Apple A18 Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
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Apple A18 vs Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)

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The Apple A18 was developed based on the Donan architecture and manufactured using the 3-nanometer process.

This processor is aimed at users who value high efficiency in compact systems. The Apple A18 features a Level 2 cache of 20 MB and a Level 3 cache of 24 MB, which supports fast data access. In terms of computing power, the unit delivers solid single-core performance, while the multi-core performance is optimized for common applications.

The integrated graphics with 5 cores handle standard graphical tasks without difficulty. Thanks to the low thermal design power, the Apple A18 does not require elaborate cooling, which keeps energy consumption low. For users looking for a balanced ratio between cost and everyday usability, this processor represents a sensible choice.

The Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU) is based on the M5 architecture and is also manufactured using the 3-nanometer process.

This processor is designed for professional workflows and demanding calculations. With 18 computing cores, it achieves results in both single-core and multi-core performance that exceed the Apple A18 by far more than ten percent. The enormous memory bandwidth of 614 GB/s, combined with the Apple M5 Max (32-core) graphics unit, ensures excellent AI performance.

In gaming scenarios, the variant with 32 graphics cores offers significantly higher frame rates and more detailed rendering. Power consumption is higher due to the high number of cores, but remains efficient in relation to the computing capacity. The Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU) is recommended for maximum requirements in professional data processing.

Apple A18

  • Donan architecture
  • 3-nanometer manufacturing
  • 60 GB/s memory bandwidth
  • Low thermal design power

Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)

  • M5 architecture
  • 614 GB/s memory bandwidth
  • Excellent AI performance
  • 32 graphics cores

Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks

Single-core performance
Rank 2 - 80 %
Apple A18
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
Multi-core performance
Rank 2 - 29 %
Apple A18
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
Geekbench 6 Single-Core

Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple A18
Apple A18 80 %
6C / 6T · 4.04 GHz
3,384
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
18C / 18T · 4.61 GHz
4,250
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core

Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple A18
Apple A18 29 %
6C / 6T · 4.04 GHz
8,430
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
18C / 18T · 0.91 GHz
29,200
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

Apple A18
Apple A18 13 %
Apple A18 (5 GPU Cores)
2,150
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
Apple M5 Max (32 Core)
16,426

More benchmarks

At a glance

Wischen
Apple A18Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
FamilyApple A series (27)Apple M series (38)
CPU groupApple A18 (2)Apple M5 (6)
ArchitectureDonanM5
Technology3 nm3 nm
SegmentSmartphone / TabletNotebook
Socket
PredecessorApple A16 BionicApple M4 Max (14-CPU 32-GPU)
SuccessorApple A19

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

Wischen
Apple A18Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
CPU Cores / Threads6 / 618 / 18
Hyperthreading / SMT
Core architecturehybrid (big.LITTLE)hybrid (big.LITTLE)
Core Cluster 1: 2x Donan P-Core
0.70 - 4.04 GHz
6x Super-Core
0.91 - 4.61 GHz
Core Cluster 2: 4x Donan E-Core
0.74 - 2.30 GHz
12x Performance-Core
0.90 - 3.05 GHz
L2-Cache20.00 MB22.00 MB
L3-Cache24.00 MB
Overclocking

Integrated graphics (iGPU)

Wischen
Apple A18Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
GPU nameApple A18 (5 GPU Cores)Apple M5 Max (32 Core)
GPU frequency0.39 - 1.68 GHz0.34 - 1.90 GHz
CUs / Shader20 / 640512 / 4096
Raytracing
Max. displays14
Max. GPU Memory8 GB36 GB
Technology3 nm3 nm
Release dateQ3/2024Q1/2026

NPU AI performance

Wischen
Apple A18Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
AI hardwareApple Neural EngineApple Neural Engine
AI specifications16 Neural cores @ 38 TOPS16 Neural cores @ 60 TOPS
NPU + CPU + iGPU

Memory & PCIe

Wischen
Apple A18Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
MemoryLPDDR5X-7500 (60.0 GB/s)
LPDDR5X-9600 (614.4 GB/s)
Max. Memory8 GB36 GB
Memory channels18
ECCNoNo
PCIe5.0 x 8
PCIe Bandwidth31.5 GB/s

Thermal Management

Wischen
Apple A18Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
TDP12 W60 W
TDP (PL2)
TDP up
TDP down
T. junction max.100 °C

Technical details

Wischen
Apple A18Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
Chip designChipletMonolithic
AES-NI
Operating systemsiOSmacOS, iPadOS
Instruction setArmv9-A (64 bit)Armv9.2-A (64 bit)
ISA extensionsRosetta 2 x86-Emulation, AVX2, SME
Release dateQ3/2024Q1/2026
Release price
Documents

Your rating

Here you can rate one or both of the processors. The average rating of Apple A18 is 4.1 stars (220 ratings), while Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU) has received 5.0 stars (84 ratings).

Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.

Apple A18
Apple A18
6C / 6T · 0.70 - 4.04 GHz
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
Apple M5 Max (18-CPU 32-GPU)
18C / 18T · 0.91 - 4.61 GHz

Most popular CPUs in both categories

Apple A18
Apple A18
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