iPhone 13 Pro Offers Significantly Improved GPU Performance Compared to iPhone 12 Pro - MacRumors
Skip to Content

iPhone 13 Pro Offers Significantly Improved GPU Performance Compared to iPhone 12 Pro

Just a day after the iPhone 13 models were announced by Apple, the first Geekbench score has already surfaced. Someone has benchmarked the GPU performance of the iPhone 13 Pro, and there's a significant performance increase compared to the prior-generation iPhone 12 Pro.

a15 chip iphone 13
The iPhone 13 Pro, or iPhone14,2, earned a Metal score of 14216, a 55 percent increase compared to the 9123 Metal score earned by the iPhone 12 Pro.

iphone 13 pro geekbench
Apple's iPhone 13 models feature an A15 chip with 6 CPU cores, including two performance cores and four efficiency cores. Both the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro devices have the same CPU, but there are differences when it comes to GPU. The iPhone 13 and 13 mini are equipped with a 4-core GPU, while the higher-end iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max have a 5-core GPU.

Apple has called the A15 chip with the 5-core GPU in the Pro models the "world's fastest smartphone chip," and says that it delivers "up to 50% faster graphics performance than any other smartphone chip." Given the difference demonstrated in Metal scores, that appears to be accurate, with the A15 in the Pro models outperforming the A14. The benchmark also confirms that the Pro models feature 6GB RAM as was already seen in Xcode. The iPhone 13 and 13 mini have 4GB RAM.

No one has benchmarked one of the standard iPhone 13 models so we don't know how they compare to the prior-generation A14, nor do we have a benchmark of the CPU to compare CPU performance between the A14 and A15. Apple has said little about the A15's CPU, and rather than comparing it to the A14, Apple instead pointed out that it's "up to 50% faster" than the competition.

The iPad mini has the same A15 chip with 5-core GPU that's in the iPhone 13 Pro models, so we can expect the same graphics performance from Apple's updated tablet.

With the iPhone 13 lineup set to launch next week and soon to be in the hands of reviewers, we won't have to wait too much longer to get additional benchmarks of the A15 that will give us more insight into its overall performance. The new iPhones are set to be available for pre-order on Friday, September 17 at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

Dynamic Island iPhone 18 Pro Feature

12 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 18 Pro

Thursday June 18, 2026 2:17 am PDT by
We're only three months out from the launch of Apple's premium next-generation smartphone lineup, and while we're not expecting a sea change in terms of functionality, there are still several enhancements rumored to be coming to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth noting is that Apple is reportedly planning a major change to its iPhone release cycle this year, adopting a ...
Apple Watch Ultra Orange Alpine Loop Action button 220907 big

Apple Explains Why watchOS 27 Drops Support for So Many Models

Friday June 19, 2026 6:07 am PDT by
Apple today detailed why five Apple Watch models will miss out on watchOS 27 and the new Siri AI features that come with it. The Apple Watch Series 6, 7, 8, SE 2, and the original Apple Watch Ultra will not receive watchOS 27, and will only get basic security updates going forward. With the update, Apple is effectively dropping three years' worth of device support in a single software...
Rivian Explains Why CarPlay Debate Will Become Completely Obsolete Feature

iOS 27 Adds Major New Feature to CarPlay

Wednesday June 17, 2026 9:10 am PDT by
Last year, Apple revealed that it was planning to allow CarPlay users to watch video via AirPlay in their vehicles while they are not driving, and the company finally provided more specific details about this functionality at WWDC 2026. In a WWDC 2026 video aimed at developers, Apple said the CarPlay video feature is available in new vehicles that support it. When playing a video in an...

Top Rated Comments

62 months ago

Okay but what are we going to do with it?
scan all your activities for csam
Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bluetoot- Avatar
62 months ago
Okay but what are we going to do with it?
Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AppleFan91 Avatar
62 months ago

Okay but what are we going to do with it?
I’m going to crush so much candy!!!!!
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
martin2345uk Avatar
62 months ago
By the time we get to the iPhone 18 it’s gonna be so fast it’ll react to your presses before you make them
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
aeternitas Avatar
62 months ago
Does anyone even care already?
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Craiger Avatar
62 months ago
Who would upload a GPU benchmark and not a CPU benchmark if not Apple?
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)