Apple M4 vs M3 CPUs Compared—Which Is Better? 

Apple’s new chip is here! Say hello to the M4. Just when we got used to the M3, Apple dropped a surprise. But should you upgrade? Is the M4 truly better? Let’s break it down and find out. Don’t worry, we’ll keep it easy and fun to follow.

What Are Apple’s M-Series Chips?

Apple switched from Intel chips to its own M-series chips starting with the M1. These chips are super fast and very efficient. Each generation is a step up in terms of speed, battery life, and smarts.

Now we’ve had:

• M1 – The beginning
• M2 – Faster and cooler
• M3 – First with 3nm tech
• M4 – The latest and greatest

But the big question is…

How Much Better Is the M4 Than the M3?

Let’s compare them side by side, one step at a time.

1. Speed and Performance

The M4 is faster. No surprise there.

Apple says the M4 is up to 25% faster than the M3 in CPU tasks. That’s a good jump!

On the GPU side, things look even cooler. The M4 has improved graphics performance and introduces powerful new features like Dynamic Caching and hardware-accelerated ray tracing.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

Winner: M4 — More cores, more power, same energy use.

2. Efficiency (Battery Life)

The M4 doesn’t just go fast. It does so while sipping battery like a hummingbird with an espresso.

Apple focused heavily on energy efficiency. This chip can deliver more speed without draining your battery. In real-world terms: M4-based iPads and future Macs can last longer while doing more at once.

Winner: M4 — Better battery + more power = score!

3. AI and Machine Learning

AI is a big deal in 2024. Apple knows it.

The M4 chip has a supercharged Neural Engine. It can handle up to 38 trillion operations per second. That’s… a lot.

Compared to the M3, that’s a huge leap. This helps with things like:

• Photo and video editing
• Live language translation
• Text prediction and voice typing
• Smart app suggestions

Winner: M4 — AI is its superpower.

4. Display and Visual Upgrades

The M4 is built with support for OLED displays. This makes colors pop more than ever. It’s also better at managing refresh rates, saving even more battery during everyday use. The M3 didn’t have these perks built in.

This makes M4 devices feel smoother and look brighter.

Winner: M4 — Better visuals, cleaner motion.

5. Size and Heat

Guess what? Despite more power, the M4 runs cooler. That’s thanks to it being made with second-gen 3nm technology.

This means devices like iPads with M4 can be thinner and still not overheat. M3 used the first-gen of this tech, so M4 is one step ahead.

Winner: M4 — Cool and compact.

What Devices Use M4 vs M3?

As of now, Apple’s iPad Pro 2024 is the first to use the M4 chip. Macs with M4 will come later.

Here’s a quick list:

Devices with M3:

• MacBook Pro 14” and 16”
• iMac 24”
• MacBook Air 13” and 15”

Devices with M4 (for now):

• iPad Pro 11″ and 13″ (2024)

We’ll see M4 Macs soon, probably by late 2024.

Should You Upgrade?

This depends on what you use your device for.

• If you already have an M3 device: You’re still in good hands. M3 is still blazing fast.
• If you’re using M1 or M2: M4 will feel like a rocket ship powered by lightning bolts.
• If you love newest tech or need top power: M4 is your chip.

But remember—upgrades aren’t just about speed. They’re about what you need.

The Verdict: M4 or M3?

Let’s wrap it up with a quick side-by-side.

Final Score: M4 wins in almost every category.

But M3 is still more than enough power for most people. It’s like comparing a sports car to a race car!

Our Recommendation

If you want the best of the best, go for M4.

If you just bought an M3 Mac, relax. You’re not missing out—yet.

And if you’re still using Intel or even M1? The M4 will feel like pure magic.

In the end, both M3 and M4 are amazing. It’s just that M4 is a bit more amazing.

Happy computing!