Apple M2 vs Apple A14 Bionic

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CPU comparison with benchmarks


Apple M2 CPU1 vs CPU2 Apple A14 Bionic
Apple M2 Apple A14 Bionic

CPU comparison

In this CPU comparison, we compare the Apple M2 and the Apple A14 Bionic and use benchmarks to check which processor is faster.

We compare the Apple M2 8 core processor released in Q2/2022 with the Apple A14 Bionic which has 6 CPU cores and was introduced in Q3/2020.
Apple M series (25) Family Apple A series (24)
Apple M2 (8) CPU group Apple A14 (1)
2 Generation 14
M2 Architecture A14 (Firestorm/Icestorm)
Notebook Segment Smartphone / Tablet
Apple M1 Predecessor Apple A13 Bionic
Apple M3 Successor Apple A15 Bionic (5-GPU)

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Apple M2 is a 8 core processor with a clock frequency of 0.66 GHz (3.50 GHz). The processor can compute 8 threads at the same time. The Apple A14 Bionic clocks with 3.00 GHz, has 6 CPU cores and can calculate 6 threads in parallel.

Apple M2 Characteristic Apple A14 Bionic
8 Cores 6
8 Threads 6
hybrid (big.LITTLE) Core architecture hybrid (big.LITTLE)
No Hyperthreading No
No Overclocking ? No
0.66 GHz (3.50 GHz)
4x Avalanche
A-Core 3.00 GHz
2x Firestorm
0.60 GHz (2.42 GHz)
4x Blizzard
B-Core 1.82 GHz
4x Icestorm

NPU AI performance

The 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.

Apple M2 Characteristic Apple A14 Bionic
Apple Neural Engine AI hardware Apple Neural Engine
16 Neural cores @ 15.8 TOPS AI specifications 16 Neural cores @ 11 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.

Apple M2 (10 Core) GPU Apple A14
0.45 GHz GPU frequency 1.46 GHz
1.40 GHz GPU (Turbo) --
2 GPU Generation 11
5 nm Technology 5 nm
2 Max. displays 3
160 Compute units 16
1280 Shader 256
No Hardware Raytracing No
No Frame Generation No
24 GB Max. GPU Memory 6 GB
-- DirectX Version --

Hardware codec support

A 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.

Apple M2 (10 Core) GPU Apple A14
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 & PCIe

Up to 24 GB of memory in a maximum of 2 memory channels is supported by the Apple M2, while the Apple A14 Bionic supports a maximum of 6 GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s enabled.

Apple M2 Characteristic Apple A14 Bionic
LPDDR5-6400 Memory LPDDR4X-4266
24 GB Max. Memory 6 GB
2 (Dual Channel) Memory channels 1 (Single Channel)
102.4 GB/s Max. Bandwidth 34.1 GB/s
No ECC No
20.00 MB L2 Cache 12.00 MB
-- L3 Cache 16.00 MB
4.0 PCIe version --
-- PCIe lanes --
-- PCIe Bandwidth --

Thermal Management

The Apple M2 has a TDP of 20 W. The TDP of the Apple A14 Bionic is 7.25 W. System integrators use the TDP of the processor as a guide when dimensioning the cooling solution.

Apple M2 Characteristic Apple A14 Bionic
20 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 7.25 W
-- TDP (PL2) --
30 W TDP up --
10 W TDP down --
100 °C Tjunction max. --

Technical details

The Apple M2 has 20.00 MB cache and is manufactured in 5 nm. The cache of Apple A14 Bionic is at 28.00 MB. The processor is manufactured in 5 nm.

Apple M2 Characteristic Apple A14 Bionic
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, iPadOS Operating systems iOS
Q2/2022 Release date Q3/2020
-- Release price --
show more data show more data


Rate these processors

Here you can rate the Apple M2 to help other visitors make their purchasing decisions. The average rating is 4.5 stars (444 ratings). Rate now:
Here you can rate the Apple A14 Bionic to help other visitors make their purchasing decisions. The average rating is 4.0 stars (128 ratings). Rate now:

Average performance in benchmarks

Single core performance in 2 CPU benchmarks
Apple M2 (100%)
Apple A14 Bionic (83%)
Multi core performance in 3 CPU benchmarks
Apple M2 (100%)
Apple A14 Bionic (50%)

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Geekbench 6 is a partial load benchmark for modern computers, notebooks and smartphones. In the single-core test, only the fastest CPU core is measured. The test run simulates the performance in practice.
Apple M2 Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz
2596 (100%)
Apple A14 Bionic Apple A14 Bionic
6C 6T @ 3.00 GHz
2072 (80%)

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

The practical Geekbench 6 multi-core benchmark tests the system's performance under partial load. The processor's maximum power consumption is far from being used up.
Apple M2 Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz
10062 (100%)
Apple A14 Bionic Apple A14 Bionic
6C 6T @ 3.00 GHz
4689 (47%)

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Geekbench 5 is a cross plattform benchmark that heavily uses the systems memory. A fast memory will push the result a lot. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.
Apple M2 Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz
1874 (100%)
Apple A14 Bionic Apple A14 Bionic
6C 6T @ 3.00 GHz
1590 (85%)

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Geekbench 5 is a cross plattform benchmark that heavily uses the systems memory. A fast memory will push the result a lot. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.
Apple M2 Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz
8853 (100%)
Apple A14 Bionic Apple A14 Bionic
6C 6T @ 3.00 GHz
4247 (48%)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

The theoretical computing performance of the internal graphics unit of the processor with simple accuracy (32 bit) in GFLOPS. GFLOPS indicates how many billion floating point operations the iGPU can perform per second.
Apple M2 Apple M2
Apple M2 (10 Core) @ 1.40 GHz
3550 (100%)
Apple A14 Bionic Apple A14 Bionic
Apple A14 @ 1.46 GHz
749 (21%)

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

Some of the CPUs listed below have been benchmarked by CPU-monkey. However the majority of CPUs have not been tested and the results have been estimated by a CPU-monkey’s secret proprietary formula. As such they do not accurately reflect the actual Passmark CPU mark values and are not endorsed by PassMark Software Pty Ltd.
Apple M2 Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz
15472 (100%)
Apple A14 Bionic Apple A14 Bionic
6C 6T @ 3.00 GHz
8514 (55%)

AI performance (NPU)

The performance values of the processor's AI unit. The isolated NPU performance is given here, the total AI performance (NPU+CPU+iGPU) can be higher.

Processors 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. The performance is given in the number (trillions) of arithmetic operations per second (TOPS).
Apple M2 Apple M2
8C 8T @ 0.66 GHz
15.8 (100%)
Apple A14 Bionic Apple A14 Bionic
6C 6T @ 3.00 GHz
11 (70%)

Cinebench 2024 (Single-Core)

The Cinebench 2024 benchmark is based on the Redshift rendering engine, which is also used in Maxon's 3D program Cinema 4D. The benchmark runs are each 10 minutes long to test whether the processor is limited by its heat generation.
Apple M2 Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz
120 (100%)
Apple A14 Bionic Apple A14 Bionic
6C 6T @ 3.00 GHz
0 (0%)

Cinebench 2024 (Multi-Core)

The Multi-Core test of the Cinebench 2024 benchmark uses all cpu cores to render using the Redshift rendering engine, which is also used in Maxons Cinema 4D. The benchmark run is 10 minutes long to test whether the processor is limited by its heat generation.
Apple M2 Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz
555 (100%)
Apple A14 Bionic Apple A14 Bionic
6C 6T @ 3.00 GHz
0 (0%)

Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)

Cinebench R23 is the successor of Cinebench R20 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.
Apple M2 Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz
1592 (100%)
Apple A14 Bionic Apple A14 Bionic
6C 6T @ 3.00 GHz
0 (0%)

Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)

Cinebench R23 is the successor of Cinebench R20 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.
Apple M2 Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz
8558 (100%)
Apple A14 Bionic Apple A14 Bionic
6C 6T @ 3.00 GHz
0 (0%)

AnTuTu 9 Benchmark

The AnTuTu 9 benchmark is very well suited to measuring the performance of a smartphone. AnTuTu 9 is quite heavy on 3D graphics and can now also use the "Metal" graphics interface. In AnTuTu, memory and UX (user experience) are also tested by simulating browser and app usage. AnTuTu version 9 can compare any ARM CPU running on Android or iOS. Devices may not be directly comparable when benchmarked on different operating systems.

In the AnTuTu 9 benchmark, the single-core performance of a processor is only slightly weighted. The rating is made up of the multi-core performance of the processor, the speed of the working memory, and the performance of the internal graphics.
Apple M2 Apple M2
8C 8T @ 0.66 GHz
0 (0%)
Apple A14 Bionic Apple A14 Bionic
6C 6T @ 3.00 GHz
729968 (100%)

AnTuTu 8 Benchmark

The AnTuTu 8 Benchmark measures the performance of a SoC. AnTuTu benchmarks the CPU, GPU, Memory as well as the UX (User Experience) by simulating browser and app usage. AnTuTu can benchmark any ARM CPU that runs under Android or iOS. Devices may not be directly compareable if the benchmark has been performed under different operating systems.

In the AnTuTu 8 benchmark, the single-core performance of a processor is only slightly weighted. The evaluation consists of the multi-core performance of the processor, the speed of the RAM and the performance of the internal graphics.
Apple M2 Apple M2
8C 8T @ 0.66 GHz
0 (0%)
Apple A14 Bionic Apple A14 Bionic
6C 6T @ 3.00 GHz
628047 (100%)

Blender 2.81 (bmw27)

Blender is a free 3D graphics software for rendering (creating) 3D bodies, which can also be textured and animated in the software. The Blender benchmark creates predefined scenes and measures the time (s) required for the entire scene. The shorter the time required, the better. We selected bmw27 as the benchmark scene.
Apple M2 Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz
277 (100%)
Apple A14 Bionic Apple A14 Bionic
6C 6T @ 3.00 GHz
0 (0%)

CPU performance per watt (efficiency)

Efficiency of the processor under full load in the Cinebench R23 (multi-core) benchmark. The benchmark result is divided by the average energy required (CPU package power in watts). The higher the value, the more efficient the CPU is under full load.
Apple M2 Apple M2
8,558 CB R23 MC @ 20 W
428 (100%)
Apple A14 Bionic Apple A14 Bionic
3.00 GHz
0 (0%)

Devices using this processor

Apple M2 Apple A14 Bionic
Apple MacBook Air 14 (2022)
Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022)
Apple iPhone 12 mini
Apple iPhone 12
Apple iPhone 12 Pro
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
Apple iPad Air (4. Gen)

News and articles for the Apple M2 and the Apple A14 Bionic

Most popular processors in the first half of 2022
Most popular processors in the first half of 2022
Posted by Stefan on 2022-07-05
In the past we had repeatedly written about our most popular processors. Since this format was quiet popular, I would like to continue this today and introduce you the most popular processors in the first half of 2022.

With more than 2 million page views per month, CPU-Monkey is one of the biggest comparison sites for processors and is currently available in 16 languages.
Apple M2 Pro with more CPU cores and production in 3 nm ?
Apple M2 Pro with more CPU cores and production in 3 nm ?
Posted by Stefan on 2022-06-28
After Apple surprisingly presented the normal Apple M2 processor as the first successor to the Apple M1 already in June 2022, the Apple M2 Pro and the Apple M2 Max may follow in autumn. The difference in performance compared to the basic version could be even greater this time and range from 25 to 40 percent.

In this article we describe how Apple could realize this and why the price should also go up.
Apple M2 vs Apple M1 - What are the differences?
Apple M2 vs Apple M1 - What are the differences?
Posted by Stefan on 2022-06-09
During WWDC 2022 on June 6th, 2022 Apple surprisingly presented its new Apple M2 processor. This will initially be installed in a completely revised Apple MacBook Air with 13.6 inches, a even thinner form factor and new colors. Apple also updated the already known (old) Apple MacBook Pro 13.3 with touch bar.

Many leakers had counted on Apple not presenting its new second-generation M processor until the fall. But things turned out differently. And there is very likely a reason for that: the improvements in the Apple M2 are limited compared to the predecessor.

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