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| General information | |
|---|---|
| Designed by | ARM Holdings |
| Architecture and classification | |
| Instruction set | ARM,Thumb-2 (32-bit cores); ARMv7-A and ARMv8-A A64,A32,T32 (64-bit cores); ARMv8-A, ARMv8.1-A, ARMv8.2-A, ARMv9-A, ARMv9.2-A |
TheARM Cortex-A is a family ofARM architecture processor cores developed byArm Holdings. Designed for application-level computing, Cortex-A cores are widely used in devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and embedded systems.
Cortex-A processors include both32-bit and64-bit designs. Most 32-bit cores implement theARMv7-A architecture profile. All 64-bit Cortex-A cores implement theARMv8-A profile, which supports both 64-bit and, in some cases, 32-bit execution.
The Cortex-A series is distinct from Arm'sCortex-R andCortex-M families, which are optimized for real-time and low-power applications, respectively. Unlike the other two families, the Cortex-A series supports amemory management unit (MMU) required by many modern operating systems.
In 2025, Arm introduced theC-series naming scheme to succeed the Cortex-A and Cortex-X branding for application processors. The C-series cores continue the architectural lineage of the Cortex-A family, beginning with the C1 generation.
| 32-bit | |
|---|---|
| Year | Core |
| 2005 | Cortex-A8 |
| 2007 | Cortex-A9 |
| 2009 | Cortex-A5 |
| 2010 | Cortex-A15 |
| 2011 | Cortex-A7 |
| 2013 | Cortex-A12 |
| 2014 | Cortex-A17 |
| 2016 | Cortex-A32 |
| 32/64-bit | |
|---|---|
| Year | Core |
| 2012 | Cortex-A53 |
| Cortex-A57 | |
| 2015 | Cortex-A35 |
| Cortex-A72 | |
| 2016 | Cortex-A73 |
| 2017 | Cortex-A55 |
| Cortex-A75 | |
| 2018 | Cortex-A76 |
| 2019 | Cortex-A77 |
| 2020 | Cortex-A78 |
| 2021 | Cortex-A710 |
| 2022 | Cortex-A510 (refresh) |
| 64-bit | |
|---|---|
| Year | Core |
| 2016 | Cortex-A34 |
| 2018 | Cortex-A65 |
| 2021 | Cortex-A510 |
| 2022 | Cortex-A715 |
| 2023 | Cortex-A520 |
| Cortex-A720 | |
| 2024 | Cortex-A725 |
| 2025 | Cortex-A320 |
| Cortex-A530 | |
| Cortex-A730 | |
Arm Holdings does not produce or sell physical processors. Instead, it licenses its processor designs to other companies, which integrate them into custom chips. Licensees receive a synthesizable hardware description of the core—typically written inVerilog—along with a software development toolkit and the rights to produce and sell chips containing the ARM architecture.
This licensing model allows chip designers to customize the processor core to meet specific performance, power efficiency, or size requirements. Manufacturers can add proprietary features, optimize for higher clock speeds or lower power consumption, and configure the core to suit a wide range of applications. The exact configuration of an ARM-based chip varies by manufacturer and can be determined by consulting datasheets and reference manuals.
Cortex-A cores implement several versions of the ARM architecture, reflecting their generation and feature set. Older models such as the Cortex-A5, A7, A8, A9, A12, A15, and A17 are based on the ARMv7-A architecture. Newer 32-bit and 64-bit cores—including the Cortex-A32, A34, A35, A53, A57, A72, and A73—use the ARMv8-A architecture, which introduced support forexclusive load and store instructions used in synchronization.[1] Later cores such as the Cortex-A55, A65, A75, A76, A77, and A78 implement ARMv8.2-A. The most recent designs, including the Cortex-A510, A710, A715, A520, and A720, are based on the ARMv9-A and ARMv9.2-A architectures.
Documentation for ARM-based processors is typically organized in several layers. At the top level are high-level marketing materials and datasheets provided by the chip manufacturer, which describe the specific system-on-chip (SoC) and its capabilities. More detailed reference manuals outline the chip’s peripherals and system integration features.
At the core level, Arm publishes reference manuals for each Cortex-A processor, covering implementation details and supported features.[2] For a deeper understanding of the underlying instruction sets and architecture, Arm’s architecture reference manuals provide a comprehensive technical specification. Additional documentation, such as evaluation board guides, application notes, and errata, is often provided by manufacturers to support development and deployment.
| ARM Core | Bit Width | ARM Website | ARM Technical Reference Manual | ARM Architecture Reference Manual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cortex-A5 | 32 | Link | Link | ARMv7-A |
| Cortex-A7 | 32 | Link | Link | |
| Cortex-A8 | 32 | Link | Link | |
| Cortex-A9 | 32 | Link | Link | |
| Cortex-A12 | 32 | merged into A17 | ||
| Cortex-A15 | 32 | Link | Link | |
| Cortex-A17 | 32 | Link | Link | |
| Cortex-A32 | 32 | Link | Link | ARMv8-A |
| Cortex-A34 | 64 | Link[permanent dead link] | Link | |
| Cortex-A35 | 32/64 | Link | Link | |
| Cortex-A53 | 32/64 | Link | Link | |
| Cortex-A55 | 32/64 | Link | Link | ARMv8.2-A |
| Cortex-A57 | 32/64 | Link | Link | ARMv8-A |
| Cortex-A510 | 64 (2021) 32/64 (2022) | Link | Link | ARMv9-A |
| Cortex-A520 | 64 | Link | Link | ARMv9.2-A |
| Cortex-A65 | 64 | Link[permanent dead link] | Link | ARMv8.2-A |
| Cortex-A72 | 32/64 | Link | Link | ARMv8-A |
| Cortex-A73 | 32/64 | Link | Link | |
| Cortex-A75 | 32/64 | Link | Link | ARMv8.2-A |
| Cortex-A76 | 32/64 | Link | Link | |
| Cortex-A77 | 32/64 | Link | Link | |
| Cortex-A78 | 32/64 | Link | Link | |
| Cortex-A710 | 32/64 | Link | Link | ARMv9-A |
| Cortex-A715 | 64 | Link | Link | |
| Cortex-A720 | 64 | Link | Link | ARMv9.2-A |
