Apple M2 (8-GPU) Apple A18
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Apple M2 (8-GPU) vs Apple A18

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The Apple M2 (8-GPU), codenamed M2, was introduced in mid-2022 for Mac desktops and notebooks. Manufactured on a 5 nm process, it integrates a CPU and an 8-core graphics unit (Apple M2 (8 Core)).

With 20 MB of Level 2 cache, 102 GB/s memory bandwidth, and PCIe 4.0 connectivity, it delivers strong multi-core performance. The Apple A18, codenamed Donan, is expected to be released in late 2024 for high-end mobile devices.

Produced on an advanced 3 nm process, it enables high energy efficiency. The chip features 20 MB of Level 2 cache, 24 MB of Level 3 cache, and a 5-core graphics unit (Apple A18 (5 GPU Cores)). Its maximum memory bandwidth is 60 GB/s. In performance comparison, the Apple A18 offers superior single-core performance.

The Apple M2 (8-GPU) excels in multi-core tasks and gaming, thanks to its more powerful graphics unit and higher memory bandwidth. The A18 is designed for maximum energy efficiency for mobile devices; the M2 (8-GPU) offers better performance consistency under load in desktop systems.

A direct price comparison is not meaningful. In summary, the Apple M2 (8-GPU) is suitable for users who need sustained multi-core and graphics performance in desktop or laptop formats. The Apple A18 is the choice for mobile devices requiring the highest single-core performance and energy efficiency.

Apple M2 (8-GPU)

  • Strong multi-core performance
  • Superior graphics performance for gaming
  • Better performance consistency under load
  • PCIe 4.0 connectivity

Apple A18

  • Leading single-core performance
  • Extremely high energy efficiency (3 nm process)
  • Ideal for mobile devices
  • High Level 3 cache

Performance Overview
Average performance across multiple benchmarks

Single-core performance
Rank 2 - 77 %
Apple M2 (8-GPU)
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple A18
Multi-core performance
Rank 1 - 100 %
Apple M2 (8-GPU)
Rank 2 - 84 %
Apple A18
Geekbench 6 Single-Core

Geekbench 6 Single-Core
Single-core performance

Apple M2 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 3.50 GHz
2,596
Apple A18
Apple A18 100 %
6C / 6T · 4.04 GHz
3,384
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core

Geekbench 6 Multi-Core
Multi-core performance

Apple M2 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 3.50 GHz
10,062
Apple A18
Apple A18 84 %
6C / 6T · 4.04 GHz
8,430
iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

iGPU - FP32 Performance (Single-precision GFLOPS)

Apple M2 (8-GPU)
Apple M2 (8 Core)
2,840
Apple A18
Apple A18 76 %
Apple A18 (5 GPU Cores)
2,150
AI performance (NPU)

AI performance (NPU)

Apple M2 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 0.66 GHz
15.8 TOPS
Apple A18
Apple A18 100 %
6C / 6T · 0.70 GHz
38.0 TOPS

More benchmarks

At a glance

Wischen
Apple M2 (8-GPU)Apple A18
FamilyApple M series (38)Apple A series (27)
CPU groupApple M2 (8)Apple A18 (2)
ArchitectureM2Donan
Technology5 nm3 nm
SegmentNotebookSmartphone / Tablet
Socket
PredecessorApple M1Apple A16 Bionic
SuccessorApple M3 (8-GPU)Apple A19

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

Wischen
Apple M2 (8-GPU)Apple A18
CPU Cores / Threads8 / 86 / 6
Hyperthreading / SMT
Core architecturehybrid (big.LITTLE)hybrid (big.LITTLE)
Core Cluster 1: 4x Avalanche
0.66 - 3.50 GHz
2x Donan P-Core
0.70 - 4.04 GHz
Core Cluster 2: 4x Blizzard
0.60 - 2.42 GHz
4x Donan E-Core
0.74 - 2.30 GHz
L2-Cache20.00 MB20.00 MB
L3-Cache24.00 MB
Overclocking

Integrated graphics (iGPU)

Wischen
Apple M2 (8-GPU)Apple A18
GPU nameApple M2 (8 Core)Apple A18 (5 GPU Cores)
GPU frequency0.45 - 1.40 GHz0.39 - 1.68 GHz
CUs / Shader128 / 102420 / 640
Raytracing
Max. displays21
Max. GPU Memory24 GB8 GB
Technology5 nm3 nm
Release dateQ2/2022Q3/2024

NPU AI performance

Wischen
Apple M2 (8-GPU)Apple A18
AI hardwareApple Neural EngineApple Neural Engine
AI specifications16 Neural cores @ 15.8 TOPS16 Neural cores @ 38 TOPS
NPU + CPU + iGPU

Memory & PCIe

Wischen
Apple M2 (8-GPU)Apple A18
MemoryLPDDR5-6400 (102.4 GB/s)
LPDDR5X-7500 (60.0 GB/s)
Max. Memory24 GB8 GB
Memory channels21
ECCNoNo
PCIe4.0
PCIe Bandwidth

Thermal Management

Wischen
Apple M2 (8-GPU)Apple A18
TDP20 W12 W
TDP (PL2)
TDP up25 W
TDP down10 W
T. junction max.100 °C

Technical details

Wischen
Apple M2 (8-GPU)Apple A18
Chip designMonolithicChiplet
AES-NI
Operating systemsmacOS, iPadOSiOS
Instruction setArmv8.5-A (64 bit)Armv9-A (64 bit)
ISA extensionsRosetta 2 x86-Emulation
Release dateQ2/2022Q3/2024
Release price
DocumentsTechnical data sheet

Your rating

Here you can rate one or both of the processors. The average rating of Apple M2 (8-GPU) is 4.6 stars (108 ratings), while Apple A18 has received 4.0 stars (215 ratings).

Click on the stars to rate one or both processors.

Apple M2 (8-GPU)
Apple M2 (8-GPU)
8C / 8T · 0.66 - 3.50 GHz
Apple A18
Apple A18
6C / 6T · 0.70 - 4.04 GHz

Most popular CPUs in both categories

Apple M2 (8-GPU)
Apple M2 (8-GPU)
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