Apple Says M2 iPad Air Has 9 GPU Cores, Not 10 as Originally Stated

Apple has seemingly updated its tech specs webpage for the latest M2 iPad Air models to indicate the M2 chip has a 9-core GPU, rather than 10 cores as previously stated.

M2 iPad Air Hero Feature Orange
The change was first reported by 9to5Mac. Based on available web snapshots, the update to Apple's US website was made within the last 10 days. However, the equivalent webpage on many of Apple's regional stores still lists the M2 iPad Air as having a 10-core GPU.

Apple's press release originally announcing the product on its Newsroom also mirrors the original 10-core spec, as does support documentation for the device.

Apple has not commented on the change, which, if accurate, makes the new iPad Air the first M2-based Apple device with a 9-core GPU. Since the change went live on Apple's site, the going theory is that Apple's processor yield of 10-core chips was not sufficient, so it is using a "binned" version of the 10-core chip with one of the GPU cores disabled. The practice of "binning" is sometimes used to optimize processor yields and reduce waste.

In all likelihood, every M2 iPad Air model that Apple has sold includes a 9-core GPU, and Apple is simply updating its product information for accuracy. Any real-world performance difference between an M2 iPad Air with a 9-core versus a 10-core GPU would have arguably been unnoticeable to most users. Even so, some customers will probably want to know why Apple's marketing materials were mistaken.

Related Roundup: iPad Air
Buyer's Guide: iPad Air (Buy Now)
Related Forum: iPad

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Top Rated Comments

Aluminum213 Avatar
11 months ago
Does it really matter? with iPadOS you can still do everything on chips from five years ago
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
spaxxedout Avatar
11 months ago
This happened with the Vision Pro, too. The 1080p AirPlay was reduced to 720p. Exposes Apple to detrimental reliance / false advertising complaints.

I’m not one to talk when it comes to clerical errors, but I’m also not writing technical copy for Apple….
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Fuchal Avatar
11 months ago
10% power efficiency improvement
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
coffeemilktea Avatar
11 months ago
I can't believe Candy Crush is only going to have 9/10ths the cutting-edge graphical performance I expected. ?
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TechRunner Avatar
11 months ago
I would be expecting a $59.90 or $79.90 refund from Apple if I already purchased one of the new Airs. ;)
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
11 months ago
Whoops! Sorry!

Thanks for buying!
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)