13 launch material claims up to 15.8 trillion operations per second for A15, versus approximately 11 trillion commonly associated with A14-era specifications. These are theoretical throughput figures, not a promise that every task runs proportionally faster. See Apple’s iPhone 13 announcement and Platform Security documentation.
The extra capacity can help computational photography, speech recognition, image classification, augmented reality and Core ML apps. It does not automatically qualify every device for a newer operating-system feature: memory, device generation, software support and Apple’s individual requirements also apply.
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- 6.1" Super Retina XDR display. 5G Superfast downloads, high?quality streaming
- Cinematic mode in 1080p at 30 fps. Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 4K at 60 fps. 2X Optical zoom range
- A15 Bionic chip. New 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores. New 4-core GPU. New 16-core Neural Engine
- Up to 19 hours video playback. Face ID. Ceramic Shield front. Aerospace-grade aluminum
Battery efficiency is device-dependent
A15 is generally more efficient: it can finish a task sooner and return to a lower-power state. Final battery life, however, depends on battery capacity, display, modem, cameras, chassis and software. A large A15 phone may last longer simply because it has a larger battery, while the small iPhone SE battery can erase much of the chip’s efficiency benefit. Signal strength, 5G use, brightness, gaming and camera recording can dominate consumption. When buying used, battery health is often more important than the A14/A15 label.
Gaming, photography and video
Gaming
A15 is preferable for demanding 3D games, especially with its five-core GPU. It offers higher frame-rate headroom and is likely to remain comfortable for longer. Casual 2D games run similarly on both. A 60-Hz display, game-engine cap, low battery or poor cooling can prevent a faster chip from producing visibly higher frame rates.
Rank #4
- Fully unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US-Cellular, Cricket, Metro, etc.).
- Inspected and guaranteed to have minimal cosmetic damage, which is not noticeable when the device is held at arm's length.
- Successfully passed a full diagnostic test which ensures like-new functionality and removal of any prior-user personal information.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a charging cable that may be generic.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Photography and video
The processor contributes to HDR, noise reduction, stabilization, computational photography and video encoding, but sensors, lenses, optical stabilization, RAM, storage and thermal design determine the finished result. An A14 iPhone 12 Pro can have more capable camera hardware than an A15 iPhone SE, while an A15 iPhone 13 can support newer computational features than an older A14 model. Compare the complete specifications at Apple’s iPhone comparison page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which devices use each chip?
A14 products
- iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPad Air (4th generation)
- iPad (10th generation)
These differ substantially in cameras, screens, batteries, modems, chassis and memory. Apple’s certified-refurbished 10th-generation iPad listing documents one A14 configuration, not every A14 product.
Best Value
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR display. 5G Superfast downloads, high?quality streaming
- Cinematic mode in 1080p at 30 fps. Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 4K at 60 fps. 2X Optical zoom range
- A15 Bionic chip. New 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores. New 4-core GPU. New 16-core Neural Engine
- Up to 19 hours video playback. Face ID. Ceramic Shield front. Aerospace-grade aluminum
A15 products
- iPhone 13 and 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max
- iPhone SE (3rd generation)
- iPhone 14 and 14 Plus
- iPad mini (6th generation)
The iPhone SE is the least representative A15 device: its small battery, older body, single camera, smaller display and Touch ID shape the experience. The standard iPhone 14 uses the stronger five-core-GPU A15 implementation.
Buying advice for used and refurbished devices
Choose A15 when
- The price difference from a comparable A14 device is small.
- You play demanding 3D games or edit video.
- You will keep the device for several years and want more performance headroom.
- The model has the five-core GPU and similar battery health and storage to the A14 alternative.
Choose A14 when
- It is substantially cheaper for messaging, browsing, streaming, reading and ordinary photography.
- It offers a better camera system, display, storage, battery condition or ergonomics.
- You need an inexpensive temporary or secondary device.
- A larger iPad’s cooling and usability matter more than peak chip performance.
As a practical editorial rule, when otherwise similar refurbished devices are within about 10–15% in price, favor A15. This is guidance, not an Apple specification or a universal market average. If the A14 model is materially cheaper or higher-tier, compare the whole product.
Inspect the device, not just the processor
- Battery health and charging behavior
- Storage capacity (64 GB versus 128 GB or 256 GB can matter more than the chip)
- Camera, display and port requirements
- Activation status, carrier lock and repair history
- Return policy and warranty
Apple’s certified-refurbished iPad pages include a one-year limited warranty and 14-day return policy; prices and inventory are regional and change over time. A current listing observed in August 2026 showed $319 for Wi‑Fi 64 GB and $449 for Wi‑Fi + Cellular 64 GB, so treat those figures as dated price signals rather than universal market prices.
Bottom line
Pick A15—preferably a five-core-GPU model—when gaming, demanding creative work, efficiency or long-term headroom justify the premium. Pick A14 when it is meaningfully cheaper or belongs to a better-equipped device. The best purchase is the complete product with the healthier battery, suitable storage, display and cameras, not automatically the one with the newer chip.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
