Apple M2 vs. M3 Chip: How Much Better Is M3?

Apple's M3 chip, featured in the new iPad Air, surpasses its M2 predecessor through advancements in architecture and manufacturing. The shift to a 3nm process significantly increases transistor count, resulting in notable performance gains. Benchmarks reveal roughly 17% single-core and 21% multi-core improvements over the M2. GPU performance also sees a 15% boost, thanks to a redesigned architecture incorporating Dynamic Caching. This new architecture optimizes memory allocation, enhancing both speed and energy efficiency. The M3 also includes AV1 video decoding for better streaming quality. While both chips utilize a 16-core Neural Engine, the M3's efficiency is improved by the 3nm process. The M3 maintains similar memory capacity but offers improved bandwidth. Energy efficiency is enhanced, balancing performance with longer battery life. The M3 upgrade is substantial but may not justify immediate replacement for satisfied M2 users.