Apple M2 | Apple A12Z Bionic | |
CPU comparisonIn this CPU comparison, we compare the Apple M2 and the Apple A12Z Bionic and use benchmarks to check which processor is faster.
We compare the Apple M2 8 core processor released in Q2/2022 with the Apple A12Z Bionic which has 8 CPU cores and was introduced in Q1/2020. |
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Apple M series (25) | Family | Apple A series (22) |
Apple M2 (8) | CPU group | Apple A12/A12X/A12Z (3) |
2 | Generation | 12 |
M2 | Architecture | A12 |
Mobile | Segment | Mobile |
Apple M1 | Predecessor | Apple A10X Fusion |
Apple M3 | Successor | -- |
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CPU Cores and Base FrequencyThe Apple M2 is a 8 core processor with a clock frequency of 0.66 GHz (3.50 GHz). The processor can compute 8 threads at the same time. The Apple A12Z Bionic clocks with 2.49 GHz, has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel. |
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Apple M2 | Characteristic | Apple A12Z Bionic |
8 | Cores | 8 |
8 | Threads | 8 |
hybrid (big.LITTLE) | Core architecture | hybrid (big.LITTLE) |
No | Hyperthreading | No |
No | Overclocking ? | No |
0.66 GHz (3.50 GHz) 4x Avalanche |
A-Core | 2.49 GHz 4x Vortex |
0.60 GHz (2.42 GHz) 4x Blizzard |
B-Core | 1.59 GHz 4x Tempest |
Artificial Intelligence and Machine LearningProcessors with the support of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors. Algorithms for ML improve their performance the more data they have collected via software. ML tasks can be processed up to 10,000 times faster than with a classic processor. |
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Apple M2 | Characteristic | Apple A12Z Bionic |
Apple Neural Engine | AI hardware | Apple Neural Engine |
16 Neural cores @ 15.8 TOPS | AI specifications | 8 Neural cores @ 5 TOPS |
Internal GraphicsGraphics (iGPU) integrated into the processor not only enable image output without having to rely on a dedicated graphics solution, but can also efficiently accelerate video playback. |
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Apple M2 (10 Core) | GPU | Apple A12Z |
0.45 GHz | GPU frequency | 1.13 GHz |
1.40 GHz | GPU (Turbo) | -- |
2 | GPU Generation | 9 |
5 nm | Technology | 7 nm |
2 | Max. displays | 1 |
160 | Compute units | 32 |
1280 | Shader | 512 |
No | 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 M2 (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 |
No | Codec AV1 | No |
Decode | Codec AVC | Decode |
Decode | Codec VC-1 | Decode |
Decode / Encode | Codec JPEG | Decode / Encode |
Memory & PCIeUp to 24 GB of memory in a maximum of 2 memory channels is supported by the Apple M2, while the Apple A12Z Bionic supports a maximum of 6 GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of 68.2 GB/s enabled. |
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Apple M2 | Characteristic | Apple A12Z Bionic |
LPDDR5-6400 | Memory | LPDDR4X-4266 |
24 GB | Max. Memory | 6 GB |
2 (Dual Channel) | Memory channels | 2 (Dual Channel) |
102.4 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 68.2 GB/s |
No | ECC | No |
20.00 MB | L2 Cache | 8.00 MB |
-- | L3 Cache | -- |
4.0 | PCIe version | -- |
-- | PCIe lanes | -- |
-- | PCIe Bandwidth | -- |
Thermal ManagementThe Apple M2 has a TDP of 20 W. The TDP of the Apple A12Z Bionic is 15 W. System integrators use the TDP of the processor as a guide when dimensioning the cooling solution. |
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Apple M2 | Characteristic | Apple A12Z Bionic |
20 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 15 W |
-- | TDP (PL2) | -- |
30 W | TDP up | -- |
10 W | TDP down | -- |
100 °C | Tjunction max. | -- |
Technical detailsThe Apple M2 has 20.00 MB cache and is manufactured in 5 nm. The cache of Apple A12Z Bionic is at 8.00 MB. The processor is manufactured in 7 nm. |
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Apple M2 | Characteristic | Apple A12Z Bionic |
5 nm | Technology | 7 nm |
Chiplet | Chip design | Chiplet |
Armv8.5-A (64 bit) | Instruction set (ISA) | Armv8-A (64 bit) |
Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation | ISA extensions | -- |
-- | Socket | -- |
Apple Virtualization Framework | Virtualization | None |
Yes | AES-NI | No |
macOS, iPadOS | Operating systems | iOS |
Q2/2022 | Release date | Q1/2020 |
-- | Release price | -- |
show more data | show more data | |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M2
Apple M2 (10 Core) @ 1.40 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
Apple A12Z @ 1.13 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 0.66 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 0.66 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 0.66 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M2
8C 8T @ 3.50 GHz |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
8C 8T @ 2.49 GHz |
Apple M2
8,558 CB R23 MC @ 20 W |
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Apple A12Z Bionic
2.49 GHz |
Devices using this processor |
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Apple M2 | Apple A12Z Bionic |
Apple MacBook Air 14 (2022) Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) |
Apple iPad Pro 2020 |