New M3 Pro, M3 Max, and M3 Ultra to feature more CPU and GPU cores than M2 variants

Apple hasn’t even announced the next-generation M3 chip and the rumor mills are delivering information on M3 Pro, M3 Max, and M3 Ultra chips.

Mark Gurman from Bloomberg claims that the higher-end M3 series chips would feature more CPU and GPU cores than their predecessor variants, the M2 Pro, M2 Max, and M2 Ultra chips.

M3 Pro

Each M-series Apple Silicon for Macs has four variants; the first-generation Apple Silicon for Mac includes M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, and M1 Ultra, and the second-generation Apple Silicon for Mac includes M2, M2 Pro, M2 Max, and M2 Ultra. The latest M2 series chips deliver up to 20% faster performance than their predecessors. 

Recently, it was reported that the M3 chip, along with the A17 Bionic chip for the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will be built on an advanced 3nm process which will significantly boost the processors’ performance and power efficiency.

m3 Pro Mac

M3 Macs to arrive in late 2023 and the high-end M3 Pro, Max and Ultra in 2024

Compiling his previous and latest predictions in his new newsletter, Gurman listed the expected CPU and GPU cores in the upcoming M3 series chips for Macs.

VariantM2 series (cores)M3 series (cores)
First chip8-CPU cores
(4 performance
and 4 efficiency cores)
10-GPU cores
8-CPU cores
(four performance
and four efficiency cores)
10 GPU cores.
Pro10 to 12-CPU cores
(Up to 8 performance
and 4 efficiency cores)
16 to 19-GPU cores
12 to 14-CPU cores
(Up to 8 performance
and 6 efficiency cores)
18 to 20-GPU cores
Max12-CPU cores
(8 performance
and 4 efficiency cores)
30 to 38 GPU cores
16-CPU cores
(12 performance
and 4 efficiency cores)
32 to 40 GPU cores
Ultra24 CPU cores
(16 performance
and 8 efficiency cores)
60 to 76 GPU cores
32 CPU cores
(24 performance
and 8 efficiency cores)
64 to 80 GPU cores

He also shared which future Mac and iPad models would feature which chip.

ChipsDevicesLaunch time
M313-inch MacBook Pro
13-inch MacBook Air
15-inch MacBook Air

Mac mini
iMac
iPad Pro
October 2023
M3 Pro14-inch MacBook Pro
16-inch MacBook Pro

Mac mini
2024
M3 Max14-inch MacBook Pro
16-inch MacBook Pro

Mac Studio
2024
M3 UltraMac Studio
Mac Pro (if the computer is continued)
End of 2023

Based on industry reports, it can be said that M3 series chips will be even faster than M2 series chips because they will be built on a 3nm fabrication process, and feature more CPU and GPU core.

About the Author

Addicted to social media and in love with iPhone, started blogging as a hobby. And now it's my passion for every day is a new learning experience. Hopefully, manufacturers will continue to use innovative solutions and we will keep on letting you know about them.