Hartley Charlton
Apple today announced the first M4 Mac model, but how much better is the M4 chip than its predecessor?
The M4 chip debuted in the iPad Pro earlier this year, promising around 20% faster performance than the M3 chip in both single- and multi-core tasks. All the key differences between the two generations of chips are listed below:
| M3 chip (2023–2024) | M4 chip (2024) |
|---|---|
| Manufactured using TSMC's 3nm (N3) technology | Manufactured using TSMC's enhanced 3nm technology technology (N3E) |
| Based on the A17 Pro chip from the iPhone 15 Pro (2023) | Based on the A18 chip from the iPhone 16 (2024) |
| 25 billion transistors | 28 billion transistors (+12%) |
| 8-core processor (4 performance cores + 4 efficiency cores) |
Up to 10 CPU cores (4 performance cores + 6 efficiency cores) |
| 4.05 GHz CPU clock speed | 4.3 GHz CPU clock speed |
| 16-core Neural Engine, 18 trillion operations per second | 16-core Neural Engine, 38 trillion operations per second (+111%) |
| LPDDR5 memory | LPDDR5X memory |
| 100 GB/s memory bandwidth | 120 GB/s memory bandwidth (+20%) |
| Dedicated display engine | |
| Standard power efficiency GPU | More power efficient GPU: maintains performance while consuming significantly less power |
Most of these updates, with the exception of core count and memory bandwidth, apply to the entire selection of M3 and M4 chips. Using Geekbench benchmarks, we can get an approximate performance boost we can expect from the M4 chip:
| Benchmark Type | M3 Chip Performance | M4 Chip Performance (Improved) |
|---|---|---|
| Single-Core CPU | 3088 | 3864 (+25.1%) |
| Multi-Core CPU | 11711 | 15288 (+30.5%) |
| Metal GPU | 47466 | 57603 (+21.4%) |
While the M4 chip has noticeable improvements over the M3, such as increased CPU and GPU performance and improved efficiency, the practical differences for users upgrading from an M3 system may not be as dramatic as the specs suggest. The M3 chip already delivers impressive performance and efficiency, making it a formidable contender in its own right.
The 25.1% improvement in single-core performance and 30.5% improvement in multi-core performance highlight the technical advances, but for many users, especially those already equipped with M3-powered devices, the day-to-day experience likely won’t feel like a huge difference. Tasks that benefit from single-core speed, like launching apps and light productivity work, will run faster, but for those accustomed to the M3’s capabilities, the difference may not make a significant difference to their workflow.
Similarly, the 21.4% increase in GPU performance means better graphics rendering and gaming experiences, but users who enjoyed the M3’s performance may find that these improvements are less noticeable in routine tasks. The improvements in gaming and creative apps will benefit users who do a lot of graphics-intensive work, but those using the M3 may not feel compelled to upgrade solely for these reasons.
The 111% increase in the Neural Engine is a standout statistic, highlighting the chip’s impressive AI capabilities and advanced machine learning capabilities. However, for many users, especially those with less demanding requirements, the difference may not justify the upgrade, especially since both the M3 and M4 chips support Apple Intelligence. That said, the M4’s significantly improved Neural Engine makes it more likely to support and effectively run new Apple Intelligence and AI features as they emerge over the years.
In terms of memory bandwidth, the 20% increase allows for faster data transfer, which is beneficial for data-intensive apps. However, again, for users already using the M3, this improvement may not result in a dramatic change in performance.
Ultimately, while the M4 chip certainly pushes the boundaries of Apple’s silicon, it may not represent a radical change for those already using the M3. Instead, the M4 is likely aimed at users looking to upgrade from M1 chips or older Intel systems, where the performance jump is much more pronounced.
For existing M3 users, the decision to upgrade may depend more on specific needs and applications than on general expectations for a performance boost. For example, users of the M3 Max chip who push their system to the limit with high-intensity tasks may have compelling reasons to upgrade. Likewise, if your current M3 or M3 Pro system doesn't seem sufficient for your workflow, you might want to consider upgrading to an “M4 Pro” or “M4 Max” device when they become available, but those upgrade paths will be unusual.
Related Reviews: iMac , MacBook Pro , Mac miniTags: Apple Silicon Guide , M3 , M4 , M4 iMac , M4 Mac mini Guide , M4 MacsBuyer's Guide: iMac (Buy Now), 14″ and 16″ MacBook Pro (Don't Buy), Mac Mini (Don't Buy)Related Forums: iMac , MacBook Pro , Mac mini53 comments
