Apple M4 vs Apple A16 Bionic (5-CPU 4-GPU)

The Apple M4 was introduced in May 2024 and is tailored for professional users who require maximum mobile computing power in devices such as the iPad Pro.

It is manufactured using the advanced 3 nm process and features a combination of performance and efficiency CPU cores, as well as an Apple M4 (10 Core) graphics unit. With a memory bandwidth of 120 GB/s and PCIe 4.0, it offers high connectivity. In benchmarks, the Apple M4 shows significantly higher single-core and multi-core performance, in some cases over 100 percent more, than the Apple A16 Bionic (5-CPU 4-GPU).

This makes it the superior choice for demanding applications and high-end gaming, where its 10 GPU cores and high memory bandwidth enable smoother frame rates. Its performance is delivered within a larger thermal budget, allowing for higher peak performance. The Apple A16 Bionic (5-CPU 4-GPU), introduced in September 2022, is designed for high-end smartphones and optimized for energy efficiency.

It is manufactured using the 4 nm process and has 5 CPU cores as well as an Apple A16 (4 GPU Cores) graphics unit. Its memory bandwidth is 51 GB/s. Although it is significantly inferior to the M4 in single-core and multi-core performance, as well as in gaming scenarios – with over 40 percent lower single-core performance and over 100 percent lower multi-core performance – it delivers excellent performance for everyday mobile use.

Its design prioritizes low power consumption and low thermal design power (TDP), which optimizes battery life in more compact devices. Both processors are an integral part of their respective Apple devices.