Apple A9 vs Apple M4

The Apple A9, introduced in 2015, was a mobile processor for the iPhone 6s and iPad Mini 4, designed for the high-end smartphone market at the time.

It was manufactured using a 16 nm process and featured a dual-core CPU with 3 MB L2 cache and 4 MB L3 cache. Its maximum memory bandwidth was 26 GB/s. The Apple A9 offered solid performance for everyday tasks and moderately demanding applications. Its processing power is basic compared to today's standards.

The Apple M4, unveiled in 2024, is a state-of-the-art chip for Apple's premium tablets like the iPad Pro, designed for the highest mobile computing performance.

Manufactured using the advanced 3 nm process, it integrates a powerful multi-core CPU with 20 MB L2 cache and an Apple M4 (10 Core) graphics unit. Its maximum memory bandwidth is 120 GB/s. The Apple M4 offers enormously increased single-core and multi-core performance, qualifying it for professional applications, demanding gaming, and AI tasks.

In terms of overall performance, the Apple M4 significantly surpasses the Apple A9. The integrated Apple M4 (10 Core) graphics unit enables superior performance for modern games, while the A9 is only suitable for simple titles. Thanks to the 3 nm manufacturing process, the Apple M4 is significantly more energy-efficient per computing unit.

Both processors are not available separately. The A9 is found in older, more affordable devices. The M4 is part of Apple's latest high-end tablets. For maximum performance, the Apple M4 is the clear choice; for basic tasks on a budget, the Apple A9 remains an option.