Quick Answer
The Apple M4 chip, found in the latest iPad Pro models, offers a performance uplift over the M3 chip used in the previous generation. Key improvements generally include a more powerful CPU and GPU, enhanced neural engine capabilities for AI tasks, and new display engine features. The M3 chip remains a highly capable processor for most tasks in other iPad models.
Apple M4 (iPad) vs Apple M3 (iPad): Full Comparison
Introduction
When evaluating iPad performance, the system-on-a-chip (SoC) is a central component. Apple’s M-series chips have significantly shaped the tablet landscape. This comparison examines the differences between the Apple M4 chip, which debuted in the 2024 iPad Pro, and the Apple M3 chip, found in the 2024 iPad Air and preceding iPad Pro models. Understanding these distinctions can help clarify the performance, efficiency, and feature sets available across Apple’s current tablet lineup.
Performance and Architecture
The core architectural differences between these chips drive their performance profiles.
- Manufacturing Process: The M4 is built on an enhanced second-generation 3-nanometer technology, which typically allows for greater performance and efficiency in a similar power envelope compared to the M3’s first-generation 3nm process.
- CPU: Both chips feature a CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores. However, the M4’s performance cores are a newer generation, offering higher clock speeds and improved performance per watt. The efficiency cores are also more capable, contributing to better battery life during lighter tasks.
- GPU: The M4 integrates a 10-core GPU, an increase from the M3’s 10-core GPU. More importantly, it introduces new architectural features like Dynamic Caching and hardware-accelerated ray tracing, which were first seen in the M3, but with further refinements for pro-level graphics and gaming.
- Neural Engine: This is a major area of advancement. The M4’s next-generation Neural Engine is capable of up to 38 trillion operations per second (TOPS), a substantial increase over the 18 TOPS of the M3. This significantly accelerates machine learning and AI-driven tasks within apps.
Display and Media Engine
A key differentiator for the M4 is its advanced display engine, designed to support the new iPad Pro’s Ultra Retina XDR display.
- Display Engine: The M4 includes a new display engine that enables precision, uniformity, and clarity for the tandem OLED technology used in the latest iPad Pro. This allows for exceptional brightness, contrast, and color accuracy. The M3’s display engine, while capable, does not support this specific tandem OLED configuration.
- Media Playback: Both chips feature a powerful media engine with hardware acceleration for H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW. The M4 adds support for AV1 hardware decoding, which can improve efficiency when streaming video from services that use this codec.
Efficiency and Battery Life
Efficiency is a critical factor for portable devices like tablets.
- Power Efficiency: Thanks to its more advanced 3nm process and updated CPU/GPU cores, the M4 is designed to deliver peak performance while maintaining, or in some scenarios improving, power efficiency compared to the M3.
- Real-World Impact: In practice, devices with the M4 chip can achieve similar or better battery life than those with the M3, even when driving a more demanding display. For standard tasks, both chips are highly efficient.
Comparison Table: Apple M4 vs Apple M3 (iPad Chips)
| Feature | Apple M4 (iPad) | Apple M3 (iPad) |
|---|---|---|
| Process Technology | Second-gen 3nm | First-gen 3nm |
| CPU Cores | 4 performance + 4 efficiency | 4 performance + 4 efficiency |
| GPU Cores | 10-core (with hardware ray tracing & mesh shading) | 10-core (with hardware ray tracing & mesh shading) |
| Neural Engine | 16-core, up to 38 TOPS | 16-core, up to 18 TOPS |
| Memory Support | Up to 16GB unified memory | Up to 16GB unified memory |
| Display Engine | New engine for tandem OLED (Ultra Retina XDR) | Supports Liquid Retina XDR/mini-LED & standard displays |
| Media Engine | Hardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, ProRes, AV1 decode | Hardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, ProRes |
| First iPad Models | iPad Pro 13″ (2024), iPad Pro 11″ (2024) | iPad Air 13″ (2024), iPad Air 11″ (2024), iPad Pro (2022) |
FAQ: Apple M4 vs M3 for iPad
What is the main difference between the Apple M4 and M3 chips?
The main differences lie in the manufacturing process, Neural Engine performance, and the inclusion of a new display engine in the M4. The M4 is built on a more advanced 3nm node, has a Neural Engine twice as fast as the M3’s, and features a display engine designed to power the latest tandem OLED screens.
Is the M4 significantly faster than the M3 for everyday tasks?
For common tasks like web browsing, email, and streaming video, the difference in perceived speed may be minimal as both chips are exceptionally fast. The performance gap becomes more noticeable in demanding workflows like 3D rendering, video editing with multiple streams, and complex AI or machine learning applications.
Does the M4 chip improve iPad battery life?
The M4 is designed with a focus on performance per watt. While driving a more advanced display, iPads with the M4 chip generally maintain battery life comparable to previous models with the M3. Efficiency gains are often realized during intensive tasks rather than idle or light usage.
Which iPad models use the M3 chip?
As of its introduction, the M3 chip is used in the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air models released in 2024, and the iPad Pro models released in 2022. The M4 chip is currently exclusive to the iPad Pro models launched in 2024.
Final Thoughts
The Apple M4 represents a clear generational step forward from the M3, particularly in AI capabilities, display support, and overall performance efficiency. The M3 remains a highly capable chip that powers a range of premium iPad models and handles most professional and creative tasks with ease. The choice between devices featuring these chips often depends on specific needs: the cutting-edge display technology and maximum AI performance offered by the M4, versus the robust and proven performance of the M3 in other high-end iPad models. Evaluating the types of applications you use most frequently will typically provide the best guidance.