A18 Pro vs M1: How Apple’s iPhone Chip Compares to the First Mac Silicon

Apple transitioned away from Intel to Apple Silicon in 2020 with the introduction of the M1 chip. Devices powered by the M1 chip, such as the MacBook Air and Mac mini, set a new benchmark for performance and efficiency.

Fast forward four years, Apple introduced the A18 Pro chip in the iPhone 16 Pro, which has now appeared in the company’s new entry-level laptop, the MacBook Neo.

This development raises an interesting question. How does the A18 Pro compare with the M1 chip that started Apple’s Mac silicon journey? Let’s take a closer look at how these two Apple chips compare.

Apple A18 Pro vs M1: Quick Comparison

Feature	A18 Pro	5-core GPU
Launch year	2024	2020
Manufacturing process	3 nm	5 nm
CPU cores	6 cores	8 cores
GPU	Up to 8-core GPU	Up to 8 core GPU
Neural Engine	16 cores	16 cores
Memory bandwidth	~60 GB/s	~68 GB/s
Typical devices	iPhone, MacBook Neo	MacBook Air, Mac mini

Apple A18 Pro vs M1: CPU Performance

Starting with the CPU, the Apple M1 chip is built on TSMC’s 5nm process, while the newer A18 Pro uses a more advanced 3nm manufacturing node. The smaller process helps the A18 Pro achieve higher efficiency and improved performance.

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Single-Core Performance

The A18 Pro delivers noticeably stronger single-core performance in my tests.

It scored 1840 in Geekbench 6’s single-core test, compared to the M1’s 1463. This means the newer chip performs better in tasks that rely on a single CPU core.

Single-core performance affects everyday tasks such as:

• launching apps
• browsing the web
• scrolling through interfaces
• opening documents

This is also one reason Apple can use the A18 Pro in the MacBook Neo, where fast everyday responsiveness matters more than sustained heavy workloads.

Multi-Core Performance

Multi-core results tell a slightly different story. The M1 scored 4616, while the A18 Pro scored 4362 in Geekbench 6 multi-core tests.

This advantage comes from the M1’s 8-core CPU design, which includes four performance cores and four efficiency cores. Macs also operate within higher power limits, allowing them to maintain performance under sustained workloads.

For tasks such as video rendering, code compilation, and large multitasking workloads, the M1 still has a slight advantage.

Apple A18 Pro vs M1: GPU Performance

Moving to GPU performance, Apple has significantly improved graphics capabilities in its recent A-series chips. The 6-core GPU on the A18 Pro chip introduces architectural improvements and higher efficiency compared to earlier Apple silicon.

In my Geekbench GPU tests, the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) powered by the Apple M1 chip scored 21,417 in the Metal benchmark. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro with the A18 Pro achieved a Metal score of 18,352.

While the M1 still delivers stronger raw GPU performance in this test, the difference is surprisingly small, given that the A18 Pro is designed for a smartphone. Apple’s improvements in GPU architecture and efficiency allow the chip to deliver competitive graphics performance despite operating within a much smaller power envelope.

In real-world usage, both chips can comfortably handle tasks such as photo editing, casual gaming, UI rendering, and graphics-heavy apps.

This level of graphics performance also explains why Apple can power devices like the MacBook Neo with the A18 Pro while still delivering smooth everyday graphics performance.

A18 Pro vs M1: AI and Neural Engine

Both chips feature Apple’s 16-core Neural Engine, but the newer A18 Pro chip brings noticeable improvements in machine learning capabilities and efficiency. Apple continues to refine its AI hardware each generation to support more advanced on-device intelligence.

The Neural Engine on the A18 Pro delivers up to 35 trillion operations per second (TOPS), enabling faster processing for tasks such as image recognition, natural language processing, and AI-powered photo editing. In comparison, the Apple M1 chip offers around 11 TOPS of AI compute, which was impressive at the time of its launch but now falls behind newer Apple silicon.

The stronger AI engine allows devices like the iPhone 16 Pro to run advanced machine learning workloads directly on the device. These include features such as real-time image processing, voice recognition, and on-device AI tasks.

With Apple increasingly focusing on AI-powered features across its platforms, the improved Neural Engine in the A18 Pro also helps devices like the MacBook Neo handle modern AI workloads more efficiently while maintaining excellent power efficiency.

A18 Pro vs M1: Efficiency and Power Consumption

The A18 Pro chip is built on TSMC’s 3nm process, which allows it to deliver higher performance while consuming less power. In comparison, the Apple M1 chip is manufactured using TSMC’s 5nm process. While the M1 was highly efficient when it launched in 2020, the smaller 3nm node gives the A18 Pro a clear performance advantage per watt.

Another key factor is the target device class. The A18 Pro is designed primarily for smartphones like the iPhone 16 Pro, where power efficiency is critical to maintain long battery life in a compact form factor. The M1, on the other hand, powers larger devices such as the MacBook Air (M1, 2020), which can operate within higher power limits for sustained workloads.

Despite these differences, both chips are extremely efficient compared to traditional laptop processors. The improved efficiency of the A18 Pro is also what allows Apple to power devices like the MacBook Neo with a smartphone-class processor while still delivering strong everyday performance and excellent battery life.

A18 Pro vs M1: Which Chip Is Better?

Neither chip outshines the other, as both are impressive and excel in different areas.

A18 Pro advantages

• Faster single-core performance
• Competitive GPU performance in some workloads
• Newer architecture
• Better power efficiency

M1 advantages

• Better sustained performance
• More CPU cores
• Designed specifically for Mac workloads
• Higher multi-core performance

Why is Apple Using the A18 Pro in the MacBook Neo?

Apple’s decision to power the MacBook Neo with the A18 Pro chip highlights how far its mobile silicon has evolved in recent years. Even though the A18 Pro was originally designed for smartphones like the iPhone 16 Pro, its performance is now strong enough to compete with early Apple Silicon Mac chips, such as the Apple M1. As our benchmarks show, the A18 Pro delivers competitive CPU and GPU performance while maintaining excellent efficiency.

At the same time, the A18 Pro’s 3nm architecture enables outstanding power efficiency. This allows the MacBook Neo to deliver long battery life while maintaining a thin and fanless design.

Ultimately, using the A18 Pro helps Apple position the MacBook Neo as a more affordable entry-level Mac while still delivering modern performance and efficiency. For most everyday users, the chip provides more than enough power to run macOS smoothly.

Final Verdict

The A18 Pro and M1 represent two different phases of Apple Silicon evolution. The M1 marked the beginning of the Mac transition away from Intel and delivered incredible performance for laptops in 2020. But Apple’s mobile chips have improved rapidly since then.

Today, the A18 Pro matches or even exceeds the M1 in several areas, including single-core performance and AI processing. With Apple now using the chip in devices like the MacBook Neo, it’s clear that the line between iPhone chips and Mac processors is becoming thinner every year.

What are your thoughts on Apple using the A18 Pro in MacBook Neo? Join the discussion in the comments.

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