Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) | Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) | |
CPU comparisonApple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) or Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) - which processor is faster? In this comparison we look at the differences and analyze which of these two CPUs is better. We compare the technical data and benchmark results.
The Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) has 6 cores with 6 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 3.23 GHz. Up to 6 GB of memory is supported in 1 memory channels. The Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) was released in Q3/2021. The Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) has 16 cores with 16 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 4.06 GHz. The CPU supports up to 128 GB of memory in 4 memory channels. The Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) was released in Q4/2023. |
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Apple A series (22) | Family | Apple M series (25) |
Apple A15 (2) | CPU group | Apple M3 (6) |
15 | Generation | 3 |
A15 | Architecture | M3 |
Mobile | Segment | Mobile |
-- | Predecessor | Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) |
-- | Successor | -- |
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CPU Cores and Base FrequencyThe Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) is a 6 core processor with a clock frequency of 3.23 GHz. The Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) has 16 CPU cores with a clock frequency of 0.70 GHz (4.06 GHz). |
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Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) | Characteristic | Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) |
6 | Cores | 16 |
6 | Threads | 16 |
hybrid (big.LITTLE) | Core architecture | hybrid (big.LITTLE) |
No | Hyperthreading | No |
No | Overclocking ? | No |
3.23 GHz 2x Avalanche |
A-Core | 0.70 GHz (4.06 GHz) 12x P-Core |
2.02 GHz 4x Blizzard |
B-Core | 0.74 GHz (2.75 GHz) 4x E-Core |
NPU AI performanceThe performance values of the processor's AI unit. The isolated NPU performance is specified here, the total AI performance (NPU+CPU+iGPU) can be higher. Processors with support for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors. |
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Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) | Characteristic | Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) |
Apple Neural Engine | AI hardware | Apple Neural Engine |
16 Neural cores @ 15.8 TOPS | AI specifications | 16 Neural cores @ 35 TOPS |
-- | NPU + CPU + iGPU | -- |
Integrated graphics (iGPU)The integrated graphics unit of a processor is not only responsible for the pure image output on the system, but can also significantly increase the efficiency of the system with the support of modern video codecs. |
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Apple A15 (4 GPU Cores) | GPU | Apple M3 Max (40 Core) |
1.34 GHz | GPU frequency | 0.39 GHz |
-- | GPU (Turbo) | 1.40 GHz |
12 | GPU Generation | -- |
5 nm | Technology | 3 nm |
3 | Max. displays | 5 |
16 | Compute units | 640 |
512 | Shader | 5120 |
No | Hardware Raytracing | Yes |
No | Frame Generation | No |
6 GB | Max. GPU Memory | 128 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 A15 (4 GPU Cores) | GPU | Apple M3 Max (40 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 & PCIeThe Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) supports a maximum of 6 GB of memory in 1 memory channels. The Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) can connect up to 128 GB of memory in 4 memory channels. |
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Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) | Characteristic | Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) |
LPDDR4X-4266 | Memory | LPDDR5-6400 |
6 GB | Max. Memory | 128 GB |
1 (Single Channel) | Memory channels | 4 (Quad Channel) |
34.1 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 409.6 GB/s |
No | ECC | No |
16.00 MB | L2 Cache | 36.00 MB |
32.00 MB | L3 Cache | -- |
-- | PCIe version | 4.0 |
-- | PCIe lanes | -- |
-- | PCIe Bandwidth | -- |
Thermal ManagementThe TDP (Thermal Design Power) of a processor specifies the required cooling solution. The Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) has a TDP of 7.25 W, that of the Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) is 57 W. |
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Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) | Characteristic | Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) |
7.25 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 57 W |
-- | TDP (PL2) | -- |
-- | TDP up | -- |
-- | TDP down | -- |
-- | Tjunction max. | 100 °C |
Technical detailsThe Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) has a 48.00 MB cache, while the Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) cache has a total of 36.00 MB. |
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Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) | Characteristic | Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) |
5 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 |
Q3/2021 | Release date | Q4/2023 |
-- | Release price | -- |
show more data | show more data | |
Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
6C 6T @ 3.23 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz |
Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
6C 6T @ 3.23 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 3.60 GHz |
Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
6C 6T @ 3.23 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz |
Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
6C 6T @ 3.23 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 3.60 GHz |
Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
Apple A15 (4 GPU Cores) @ 1.34 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
Apple M3 Max (40 Core) @ 1.40 GHz |
Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
6C 6T @ 3.23 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 0.70 GHz |
Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
6C 6T @ 3.23 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz |
Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
6C 6T @ 3.23 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz |
Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
6C 6T @ 3.23 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz |
Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
6C 6T @ 3.23 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 3.60 GHz |
Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
6C 6T @ 3.23 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz |
Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
6C 6T @ 3.23 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 3.60 GHz |
Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
6C 6T @ 3.23 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 0.70 GHz |
Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
6C 6T @ 3.23 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz |
Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
6C 6T @ 3.23 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 3.60 GHz |
Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
3.23 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
24,028 CB R23 MC @ 57 W |
Devices using this processor |
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Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) | Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) |
Apple iPhone 13 mini Apple iPhone 13 |
Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) |