Apple A15 Bionic vs Apple M1

Comparisons 14-09-2022

Comprehensive compare data of Apple A15 Bionic vs Apple M1, testing of graphics processors (GPU). A thorough analysis of all the specifications, so that it can be easier to read, is presented in the form of the table. From the comparison video, you can get the results of joint testing in special testing software such as GFXBench, Quadrant, AnTuTu, PassMark, Neocore, 3DMark, Geekbench, Vellamo, PCMark, even the gaming performance of processors in Asphalt 9, Fortnite, PUBG, GTA, Call of Duty, Minecraft, Madout2 etc.
After looking at the data these tests and videos, you can already make an briefed decision about which SoCs is better to buy A15 Bionic or M1.

Summary benchmark results

As a percentage of the maximum value based on a sample from the entire base of all processors
CPU Benchmark
Based on Antutu and Geekbench score

A15 Bionic

60%

86%

Battery life test
Power Consumption efficiency (how quickly the processor reduces the battery charge)

A15 Bionic

80%

78%

Gaming performance
Which CPU is better for gaming

A15 Bionic

58%

83%

Antutu v10, 9

Antutu benchmark separately tests the performance of the CPU, GPU, and memory speed

	A15 Bionic	M1
Total score	841983	1204017
CPU	235753	337129
GPU	319963	457523
MEM	134709	192638
UX	151566	216731

GeekBench 6, 5.2

This benchmark shows Multi-threaded and Single-threaded processor performance

	A15 Bionic	M1
Single-Core	1716	1807
Multi-Core	4732	7691

Comparison of specifications

CPU and Memory

	A15 Bionic	M1
Frequency	3232 MHz	3200 MHz
Cores	6	8
Bit	64	64
Lithography	5 nm	5 nm
Transistors count	15800 millions	16000 millions
Core configuration	2x3.23 GHz Avalanche 4x1.86 GHz Blizzard	4x3.2 GHz Firestorm 4x2.0 GHz Icestorm
Power consumption (TDP)	5 W	5 W
Memory type	LPDDR4x, LPDDR5	LPDDR4X
Max. Memory	16 Gb	32 Gb
Memory Frequency	2800	2666
Memory bandwidth	92	64
Neural Processor (NPU)	Yes	Yes
L1 cache	2 MB	48 KB
L2 cache	4 MB	4 MB
L3 cache	32 MB	12 MB
Instruction set architecture (ISA)	ARMv8.5	ARMv8.4-A

In this comparison block, you should pay attention to the differences in clock speed and the number of cores. Here A15 Bionic is 0% better than M1 in terms of CPU frequency. Another difference is that A15 Bionic has 2 more core than M1. Also keep in mind that high CPU frequency affects battery life through power consumption.

GPU and Media

GPU	Apple A15 Bionic GPU	Apple M1
GPU Frequency	3232 MHz	3200 MHz
GFloPS	2989.13	2600
# of Cores	5	8
# of Shader Units		128
Display	2796 x 1290 pixels	2732 x 2048 pixels

The frequency of the GPU does not always directly indicate its performance. To fully evaluate all the capabilities of a graphics chip, you should take into account the number of Shader Units and Cores, as well as how many GFlops it has.

Gaming benchmark

Fortnite Mobile	32.2	46.1
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG Mobile)	99.5	142.7
Garena Free Fire - The Cobra	59.5	85.7
Call of Duty: Mobile	55.6	78.7
Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5 Mobile)	85.2	122.1
Minecraft: Pocket Edition	123.9	176.2
Real Racing 3	119.6	171.6
Sniper 3D	131.4	188.1
Need for Speed No Limits	83.1	119.3
Mortal Kombat X	86.9	123.4
CSR Racing 2	71.3	102.7

The numbers in this table indicate the maximum FPS that was received on the device with the corresponding processor. Depending on the configuration of the gadget and graphics quality settings (Ultra, Medium, Normal), the results may differ quite significantly. We recommend that you better study the results of the Antutu v10, 9 and GeekBench 6, 5.2 becnmarks.

Cameras

Camera resolution	12 MP	24 MP
Dual Camera resolution	12 MP	24 MP
Image Signal Processor (ISP)	Apple ISP	Apple ISP
Video Encoding FPS	120	960
Video Encoding resolution	8K, 4K (Ultra HD), 2K, FullHD	4K (Ultra HD), 2K, FullHD
Codec support	Dolby Vision, H.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC, HDR10+, HLG, HDR10	Dolby Vision, H.265 (HEVC), HDR10+, HLG, HDR10, H.264 (AVC), VP8, VP9

Networks and Navigation

Modem	5G Modem	Snapdragon X80 5G
Download speed	7000 MBit/s.	9500 MBit/s.
Upload speed	5000 MBit/s.	6000 MBit/s.
Navigation	Galileo, NavIC, GLONASS, NavIC enabled, QZSS, GPS, SBAS, Dual frequency GNSS, Beidou, GNSS	Galileo, GLONASS, GPS, Beidou
NFC support	No	Yes
5G support	Yes	Yes

Result:
The number of parameters for which Apple A15 Bionic is better: 9
The number of parameters for which Apple M1 is better: 31
You need to understand that you should not sightlessly trust the software comparison on the table. It is better to just watch the full video of parallel testing and listen to what those who really appreciated the capabilities of both chipsets think, as well as read the test results at the links below.

A15 Bionic SoC - all data

• Devices lists
• Benchmarks
• PUBG mobile
• Fortnite Mobile
• Antutu v10
• 3DMark
• GeekBench 6, 5 mobile

• A15 Bionic specs and review.

M1 SoC - all data

• Devices lists
• Benchmarks
• PUBG mobile
• Fortnite Mobile
• Antutu v10
• 3DMark
• GeekBench 6, 5 mobile

• M1 specs and review.