The Apple M1 and Apple M2 are System-on-a-Chip (SoC) processors that Apple developed for Macs and iPads.

They are aimed at users who want to combine high performance with excellent energy efficiency for a wide range of tasks. Both CPUs are manufactured using the 5-nanometer process. The Apple M1 combines an 8-core CPU with an 8-core GPU, 16 MB Level 2 Cache, and 68 GB/s memory bandwidth.

The Apple M2 also offers an 8-core CPU, but a stronger 10-core GPU, 20 MB Level 2 Cache, and 102 GB/s memory bandwidth for faster data processing. In terms of computing performance, the Apple M2 shows a significant increase in multi-core tasks compared to the Apple M1, while single-core performance is moderately higher.

For gaming scenarios, the Apple M2 offers better performance thanks to its stronger GPU and higher memory bandwidth. Both processors are known for their excellent energy efficiency, delivering high performance with low power consumption and minimized heat generation. The Apple M1 offers good value for money, is often more affordable, and ideal for everyday use as well as many creative applications.

The Apple M2, found in newer, more expensive devices, is recommended for users who need additional performance for demanding workflows such as complex video editing or more intensive gaming.

Apple M1

  • Good value for money
  • High energy efficiency
  • Suitable for everyday and many creative tasks
  • Integrated 8-core GPU

Apple M2

  • Significantly higher multi-core performance
  • Stronger 10-core GPU
  • Higher memory bandwidth (102 GB/s)
  • Better for demanding workflows and gaming

Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks

Single-core performance
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M2
Rank 2 - 93 %
Apple M1
Multi-core performance
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M2
Rank 2 - 90 %
Apple M1
Cinebench 2026 Single-Thread

Cinebench 2026 Single-Thread
Single-core performance

Apple M2
Apple M2 100 %
8C / 8T · 3.50 GHz
470 pts
Apple M1
Apple M1 89 %
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
419 pts
Cinebench 2026 Multi-Core

Cinebench 2026 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M2
Apple M2 100 %
8C / 8T · 3.50 GHz
2,316 pts
Apple M1
Apple M1 74 %
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
1,722 pts
Cinebench 2024 Single-Core

Cinebench 2024 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M2
Apple M2 100 %
8C / 8T · 3.50 GHz
120 pts
Apple M1
Apple M1 93 %
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
112 pts
Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core

Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M2
Apple M2 100 %
8C / 8T · 3.50 GHz
555 pts
Apple M1
Apple M1 92 %
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
509 pts
Cinebench R23 Single-Core

Cinebench R23 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M2
Apple M2 100 %
8C / 8T · 3.50 GHz
1,592 pts
Apple M1
Apple M1 94 %
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
1,503 pts
Cinebench R23 Multi-Core

Cinebench R23 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M2
Apple M2 100 %
8C / 8T · 3.50 GHz
8,558 pts
Apple M1
Apple M1 91 %
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
7,759 pts
Geekbench 6 Single-Core

Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M2
Apple M2 100 %
8C / 8T · 3.50 GHz
2,596
Apple M1
Apple M1 91 %
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
2,369
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core

Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M2
Apple M2 100 %
8C / 8T · 3.50 GHz
10,062
Apple M1
Apple M1 85 %
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
8,576
Geekbench 5, 64bit Single-Core

Geekbench 5, 64bit Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M2
Apple M2 100 %
8C / 8T · 3.50 GHz
1,874
Apple M1
Apple M1 93 %
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
1,742
Geekbench 5, 64bit Multi-Core

Geekbench 5, 64bit Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M2
Apple M2 100 %
8C / 8T · 3.50 GHz
8,853
Apple M1
Apple M1 86 %
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
7,650
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

Apple M2
Apple M2 100 %
Apple M2 (10 Core)
3,550
Apple M1
Apple M1 74 %
Apple M1 (8 Core)
2,610
Blender 2.81 (bmw27)

Blender 2.81 (bmw27)
Multi-core performance

Apple M2
Apple M2 88 %
8C / 8T · 3.50 GHz
277.0 s
Apple M1
Apple M1 100 %
8C / 8T · 3.20 GHz
314.0 s
AI performance (NPU)

AI performance (NPU)

Apple M2
Apple M2 100 %
8C / 8T · 0.66 GHz
15.8 TOPS
Apple M1
Apple M1 70 %
8C / 8T · 0.60 GHz
11.0 TOPS

More benchmarks

At a glance

Wischen
Apple M2Apple M1
FamilyApple M series (38)Apple M series (38)
CPU groupApple M2 (8)Apple M1 (9)
ArchitectureM2M1
Technology5 nm5 nm
SegmentNotebookNotebook
Socket
PredecessorApple M1
SuccessorApple M3Apple M2

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

Wischen
Apple M2Apple M1
CPU Cores / Threads8 / 88 / 8
Hyperthreading / SMT
Core architecturehybrid (big.LITTLE)hybrid (big.LITTLE)
Core Cluster 1: 4x Avalanche
0.66 - 3.50 GHz
4x Firestorm
0.60 - 3.20 GHz
Core Cluster 2: 4x Blizzard
0.60 - 2.42 GHz
4x Icestorm
0.60 - 2.06 GHz
L2-Cache20.00 MB16.00 MB
L3-Cache
Overclocking

Integrated graphics (iGPU)

Wischen
Apple M2Apple M1
GPU nameApple M2 (10 Core)Apple M1 (8 Core)
GPU frequency0.45 - 1.40 GHz0.39 - 1.30 GHz
CUs / Shader160 / 1280128 / 1024
Raytracing
Max. displays22
Max. GPU Memory24 GB8 GB
Technology5 nm5 nm
Release dateQ2/2022Q4/2020

NPU AI performance

Wischen
Apple M2Apple M1
AI hardwareApple Neural EngineApple Neural Engine
AI specifications16 Neural cores @ 15.8 TOPS16 Neural cores @ 11 TOPS
NPU + CPU + iGPU

Memory & PCIe

Wischen
Apple M2Apple M1
MemoryLPDDR5-6400 (102.4 GB/s)
LPDDR4X-4266 (68.2 GB/s)
Max. Memory24 GB16 GB
Memory channels22
ECCNoNo
PCIe4.04.0
PCIe Bandwidth

Thermal Management

Wischen
Apple M2Apple M1
TDP20 W18 W
TDP (PL2)
TDP up30 W20 W
TDP down10 W10 W
T. junction max.100 °C

Technical details

Wischen
Apple M2Apple M1
Chip designMonolithicMonolithic
AES-NI
Operating systemsmacOS, iPadOSmacOS
Instruction setArmv8.5-A (64 bit)Armv8.5-A (64 bit)
ISA extensionsRosetta 2 x86-EmulationRosetta 2 x86-Emulation
Release dateQ2/2022Q4/2020
Release price
DocumentsTechnical data sheet

Your rating

Here you can rate one or both of the processors. The average rating of Apple M2 is 4.4 stars (743 ratings), while Apple M1 has received 4.5 stars (770 ratings).

Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.

Apple M2
Apple M2
8C / 8T · 0.66 - 3.50 GHz
Apple M1
Apple M1
8C / 8T · 0.60 - 3.20 GHz

Most popular CPUs in both categories

Apple M2
Apple M2
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