Apple A15 Bionic (5-GPU) vs Apple M4

The Apple A15 Bionic (5-GPU), introduced in late 2021, is an SoC (System on a Chip) primarily developed for iPhones and iPads to ensure high performance coupled with high energy efficiency for mobile applications.

Manufactured using the 5 nm process, its CPU typically comprises two high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores. In benchmarks, it shows solid single-core and multi-core performance for everyday tasks. Its Apple A15 (5 GPU Cores) graphics unit with 34 GB/s memory bandwidth offers good performance for mobile gaming.

The design is optimized for low power consumption and heat generation, ideal for fanless devices in the mid-range price segment. The Apple M4, introduced in mid-2024, is an advanced SoC for high-performance mobile devices such as the iPad Pro, focusing on peak performance and advanced AI capabilities.

It is manufactured using the state-of-the-art 3 nm process and features a CPU typically with four performance cores and six efficiency cores. The computing power of the Apple M4 significantly surpasses the A15 Bionic in single-core and multi-core scenarios. Its Apple M4 (10 Core) graphics unit, supported by a memory bandwidth of 120 GB/s, delivers superior gaming performance.

Despite significantly higher performance, energy efficiency remains high, but it may require more robust cooling under peak loads. It is found in premium-class devices.