Apple A16 Bionic vs Apple M1

Comparisons 13-09-2022

Comprehensive comparison data of Apple A16 Bionic vs Apple M1, examination of graphics processors (GPU). A thorough analysis of all the technical characteristics, to make it easier to understand, is presented in the form of the table. From the video comparison, you can get the results of joint testing in software tests such as Geekbench, Vellamo, GFXBench, Quadrant, PassMark, AnTuTu, 3DMark, PCMark, Neocore, and how good the processors are in games Fortnite, Madout2, Call of Duty, Asphalt 9, GTA, Minecraft, PUBG etc.
After looking at the data of joint tests and videos, you can already make an informed decision about which SoCs is better to buy A16 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

A16 Bionic

71%

86%

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

A16 Bionic

84%

78%

Gaming performance
Which CPU is better for gaming

A16 Bionic

70%

83%

Antutu v10, 9

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

	A16 Bionic	M1
Total score	994406	1204017
CPU	278424	337129
GPU	377874	457523
MEM	159102	192638
UX	179002	216731

GeekBench 6, 5.2

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

	A16 Bionic	M1
Single-Core	1903	1807
Multi-Core	5589	7691

Comparison of specifications

CPU and Memory

	A16 Bionic	M1
Frequency	3460 MHz	3200 MHz
Cores	6	8
Bit	64	64
Lithography	4 nm	5 nm
Transistors count	16000 millions	16000 millions
Core configuration	2x3.46 GHz ARM 4x2.02 GHz ARM	4x3.2 GHz Firestorm 4x2.0 GHz Icestorm
Power consumption (TDP)	5 W	5 W
Memory type	LPDDR5	LPDDR4X
Max. Memory	16 Gb	32 Gb
Memory Frequency	3200	2666
Memory bandwidth	96	64
Neural Processor (NPU)	Yes	Yes
L1 cache	2 MB	48 KB
L2 cache	8 MB	4 MB
L3 cache	64 MB	12 MB
Instruction set architecture (ISA)	ARMv9	ARMv8.4-A

In this comparison block, you should pay attention to the differences in clock speed and the number of cores. Here A16 Bionic is 7% better than M1 in terms of CPU frequency. Another difference is that A16 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 A16 Bionic	Apple M1
GPU Frequency	3460 MHz	3200 MHz
GFloPS	3200	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	37.2	46.1
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG Mobile)	118.2	142.7
Garena Free Fire - The Cobra	69.1	85.7
Call of Duty: Mobile	64.4	78.7
Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5 Mobile)	100.1	122.1
Minecraft: Pocket Edition	145.3	176.2
Real Racing 3	141.5	171.6
Sniper 3D	155.1	188.1
Need for Speed No Limits	98.4	119.3
Mortal Kombat X	101.4	123.4
CSR Racing 2	85.4	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	48 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	9000 MBit/s.	9500 MBit/s.
Upload speed	7000 MBit/s.	6000 MBit/s.
Navigation	NavIC enabled, GNSS, NavIC, Dual frequency GNSS, GLONASS, Galileo, GPS, QZSS, SBAS, Beidou	Galileo, GLONASS, GPS, Beidou
NFC support	No	Yes
5G support	Yes	Yes

Result:
The number of parameters for which Apple A16 Bionic is better: 14
The number of parameters for which Apple M1 is better: 27
You need to understand that you should not sightlessly trust the automatic comparison of the table. It is better to just watch the full video of joint testing and listen to what people think who really appreciated the capabilities of both CPUs, and also read the test results on the links under the article.

A16 Bionic SoC - all data

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

• A16 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.