Apple M1 | Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) | |
CPU comparisonIn this CPU comparison, we compare the Apple M1 and the Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) and use benchmarks to check which processor is faster.
We compare the Apple M1 8 core processor released in Q4/2020 with the Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) which has 6 CPU cores and was introduced in Q3/2021. |
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Apple M series (23) | Family | Apple A series (22) |
Apple M1 (9) | CPU group | Apple A15 (2) |
1 | Generation | 15 |
M1 | Architecture | A15 |
Mobile | Segment | Mobile |
-- | Predecessor | -- |
Apple M2 | Successor | -- |
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CPU Cores and Base FrequencyThe Apple M1 is a 8 core processor with a clock frequency of 0.60 GHz (3.20 GHz). The processor can compute 8 threads at the same time. The Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) clocks with 3.23 GHz, has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 6 threads in parallel. |
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Apple M1 | Characteristic | Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) |
8 | Cores | 6 |
8 | Threads | 6 |
hybrid (big.LITTLE) | Core architecture | hybrid (big.LITTLE) |
No | Hyperthreading | No |
No | Overclocking ? | No |
0.60 GHz (3.20 GHz) 4x Firestorm |
A-Core | 3.23 GHz 2x Avalanche |
0.60 GHz (2.06 GHz) 4x Icestorm |
B-Core | 2.02 GHz 4x Blizzard |
Artificial Intelligence and Machine LearningProcessors with the support of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors. Algorithms for ML improve their performance the more data they have collected via software. ML tasks can be processed up to 10,000 times faster than with a classic processor. |
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Apple M1 | Characteristic | Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) |
Apple Neural Engine | AI hardware | Apple Neural Engine |
16 Neural cores @ 11 TOPS | AI specifications | 16 Neural cores @ 15.8 TOPS |
Internal GraphicsGraphics (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 M1 (8 Core) | GPU | Apple A15 (4 GPU Cores) |
0.39 GHz | GPU frequency | 1.34 GHz |
1.30 GHz | GPU (Turbo) | -- |
1 | GPU Generation | 12 |
5 nm | Technology | 5 nm |
2 | Max. displays | 3 |
128 | Compute units | 16 |
1024 | Shader | 512 |
No | Hardware Raytracing | No |
No | Frame Generation | No |
8 GB | Max. GPU Memory | 6 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 M1 (8 Core) | GPU | Apple A15 (4 GPU Cores) |
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 | Codec VP8 | Decode / Encode |
No | Codec AV1 | No |
Decode | Codec AVC | Decode |
Decode | Codec VC-1 | Decode |
Decode / Encode | Codec JPEG | Decode / Encode |
Memory & PCIeUp to 16 GB of memory in a maximum of 2 memory channels is supported by the Apple M1, while the Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) supports a maximum of 6 GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s enabled. |
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Apple M1 | Characteristic | Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) |
LPDDR4X-4266 | Memory | LPDDR4X-4266 |
16 GB | Max. Memory | 6 GB |
2 (Dual Channel) | Memory channels | 1 (Single Channel) |
68.2 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 34.1 GB/s |
No | ECC | No |
16.00 MB | L2 Cache | 16.00 MB |
-- | L3 Cache | 32.00 MB |
4.0 | PCIe version | -- |
-- | PCIe lanes | -- |
-- | PCIe Bandwidth | -- |
Thermal ManagementThe Apple M1 has a TDP of 18 W. The TDP of the Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) is 7.25 W. System integrators use the TDP of the processor as a guide when dimensioning the cooling solution. |
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Apple M1 | Characteristic | Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) |
18 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 7.25 W |
-- | TDP (PL2) | -- |
20 W | TDP up | -- |
10 W | TDP down | -- |
-- | Tjunction max. | -- |
Technical detailsThe Apple M1 has 16.00 MB cache and is manufactured in 5 nm. The cache of Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) is at 48.00 MB. The processor is manufactured in 5 nm. |
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Apple M1 | Characteristic | Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) |
5 nm | Technology | 5 nm |
Chiplet | Chip design | Chiplet |
Armv8.5-A (64 bit) | Instruction set (ISA) | Armv8-A (64 bit) |
Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation | ISA extensions | -- |
-- | Socket | -- |
Apple Virtualization Framework | Virtualization | None |
Yes | AES-NI | No |
macOS | Operating systems | iOS |
Q4/2020 | Release date | Q3/2021 |
-- | Release price | -- |
show more data | show more data | |
Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
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Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
6C 6T @ 3.23 GHz |
Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
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Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
6C 6T @ 3.23 GHz |
Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
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Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
6C 6T @ 3.23 GHz |
Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
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Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
6C 6T @ 3.23 GHz |
Apple M1
Apple M1 (8 Core) @ 1.30 GHz |
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Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
Apple A15 (4 GPU Cores) @ 1.34 GHz |
Apple M1
8C 8T @ 0.60 GHz |
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Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
6C 6T @ 3.23 GHz |
Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
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Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
6C 6T @ 3.23 GHz |
Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
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Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
6C 6T @ 3.23 GHz |
Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
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Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
6C 6T @ 3.23 GHz |
Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
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Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
6C 6T @ 3.23 GHz |
Apple M1
8C 8T @ 0.60 GHz |
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Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
6C 6T @ 3.23 GHz |
Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
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Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
6C 6T @ 3.23 GHz |
Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
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Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
6C 6T @ 3.23 GHz |
Apple M1
8C 8T @ 3.20 GHz |
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Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
6C 6T @ 3.23 GHz |
Apple M1
7,759 CB R23 MC @ 18 W |
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Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU)
3.23 GHz |
Devices using this processor |
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Apple M1 | Apple A15 Bionic (4-GPU) |
Apple iMac 24 (2021) Apple MacBook Pro 13 (L2020) Apple MacBook Air (2020) Apple Mac mini (2020) Apple iPad Pro 11 (2021) Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) Apple iPad Air (2022) |
Apple iPhone 13 mini Apple iPhone 13 |