Apple A12Z Bionic | Apple M3 | |
CPU comparisonIn this CPU comparison, we compare the Apple A12Z Bionic and the Apple M3 and use benchmarks to check which processor is faster.
We compare the Apple A12Z Bionic 8 core processor released in Q1/2020 with the Apple M3 which has 8 CPU cores and was introduced in Q4/2023. |
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Apple A series (22) | Family | Apple M series (25) |
Apple A12/A12X/A12Z (3) | CPU group | Apple M3 (6) |
12 | Generation | 3 |
A12 | Architecture | M3 |
Mobile | Segment | Mobile |
Apple A10X Fusion | Predecessor | Apple M2 |
-- | Successor | Apple M4 |
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CPU Cores and Base FrequencyThe Apple A12Z Bionic is a 8 core processor with a clock frequency of 2.49 GHz. The processor can compute 8 threads at the same time. The Apple M3 clocks with 0.70 GHz (4.06 GHz), has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel. |
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Apple A12Z Bionic | Characteristic | Apple M3 |
8 | Cores | 8 |
8 | Threads | 8 |
hybrid (big.LITTLE) | Core architecture | hybrid (big.LITTLE) |
No | Hyperthreading | No |
No | Overclocking ? | No |
2.49 GHz 4x Vortex |
A-Core | 0.70 GHz (4.06 GHz) 4x P-Core |
1.59 GHz 4x Tempest |
B-Core | 0.74 GHz (2.75 GHz) 4x E-Core |
Artificial Intelligence and Machine LearningProcessors with the support of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors. Algorithms for ML improve their performance the more data they have collected via software. ML tasks can be processed up to 10,000 times faster than with a classic processor. |
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Apple A12Z Bionic | Characteristic | Apple M3 |
Apple Neural Engine | AI hardware | Apple Neural Engine |
8 Neural cores @ 5 TOPS | AI specifications | 16 Neural cores @ 35 TOPS |
Internal GraphicsGraphics (iGPU) integrated into the processor not only enable image output without having to rely on a dedicated graphics solution, but can also efficiently accelerate video playback. |
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Apple A12Z | GPU | Apple M3 (10 Core) |
1.13 GHz | GPU frequency | 0.39 GHz |
-- | GPU (Turbo) | 1.40 GHz |
9 | GPU Generation | 3 |
7 nm | Technology | 3 nm |
1 | Max. displays | 2 |
32 | Compute units | 160 |
512 | Shader | 1280 |
No | Hardware Raytracing | Yes |
No | Frame Generation | No |
6 GB | Max. GPU Memory | 24 GB |
-- | DirectX Version | -- |
Hardware codec supportA photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos. |
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Apple A12Z | GPU | Apple M3 (10 Core) |
Decode / Encode | Codec h265 / HEVC (8 bit) | Decode / Encode |
Decode / Encode | Codec h265 / HEVC (10 bit) | Decode / Encode |
Decode / Encode | Codec h264 | Decode / Encode |
Decode / Encode | Codec VP9 | Decode / Encode |
Decode / Encode | Codec VP8 | Decode |
No | Codec AV1 | Decode |
Decode | Codec AVC | Decode |
Decode | Codec VC-1 | Decode |
Decode / Encode | Codec JPEG | Decode / Encode |
Memory & PCIeUp to 6 GB of memory in a maximum of 2 memory channels is supported by the Apple A12Z Bionic, while the Apple M3 supports a maximum of 24 GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s enabled. |
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Apple A12Z Bionic | Characteristic | Apple M3 |
LPDDR4X-4266 | Memory | LPDDR5-6400 |
6 GB | Max. Memory | 24 GB |
2 (Dual Channel) | Memory channels | 2 (Dual Channel) |
68.2 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 102.4 GB/s |
No | ECC | No |
8.00 MB | L2 Cache | 20.00 MB |
-- | L3 Cache | -- |
-- | PCIe version | 4.0 |
-- | PCIe lanes | -- |
-- | PCIe Bandwidth | -- |
Thermal ManagementThe Apple A12Z Bionic has a TDP of 15 W. The TDP of the Apple M3 is 22 W. System integrators use the TDP of the processor as a guide when dimensioning the cooling solution. |
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Apple A12Z Bionic | Characteristic | Apple M3 |
15 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 22 W |
-- | TDP (PL2) | -- |
-- | TDP up | -- |
-- | TDP down | 15 W |
-- | Tjunction max. | 100 °C |
Technical detailsThe Apple A12Z Bionic has 8.00 MB cache and is manufactured in 7 nm. The cache of Apple M3 is at 20.00 MB. The processor is manufactured in 3 nm. |
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Apple A12Z Bionic | Characteristic | Apple M3 |
7 nm | Technology | 3 nm |
Chiplet | Chip design | Chiplet |
Armv8-A (64 bit) | Instruction set (ISA) | Armv8-A (64 bit) |
-- | ISA extensions | Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation |
-- | Socket | -- |
None | Virtualization | Apple Virtualization Framework |
No | AES-NI | Yes |
iOS | Operating systems | macOS, iPadOS |
Q1/2020 | Release date | Q4/2023 |
-- | Release price | -- |
show more data | show more data | |
Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
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Apple M3
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
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Apple M3
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
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Apple M3
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
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Apple M3
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
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Apple M3
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
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Apple M3
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
Apple A12Z Bionic
Apple A12Z @ 1.13 GHz |
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Apple M3
Apple M3 (10 Core) @ 1.40 GHz |
Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
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Apple M3
8C 8T @ 0.70 GHz |
Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
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Apple M3
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
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Apple M3
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
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Apple M3
8C 8T @ 0.70 GHz |
Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
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Apple M3
8C 8T @ 0.70 GHz |
Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
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Apple M3
8C 8T @ 4.06 GHz |
Apple A12Z Bionic
2.49 GHz |
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Apple M3
10,437 CB R23 MC @ 22 W |
Devices using this processor |
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Apple A12Z Bionic | Apple M3 |
Apple iPad Pro 2020 | Apple iMac 24 (2023) |