Why do some games look better on iPhone 5 than on iPad 3??

Hey all.

So I picked up the new iPad (3rd generation) today and am very impressed with it. Been using it for hours actually. So I had a question that maybe someone can fill me in on. As far as I know both iPhone 5 and iPad 3 have retina displays. I am running iOS 5 on iPad (havent gotten around to upgrading yet) and iOS 6 on iPhone. But I am noticing some games look better on the iPhone as opposed to the iPad. Here are just a few quick examples:

FIFA 13 - The text on the menus seem to be a bit blurry on iPad. Sharp as a tac on iPhone.

Sonic 4 Episode II - Seems to be a lot more jaggies on iPad...some framerate slowdown on special stages.

Jetpack Joyride - Looks worse overall on iPad.

Not complaining or anything, just curious as to why this may be.

The iPhone 5 has three graphics cores at 266Mhz.
The iPad 3 has four of the same graphics cores at 250Mhz.

The iPhone has a faster processor, but I suspect iPad 3 is probably more suited to games anyhow.

However, the iPad 3 has roughly twice the resolution, and when games are optimised for the higher resolution, some sacrifices need to be made.

Sometimes performance will take a hit, sometimes the game will be rendered at less than full resolution, but upscaled to fill the screen, performance can take a hit, special effects can be removed, etc.

Here's a comparison between iPad 2 and 3's graphics, though things have probably changed a bit by now.

Because the ipad 3 is bottlenecked by it's resolution, many times games are upscaled hence the blurriness. 3D polygonal games are just not meant to be pushed at such resolutions with current technology.

It's a combination of iPhone 5's new A6 processor and lower resolution compared to iPad.

If that's the case, when iPad mini is out, what do you think will be the response? Will it be better than iPhone 5 specs? Aiiooo

The iPad mini will likely have slightly improved version of the iPhone 5 hardware.

There is a chance it might just use the exact same hardware as the iPhone 5, but a bump in GPU performance would be more reasonable (3 cores to 4 cores).

[QUOTE="Aiiooo"]If that's the case, when iPad mini is out, what do you think will be the response? Will it be better than iPhone 5 specs? NVIDIATI

The iPad mini will likely have slightly improved version of the iPhone 5 hardware.

There is a chance it might just use the exact same hardware as the iPhone 5, but a bump in GPU performance would be more reasonable (3 cores to 4 cores).

I'd expect to see the Mini with a dual core A5, not an A6 (as seen in the iPhone 5). It may not even have the newer GPU as seen in the iPad 3, but the current GPU seen in the 4S. All sources point to a 7.85", 1024x768 resolution screen, which wouldn't require the kind of horsepower the iPad 3 requires. To keep costs down, I doubt Apple would use the highly specialized, difficult to assemble A6 when they can use a less expensive and still very capable A5 chip.

These are my speculations based on what we know, and if Apple releases a 249USD version of the iPad, it will be a challenge for other products to gain much traction.musicalmac

Possibly, though it would be strange for Apple to highlight an "A5" SoC in a new iPad mini shortly after the launch of the iPhone 5 with their flagship A6.

It really depends on how large Apple wants to keep their profit margins on the device itself.

Example, Samsung's Chromebook launching this Monday will be using Exynos 5 Dual and is priced at $250. So A6 wouldn't be out of the question at that price range.

[QUOTE="musicalmac"]I'd expect to see the Mini with a dual core A5, not an A6 (as seen in the iPhone 5). It may not even have the newer GPU as seen in the iPad 3, but the current GPU seen in the 4S. All sources point to a 7.85", 1024x768 resolution screen, which wouldn't require the kind of horsepower the iPad 3 requires. To keep costs down, I doubt Apple would use the highly specialized, difficult to assemble A6 when they can use a less expensive and still very capable A5 chip.

These are my speculations based on what we know, and if Apple releases a 249USD version of the iPad, it will be a challenge for other products to gain much traction.NVIDIATI

Possibly, though it would be strange for Apple to highlight an "A5" SoC in a new iPad mini shortly after the launch of the iPhone 5 with their flagship A6.

It really depends on how large Apple wants to keep their profit margins on the device itself.

Example, Samsung's Chromebook launching this Monday will be using Exynos 5 Dual and is priced at $250. So A6 wouldn't be out of the question at that price range.

Anyone else notice how much the chromebook looks like the spitting image of the macbook air? right down to the keyboard. only difference is the samsung logo.Kid-Atari

Possibly, though it would be strange for Apple to highlight an "A5" SoC in a new iPad mini shortly after the launch of the iPhone 5 with their flagship A6.

It really depends on how large Apple wants to keep their profit margins on the device itself.

Example, Samsung's Chromebook launching this Monday will be using Exynos 5 Dual and is priced at $250. So A6 wouldn't be out of the question at that price range.

NVIDIATI

I think you're going off topic, but yes in a number of ways it does look similar to the macbook air. The biggest difference is the hinge on the display, nothing like the macbook. If the device was in a different colour than I doubt many would even notice that much similarity to the macbook air. From almost any other angle than straight on, the device doesn't look much like the macbook air, the Chromebook from the side looks a little bulky. Although, I would have to see it in person to really judge it.

NVIDIATI

If we're being truly honest, it looks strikingly similar.....musicalmac

Yet fails to achieve the Macbook Air look.

And yes this is off topic.

[QUOTE="NVIDIATI"]

Possibly, though it would be strange for Apple to highlight an "A5" SoC in a new iPad mini shortly after the launch of the iPhone 5 with their flagship A6.

It really depends on how large Apple wants to keep their profit margins on the device itself.

Example, Samsung's Chromebook launching this Monday will be using Exynos 5 Dual and is priced at $250. So A6 wouldn't be out of the question at that price range.

musicalmac

I'm not going to deny the possibility of an A5, but in some ways Apple does care about specs and I doubt they would just have the iPad mini as a miniature iPad 2 w/ the 32nm process.

As for final specs, we'll just have to wait until Tuesday to find out.

I suspect a price point of $299 which automatically rejects the a6.mystic_knight

Both A5X and A6 have a strong edge on a 32nm A5. I can't see the iPad mini becoming a bottleneck for Apple, unless they don't have much intention of supporting the first generation (similar to the first generation iPad). Keep in mind the current iPod Touch uses the 32nm A5, you'd expect the iPad mini to have more power than that.

[QUOTE="mystic_knight"] I suspect a price point of $299 which automatically rejects the a6.NVIDIATI

Both A5X and A6 have a strong edge on a 32nm A5. I can't see the iPad mini becoming a bottleneck for Apple, unless they don't have much intention of supporting the first generation (similar to the first generation iPad). Keep in mind the current iPod Touch uses the 32nm A5, you'd expect the iPad mini to have more power than that.

iPad Mini= $299

iPhone 5 = $699

iPad (3rd gen) = $499

I would say they are going to put cheaper parts to meet the price point. The materials required to make the iPad mini would make the jump in price from an iPod to the iPad Mini. (eg bigger screen/battery frame etc)

And to answer the OP's question. The resolution is far too hight for the current GPU in the iPad 3. so sacrifices were made on textures to create that resolution output. The iPhone 5 is actually very well optimised.

iPod = $150

mystic_knight

So something here just threw me off completely.

After checking on their website, the new iPod Touch (with 32nm A5) 32GB is $300 and the 64GB is $400.

iPod Classic is $250.

I get a feeling an iPad mini (with A6) will be $400 starting price, the same price as the iPad 2 (with 32nm A5).

[QUOTE="mystic_knight"]

iPod = $150

NVIDIATI

So something here just threw me off completely.

After checking on their website, the new iPod Touch (with 32nm A5) 32GB is $300 and the 64GB is $400.

iPod Classic is $250.

I get a feeling an iPad mini (with A6) will be $400 starting price, the same price as the iPad 2 (with 32nm A5).