# ARM Cortex-A72

> computer processor microarchitecture

**Wikidata**: [Q19606482](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19606482)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARM_Cortex-A72)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/arm-cortex-a72

## Summary
The ARM Cortex-A72 is a computer processor microarchitecture and semiconductor intellectual property core designed by ARM Holdings. It is a 64-bit processor based on the AArch64 architecture and is part of the ARM Cortex-A family of microprocessor cores.

## Key Facts
- **Announcement Date:** February 3, 2015
- **Architecture:** Based on AArch64 (ARMv8-A 64-bit instruction set)
- **Classification:** Semiconductor intellectual property core and microprocessor
- **Product Series:** ARM Cortex-A
- **Preceded By:** ARM Cortex-A57
- **Succeeded By:** ARM Cortex-A73
- **Official Website:** http://www.arm.com/products/processors/cortex-a/cortex-a72-processor.php
- **Instance Of:** Product model

## FAQs
### Q: What is the ARM Cortex-A72?
A: It is a computer processor microarchitecture and semiconductor intellectual property core. It belongs to the ARM Cortex-A family and implements the ARMv8-A 64-bit instruction set.

### Q: When was the ARM Cortex-A72 first introduced?
A: The microarchitecture was officially announced by ARM Holdings on February 3, 2015. It was positioned as a design to set a new standard for premium mobile experiences.

### Q: Which processor architecture does the Cortex-A72 follow?
A: The Cortex-A72 follows the ARM Cortex-A57 microarchitecture. It was later succeeded by the ARM Cortex-A73.

### Q: Is the ARM Cortex-A72 a 64-bit processor?
A: Yes, the ARM Cortex-A72 is a 64-bit microarchitecture. It is based on the AArch64 architecture and implements the ARMv8-A instruction set.

## Why It Matters
The ARM Cortex-A72 represents a significant iteration in the ARM Cortex-A series of microprocessor cores. As a semiconductor intellectual property core, it provides the foundational design that manufacturers use to build integrated-circuit chips for various computing devices. 

By implementing the ARMv8-A 64-bit instruction set (AArch64), the Cortex-A72 addressed the industry's shift toward 64-bit computing in the mid-2010s. It was specifically designed to enhance the "premium mobile experience," serving as a bridge between the earlier ARM Cortex-A57 and the subsequent ARM Cortex-A73. Its role as a licensed design means it has influenced the development of numerous processors across the semiconductor industry, maintaining ARM's presence in high-performance mobile and embedded computing.

## Notable For
- **64-Bit Architecture:** Implements the ARMv8-A 64-bit instruction set designed by ARM Holdings.
- **Successor Status:** Served as the direct architectural replacement for the ARM Cortex-A57.
- **IP Core Model:** Distributed as a semiconductor intellectual property core rather than a standalone physical chip.
- **Premium Mobile Focus:** Marketed upon announcement as the new standard for high-end mobile device performance.

## Body

### Architectural Foundation
The ARM Cortex-A72 is built upon the AArch64 architecture. It specifically implements the ARMv8-A 64-bit instruction set, which was designed by ARM Holdings to provide high-performance computing capabilities. As a member of the ARM Cortex-A family, it is classified as a microprocessor contained on an integrated-circuit chip.

### Product Lifecycle and Development
ARM Holdings announced the Cortex-A72 on February 3, 2015. In the lineage of ARM microarchitectures, the Cortex-A72 occupies a central position:
*   **Predecessor:** It follows the ARM Cortex-A57, which also implemented the ARMv8-A 64-bit instruction set.
*   **Successor:** It was eventually succeeded by the ARM Cortex-A73, a further refinement of the 64-bit ARMv8 architecture.

### Distribution and Classification
The Cortex-A72 is categorized as a semiconductor intellectual property (IP) core. This means that ARM Holdings licenses the microarchitecture design to other semiconductor companies, who then integrate the core into their own hardware products and system-on-a-chip (SoC) designs. It is formally recognized as a "product model" within the class of computer processor microarchitectures.

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