Apple M4 | Apple A17 Pro | |
CPU comparisonApple M4 or Apple A17 Pro - which processor is faster? In this comparison we look at the differences and analyze which of these two CPUs is better. We compare the technical data and benchmark results.
The Apple M4 has 9 cores with 9 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 4.41 GHz. Up to 8 GB of memory is supported in 2 memory channels. The Apple M4 was released in Q2/2024. The Apple A17 Pro has 6 cores with 6 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 3.78 GHz. The CPU supports up to 8 GB of memory in 1 memory channels. The Apple A17 Pro was released in Q3/2023. |
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Apple M series (25) | Family | Apple A series (22) |
Apple M4 (2) | CPU group | Apple A17 (1) |
4 | Generation | 17 |
M4 | Architecture | A17 |
Mobile | Segment | Mobile |
Apple M3 | Predecessor | Apple A16 Bionic |
-- | Successor | -- |
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CPU Cores and Base FrequencyThe Apple M4 is a 9 core processor with a clock frequency of 0.70 GHz (4.41 GHz). The Apple A17 Pro has 6 CPU cores with a clock frequency of 3.78 GHz. |
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Apple M4 | Characteristic | Apple A17 Pro |
9 | Cores | 6 |
9 | Threads | 6 |
hybrid (big.LITTLE) | Core architecture | hybrid (big.LITTLE) |
No | Hyperthreading | No |
No | Overclocking ? | No |
0.70 GHz (4.41 GHz) 3x P-Core |
A-Core | 3.78 GHz |
0.74 GHz (2.85 GHz) 6x E-Core |
B-Core | 2.11 GHz |
NPU AI performanceThe 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. |
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Apple M4 | Characteristic | Apple A17 Pro |
Apple Neural Engine | AI hardware | Apple Neural Engine |
16 Neural cores @ 38 TOPS | AI specifications | 16 Neural cores @ 35 TOPS |
-- | NPU + CPU + iGPU | -- |
Integrated graphics (iGPU)The integrated graphics unit of a processor is not only responsible for the pure image output on the system, but can also significantly increase the efficiency of the system with the support of modern video codecs. |
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Apple M4 (10 Core) | GPU | Apple A17 Pro (6 GPU Cores) |
0.39 GHz | GPU frequency | 1.40 GHz |
1.40 GHz | GPU (Turbo) | -- |
-- | GPU Generation | -- |
3 nm | Technology | 3 nm |
2 | Max. displays | 3 |
160 | Compute units | 24 |
1280 | Shader | 768 |
Yes | Hardware Raytracing | Yes |
No | Frame Generation | No |
24 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 M4 (10 Core) | GPU | Apple A17 Pro (6 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 |
Decode | Codec AV1 | Decode |
Decode | Codec AVC | Decode |
Decode | Codec VC-1 | Decode |
Decode / Encode | Codec JPEG | Decode / Encode |
Memory & PCIeThe Apple M4 supports a maximum of 8 GB of memory in 2 memory channels. The Apple A17 Pro can connect up to 8 GB of memory in 1 memory channels. |
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Apple M4 | Characteristic | Apple A17 Pro |
LPDDR5X-7500 | Memory | LPDDR5-6400 |
8 GB | Max. Memory | 8 GB |
2 (Dual Channel) | Memory channels | 1 (Single Channel) |
120.0 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s |
No | ECC | No |
18.00 MB | L2 Cache | 20.00 MB |
-- | L3 Cache | 24.00 MB |
4.0 | PCIe version | -- |
-- | PCIe lanes | -- |
-- | PCIe Bandwidth | -- |
Thermal ManagementThe TDP (Thermal Design Power) of a processor specifies the required cooling solution. The Apple M4 has a TDP of 22 W, that of the Apple A17 Pro is 11 W. |
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Apple M4 | Characteristic | Apple A17 Pro |
22 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 11 W |
-- | TDP (PL2) | -- |
-- | TDP up | -- |
15 W | TDP down | -- |
100 °C | Tjunction max. | -- |
Technical detailsThe Apple M4 has a 18.00 MB cache, while the Apple A17 Pro cache has a total of 44.00 MB. |
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Apple M4 | Characteristic | Apple A17 Pro |
3 nm | Technology | 3 nm |
Chiplet | Chip design | Chiplet |
Armv9-A (64 bit) | Instruction set (ISA) | Armv8.6-A (64 bit) |
Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation, AVX2, SME | ISA extensions | -- |
-- | Socket | -- |
Apple Virtualization Framework | Virtualization | None |
Yes | AES-NI | No |
macOS, iPadOS | Operating systems | iOS |
Q2/2024 | Release date | Q3/2023 |
-- | Release price | -- |
show more data | show more data | |
Apple M4
9C 9T @ 4.41 GHz |
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Apple A17 Pro
6C 6T @ 3.78 GHz |
Apple M4
9C 9T @ 4.41 GHz |
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Apple A17 Pro
6C 6T @ 3.78 GHz |
Apple M4
9C 9T @ 0.70 GHz |
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Apple A17 Pro
6C 6T @ 3.78 GHz |
Apple M4
9C 9T @ 0.70 GHz |
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Apple A17 Pro
6C 6T @ 3.78 GHz |
Apple M4
9C 9T @ 0.70 GHz |
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Apple A17 Pro
6C 6T @ 3.78 GHz |
Apple M4
Apple M4 (10 Core) @ 1.40 GHz |
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Apple A17 Pro
Apple A17 Pro (6 GPU Cores) @ 1.40 GHz |
Apple M4
9C 9T @ 0.70 GHz |
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Apple A17 Pro
6C 6T @ 3.78 GHz |
Apple M4
9C 9T @ 0.70 GHz |
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Apple A17 Pro
6C 6T @ 3.78 GHz |
Devices using this processor |
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Apple M4 | Apple A17 Pro |
Apple iPad Pro 11 (2024) | Apple iPhone 15 Pro Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max |