Apple A16 Bionic | Apple M4 | |
CPU comparisonIn this CPU comparison, we compare the Apple A16 Bionic and the Apple M4 and use benchmarks to check which processor is faster.
We compare the Apple A16 Bionic 6 core processor released in Q3/2022 with the Apple M4 which has 9 CPU cores and was introduced in Q2/2024. |
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Apple A series (22) | Family | Apple M series (25) |
Apple A16 (1) | CPU group | Apple M4 (2) |
16 | Generation | 4 |
A16 | Architecture | M4 |
Mobile | Segment | Mobile |
Apple A15 Bionic (5-GPU) | Predecessor | Apple M3 |
Apple A17 Pro | Successor | -- |
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CPU Cores and Base FrequencyThe Apple A16 Bionic is a 6 core processor with a clock frequency of 3.46 GHz. The processor can compute 6 threads at the same time. The Apple M4 clocks with 0.70 GHz (4.41 GHz), has 9 CPU cores and can calculate 9 threads in parallel. |
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Apple A16 Bionic | Characteristic | Apple M4 |
6 | Cores | 9 |
6 | Threads | 9 |
hybrid (big.LITTLE) | Core architecture | hybrid (big.LITTLE) |
No | Hyperthreading | No |
No | Overclocking ? | No |
3.46 GHz 2x Everest |
A-Core | 0.70 GHz (4.41 GHz) 3x P-Core |
2.02 GHz 4x Sawtooth |
B-Core | 0.74 GHz (2.85 GHz) 6x 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 A16 Bionic | Characteristic | Apple M4 |
Apple Neural Engine | AI hardware | Apple Neural Engine |
16 Neural cores @ 17 TOPS | AI specifications | 16 Neural cores @ 38 TOPS |
-- | NPU + CPU + iGPU | -- |
Integrated graphics (iGPU)Graphics (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 A16 (5 GPU Cores) | GPU | Apple M4 (10 Core) |
1.34 GHz | GPU frequency | 0.39 GHz |
-- | GPU (Turbo) | 1.40 GHz |
13 | GPU Generation | -- |
4 nm | Technology | 3 nm |
3 | Max. displays | 2 |
20 | Compute units | 160 |
640 | 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 A16 (5 GPU Cores) | GPU | Apple M4 (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 1 memory channels is supported by the Apple A16 Bionic, while the Apple M4 supports a maximum of 8 GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of 120.0 GB/s enabled. |
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Apple A16 Bionic | Characteristic | Apple M4 |
LPDDR5-6400 | Memory | LPDDR5X-7500 |
6 GB | Max. Memory | 8 GB |
1 (Single Channel) | Memory channels | 2 (Dual Channel) |
51.2 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 120.0 GB/s |
No | ECC | No |
20.00 MB | L2 Cache | 18.00 MB |
24.00 MB | L3 Cache | -- |
-- | PCIe version | 4.0 |
-- | PCIe lanes | -- |
-- | PCIe Bandwidth | -- |
Thermal ManagementThe Apple A16 Bionic has a TDP of 7.25 W. The TDP of the Apple M4 is 22 W. System integrators use the TDP of the processor as a guide when dimensioning the cooling solution. |
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Apple A16 Bionic | Characteristic | Apple M4 |
7.25 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 22 W |
-- | TDP (PL2) | -- |
-- | TDP up | -- |
-- | TDP down | 15 W |
-- | Tjunction max. | 100 °C |
Technical detailsThe Apple A16 Bionic has 44.00 MB cache and is manufactured in 4 nm. The cache of Apple M4 is at 18.00 MB. The processor is manufactured in 3 nm. |
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Apple A16 Bionic | Characteristic | Apple M4 |
4 nm | Technology | 3 nm |
Chiplet | Chip design | Chiplet |
Armv8.6-A (64 bit) | Instruction set (ISA) | Armv9-A (64 bit) |
-- | ISA extensions | Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation, AVX2, SME |
-- | Socket | -- |
None | Virtualization | Apple Virtualization Framework |
No | AES-NI | Yes |
iOS | Operating systems | macOS, iPadOS |
Q3/2022 | Release date | Q2/2024 |
-- | Release price | -- |
show more data | show more data | |
Apple A16 Bionic
6C 6T @ 3.46 GHz |
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Apple M4
9C 9T @ 4.41 GHz |
Apple A16 Bionic
6C 6T @ 3.46 GHz |
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Apple M4
9C 9T @ 4.41 GHz |
Apple A16 Bionic
6C 6T @ 3.46 GHz |
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Apple M4
9C 9T @ 0.70 GHz |
Apple A16 Bionic
6C 6T @ 3.46 GHz |
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Apple M4
9C 9T @ 0.70 GHz |
Apple A16 Bionic
6C 6T @ 3.46 GHz |
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Apple M4
9C 9T @ 0.70 GHz |
Apple A16 Bionic
Apple A16 (5 GPU Cores) @ 1.34 GHz |
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Apple M4
Apple M4 (10 Core) @ 1.40 GHz |
Apple A16 Bionic
6C 6T @ 3.46 GHz |
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Apple M4
9C 9T @ 0.70 GHz |
Apple A16 Bionic
6C 6T @ 3.46 GHz |
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Apple M4
9C 9T @ 0.70 GHz |
Devices using this processor |
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Apple A16 Bionic | Apple M4 |
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max |
Apple iPad Pro 11 (2024) |