Buzz
Apple's silicon chips have made a significant impact since their debut in 2020. Apple M1 received high praise for delivering powerful performance without excessive power consumption. With the M2 chip, Apple introduced subtle performance improvements, leaving a positive impression on users. Currently, the company is developing the M3 chip, set to debut on Macs later this year. Here's all the information we have about this chip.
When will Apple release the M3 chip?
According to reputable tech journalist Mark Gurman, the M3 chip could debut 'late this year or early next year.' Many other sources support this report, and the reasons are outlined below.
In 2020, when Apple announced the transition from Intel CPUs to Silicon M-series for its Mac lineup, they set a two-year timeline for completion. M1 was unveiled in November 2020, and a year and a half later, in June 2022, Apple released the M2 chip.
Therefore, following Apple's typical pattern of releasing new chips every year and a half, Macs with M3 chips could debut around June 2023.
What can you expect from Apple's M3 chip?
Apple has conveyed a clear message with its in-house Apple silicon chip lineup – aiming to provide powerful and extremely energy-efficient performance for Macs. Built on the 5nm process, the M1-powered Macs exhibit remarkable performance per watt, smoothly handling heavy tasks with impressive battery life.
The M2 chip, built on the second-generation 5nm process, further elevates Mac performance. However, industry experts anticipate that the M3 will be based on an entirely new 3nm process. According to TSMC's claims, a smaller chip design is expected to bring a significant leap in performance (around 15%) while consuming less power (approximately 30%) compared to the current generation.
Renowned analysts like Ming-Chi Kuo express optimism, suggesting that this chip could be the world's most advanced 3nm processor. Some reports hint that the M3 could feature up to 4 clusters, enabling support for 40 CPU cores. With these advancements, Macs with M3 chips are sure to bring superior improvements in performance and battery life compared to the previous generation.
Which Mac lineup will Apple equip with the M3 chip?
Almost every Mac model is expected to adopt the M3 chip. According to The Information, Apple plans to release 4 variants of this chip – Apple M3, M3 Pro, M3 Max, and M3 Ultra. The standard version is likely to appear on Mac mini and the new generation of , and models.
While M3 Pro and M3 Max variants are anticipated on higher-end Macs, such as the and the next-generation 16-inch model, M3 Ultra could debut with the or the next-generation Mac Pro.
However, while Apple may introduce the basic M3 chip around the last quarter of 2023, we might have to wait until early 2024 for the more premium variants.
