Apple M1 (7-core GPU) vs Apple A15 Bionic

Comparative analysis of Apple M1 (7-core GPU) and Apple A15 Bionic processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Memory, Graphics, Compatibility. Benchmark processor performance analysis: PassMark - Single thread mark, PassMark - CPU mark.

Apple M1 (7-core GPU)

Apple A15 Bionic

Differences

Reasons to consider the Apple M1 (7-core GPU)

2 more cores, run more applications at once: 8 vs 6
2 more threads: 8 vs 6
Around 33% more L1 cache; more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
2.7x more maximum memory size: 16 GB vs 6 GB

Number of cores	8 vs 6
Number of threads	8 vs 6
L1 cache	192 KB instruction + 128 KB data (per core) vs 192 KB instruction + 128 KB data (per core)
Maximum memory size	16 GB vs 6 GB

Reasons to consider the Apple A15 Bionic

CPU is newer: launch date 10 month(s) later
Around 1% higher clock speed: 3.23 GHz vs 3.204 GHz
3x more L2 cache, more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
2.5x lower typical power consumption: 6 Watt vs 15 Watt

Launch date	14 Sep 2021 vs 10 Nov 2020
Maximum frequency	3.23 GHz vs 3.204 GHz
L2 cache	12 MB (shared) vs 4 MB
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	6 Watt vs 15 Watt

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: Apple M1 (7-core GPU)
CPU 2: Apple A15 Bionic

Name	Apple M1 (7-core GPU)	Apple A15 Bionic
PassMark - Single thread mark		3597
PassMark - CPU mark		9905

Compare specifications (specs)

	Apple M1 (7-core GPU)	Apple A15 Bionic
Essentials
Architecture codename	Firestorm/Icestorm	Avalanche/Blizzard
Launch date	10 Nov 2020	14 Sep 2021
OS Support	macOS Big Sur 11.0, macOS Ventura 13.3, iPadOS 14.5, iPadOS 16.4.1	iOS 15.0, iPadOS 15.0, iOS 16.4.1, iPadOS 16.4.1
Place in performance rating	not rated	452
Processor Number	APL1102	APL1W07
Vertical segment	Laptop	Mobile
Performance
Base frequency	2.064 GHz	2.02 GHz
L1 cache	192 KB instruction + 128 KB data (per core)	192 KB instruction + 128 KB data (per core)
L2 cache	4 MB	12 MB (shared)
Manufacturing process technology	5 nm	5 nm
Maximum frequency	3.204 GHz	3.23 GHz
Number of cores	8	6
Number of threads	8	6
Transistor count	16 billion	15 billion
Memory
Max memory channels	2	1
Maximum memory bandwidth	66.67 GB/s	34.1 GB/s
Maximum memory size	16 GB	6 GB
Supported memory types	LPDDR4X-4266	LPDDR4X-4266
Graphics
Execution Units	28	20
Graphics base frequency	1278 MHz	1338 MHz
iGPU core count	7	5
Compatibility
Configurable TDP-down	10 Watt
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	15 Watt	6 Watt
Max number of CPUs in a configuration		1