CPU Comparison
Apple M3 vs Apple M4
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. Apple M3 is an 8-core, 10-core GPU SoC built on TSMC’s 3 nm process, delivering improved performance and efficiency for MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and iMac, with hardware-accelerated ray tracing and AV1 decode.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Efficiency
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 16-core Neural Engine accelerates on-device ML workloads
- Media engine includes AV1 decode for efficient video streaming
- 16-core Neural Engine delivers up to 38 TOPS for on-device AI.
- Next-generation ML accelerators are integrated into both performance and efficiency CPU cores.
- Hardware-accelerated AI features in OS and apps (e.g., Live Captions, subject isolation) benefit from the NPU and unified memory bandwidth.
- Combined GPU and NPU resources make M4 well suited for client-side inference and media AI workloads.
Content Creation
Gaming
- Ray tracing support enables better visuals in supported titles
- Dynamic Caching improves GPU utilization for more consistent frame times
- Single external display limit constrains multi-monitor gaming setups
- The integrated GPU supports modern features like hardware ray tracing and mesh shading.
- On macOS, gaming performance is constrained by title availability and reliance on translation/emulation layers.
- Playability in AAA titles at 1080p is generally limited to low or medium settings on the base M4.
- M4 iPad Pro focuses more on high-end creative and pro apps than AAA gaming libraries.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- 3 nm process for improved efficiency
- Hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading
- Dynamic Caching optimizes GPU memory usage
- Strong single-core performance
- Excellent battery life in supported systems
Cons
- Single external display limit in most configurations
- Memory not user-upgradable
- Does not support Thunderbolt 4 on some models
- No Wi-Fi 7 support on current implementations
Pros
- Industry-leading performance-per-watt in thin-and-light devices.
- Strong single-core performance and fast responsiveness.
- 16-core Neural Engine with high TOPS for on-device AI.
- Hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading in the GPU.
- Media engine with AV1 decode for efficient streaming.
- Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 and high-bandwidth unified memory on Mac implementations.
- Fanless implementations (e.g., iPad Pro) stay cool and quiet under typical use.
Cons
- Apple does not publish clock speeds, TDP, or detailed cache specs.
- Unified memory is not expandable beyond the configured capacity at purchase.
- No traditional socket or user-accessible PCIe lanes for add-in cards.
- Gaming on macOS remains constrained by software compatibility.
- Some configurations implement fewer CPU or GPU cores (e.g., 8- or 9-core CPU variants).
Competitors & Alternatives
Apple M3
- Intel Core Ultra 7 155HRival
Thin-and-Light
- AMD Ryzen 7 8840URival
Thin-and-Light
- Compare head-to-headApple M2Rival
Previous-gen SoC
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X EliteRival
Windows on ARM SoC
- Alt
More CPU/GPU cores and increased memory bandwidth for heavier workloads.
Compare head-to-head - Alt
Maximum core counts and memory support for professional creator workflows.
Compare head-to-head
Apple M4
- Compare head-to-headApple M3Rival
SoC
- Compare head-to-headApple M4 ProRival
SoC
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X EliteRival
SoC
- AMD Ryzen AI 9 365Rival
Mobile CPU
- Intel Core Ultra 7 155HRival
Mobile CPU
Our Verdict on Each
A balanced step forward that brings 3 nm efficiency, meaningful GPU features, and strong single-threaded performance to thin-and-light Macs.
Best for: Portable Mac for everyday productivity, light content creation, and student use
Read the full reviewThe M4 raises the bar for efficiency and single-thread performance while delivering stronger multi-core scaling and a much more capable Neural Engine. It is an excellent fit for iPad Pro and Mac users who want fast, cool, and quiet operation, but platform constraints on some devices and the absence of expandable memory/PCIe remain trade-offs.
Best for: Buying an iPad Pro for creative pro workflows, or a compact Mac (Mac mini/iMac) for efficient everyday performance and light-to-medium content creation.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Apple M3 or Apple M4?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Apple M4 comes out ahead with a score of 8.8/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which has more cores?
The Apple M4 has the most cores. Core counts: Apple M3 (8 cores), Apple M4 (10 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Apple M4 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Apple M4 (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.