Apple M4 (10-CPU) | Apple A12Z Bionic | |
CPU comparisonApple M4 (10-CPU) or Apple A12Z Bionic - 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 (10-CPU) has 10 cores with 10 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 4.41 GHz. Up to 16 GB of memory is supported in 2 memory channels. The Apple M4 (10-CPU) was released in Q2/2024. The Apple A12Z Bionic has 8 cores with 8 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 2.49 GHz. The CPU supports up to 6 GB of memory in 2 memory channels. The Apple A12Z Bionic was released in Q1/2020. |
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Apple M series (25) | Family | Apple A series (22) |
Apple M4 (2) | CPU group | Apple A12/A12X/A12Z (3) |
4 | Generation | 12 |
M4 | Architecture | A12 |
Mobile | Segment | Mobile |
Apple M3 | Predecessor | Apple A10X Fusion |
-- | Successor | -- |
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CPU Cores and Base FrequencyThe Apple M4 (10-CPU) has 10 CPU cores and can calculate 10 threads in parallel. The clock frequency of the Apple M4 (10-CPU) is 0.70 GHz (4.41 GHz) while the Apple A12Z Bionic has 8 CPU cores and 8 threads can calculate simultaneously. The clock frequency of the Apple A12Z Bionic is at 2.49 GHz. |
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Apple M4 (10-CPU) | Characteristic | Apple A12Z Bionic |
10 | Cores | 8 |
10 | Threads | 8 |
hybrid (big.LITTLE) | Core architecture | hybrid (big.LITTLE) |
No | Hyperthreading | No |
No | Overclocking ? | No |
0.70 GHz (4.41 GHz) 4x P-Core |
A-Core | 2.49 GHz 4x Vortex |
0.74 GHz (2.85 GHz) 6x E-Core |
B-Core | 1.59 GHz 4x Tempest |
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 (10-CPU) | Characteristic | Apple A12Z Bionic |
Apple Neural Engine | AI hardware | Apple Neural Engine |
16 Neural cores @ 38 TOPS | AI specifications | 8 Neural cores @ 5 TOPS |
-- | NPU + CPU + iGPU | -- |
Integrated graphics (iGPU)The Apple M4 (10-CPU) or Apple A12Z Bionic has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short. The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die. |
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Apple M4 (10 Core) | GPU | Apple A12Z |
GPU frequency | 1.13 GHz | |
-- | GPU (Turbo) | -- |
-- | GPU Generation | 9 |
3 nm | Technology | 7 nm |
2 | Max. displays | 1 |
160 | Compute units | 32 |
1280 | Shader | 512 |
Yes | Hardware Raytracing | No |
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 A12Z |
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 | No |
Decode | Codec AVC | Decode |
Decode | Codec VC-1 | Decode |
Decode / Encode | Codec JPEG | Decode / Encode |
Memory & PCIeThe Apple M4 (10-CPU) can use up to 16 GB of memory in 2 memory channels. The maximum memory bandwidth is 120.0 GB/s. The Apple A12Z Bionic supports up to 6 GB of memory in 2 memory channels and achieves a memory bandwidth of up to 68.2 GB/s. |
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Apple M4 (10-CPU) | Characteristic | Apple A12Z Bionic |
LPDDR5X-7500 | Memory | LPDDR4X-4266 |
16 GB | Max. Memory | 6 GB |
2 (Dual Channel) | Memory channels | 2 (Dual Channel) |
120.0 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 68.2 GB/s |
No | ECC | No |
22.00 MB | L2 Cache | 8.00 MB |
-- | L3 Cache | -- |
4.0 | PCIe version | -- |
-- | PCIe lanes | -- |
-- | PCIe Bandwidth | -- |
Thermal ManagementThe thermal design power (TDP for short) of the Apple M4 (10-CPU) is 22 W, while the Apple A12Z Bionic has a TDP of 15 W. The TDP specifies the necessary cooling solution that is required to cool the processor sufficiently. |
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Apple M4 (10-CPU) | Characteristic | Apple A12Z Bionic |
22 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 15 W |
-- | TDP (PL2) | -- |
-- | TDP up | -- |
15 W | TDP down | -- |
100 °C | Tjunction max. | -- |
Technical detailsThe Apple M4 (10-CPU) is manufactured in 3 nm and has 22.00 MB cache. The Apple A12Z Bionic is manufactured in 7 nm and has a 8.00 MB cache. |
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Apple M4 (10-CPU) | Characteristic | Apple A12Z Bionic |
3 nm | Technology | 7 nm |
Chiplet | Chip design | Chiplet |
Armv9-A (64 bit) | Instruction set (ISA) | Armv8-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 | Q1/2020 |
-- | Release price | -- |
show more data | show more data | |
Apple M4 (10-CPU)
10C 10T @ 4.41 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M4 (10-CPU)
10C 10T @ 0.70 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M4 (10-CPU)
10C 10T @ 4.41 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M4 (10-CPU)
10C 10T @ 0.70 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M4 (10-CPU)
10C 10T @ 0.70 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M4 (10-CPU)
10C 10T @ 4.41 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M4 (10-CPU)
10C 10T @ 0.70 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M4 (10-CPU)
Apple M4 (10 Core) @ 0.00 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
Apple A12Z @ 1.13 GHz |
Apple M4 (10-CPU)
10C 10T @ 0.70 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M4 (10-CPU)
10C 10T @ 0.70 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Devices using this processor |
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Apple M4 (10-CPU) | Apple A12Z Bionic |
Apple iPad Pro 11 (2024) [1-2 TB] | Apple iPad Pro 2020 |