Apple M2 Pro (12-core CPU) vs Apple M4: specs and benchmark comparison
Short verdict
In the available comparable benchmarks the difference is below the noticeable threshold, so no significant advantage was found.
Compare with AIMulti-thread performance
≈ parityThe difference in available benchmarks is below the noticeable threshold, so there is no significant advantage.
No comparable benchmarks yet: single-thread performance, gaming (cpu-bound scenarios), power efficiency.
Advantages
Only measured and rated values: a noticeable benchmark gap and specs where more is better.
Where Apple M2 Pro (12-core CPU) is better0
No advantages found in our data.
Where Apple M4 is better0
No advantages found in our data.
Benchmarks
Results are compared within one benchmark, one version and the same conditions.
- 1.7% difference, within the threshold
Blender Benchmark 4.2.0
CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom · samples/min, higher is better
Apple M2 Pro (12-core CPU)235.2 samples/minApple M4231.3 samples/minPosition among tested models (84)
B · 231A · 2350200400600800Each dot is one model’s median in this benchmark. The scale starts at zero, samples/min. The 1.7% difference is below the noticeable threshold (5%).
About the measurement and source
- A · Apple M2 Pro (12-core CPU)
235.2 samples/min · community measurement, sample 20 · November 14, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 20 submissions (0 outliers excluded), interquartile range 218.85–247.94; submissions 2024-07-28 to 2026-01-11; CPU backend. Snapshot 2026-11-14.
- B · Apple M4
231.3 samples/min · community measurement, sample 46 · November 14, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 46 submissions (2 outliers excluded), interquartile range 225.01–234.58; submissions 2024-11-06 to 2025-12-26; CPU backend. Snapshot 2026-11-14.
difference = |A − B| ÷ the smaller value × 100%. The 5% noticeable threshold is a UX heuristic, not statistical significance.
Cycles render in Blender Benchmark. Median of the sum of samples per minute over three scenes after removing outliers.
Reference results (14)
| Benchmark | A | B | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blender Benchmark 4.5.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 253.6 | 224.3 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 244.6 | 215.8 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 243.5 | 214.2 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 3.2.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 146.5 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.4.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 252.8 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.5.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 251.8 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 3.6.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 252.4 | 230.7 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.0.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 250.4 | 232 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 252.8 | 214.2 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 247.4 | 234 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.4.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 249.6 | 222.1 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.0.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | — | 220.1 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | — | 216.8 | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 5.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | — | 205.5 | no pair |
Each benchmark version has its own scale: numbers are compared only within a row.
Specifications
| Specification | A · Apple M2 Pro (12-core CPU) | B · Apple M4 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cores and clocks | |||
| CoresCores of different types may differ in performance. | 12 (8P + 4E) | no data | no data for B |
| Platform | |||
| Process node | 5 nm | 3 nm | differs |
| Memory and interfaces | |||
| Memory type | Unified memory | Unified memory | equal |
| Max memory capacity | no data | 32 GB | no data for A |
| Integrated graphics | Apple M2 Pro (16 / 19-core GPU) | Apple M4 (8 / 10-core GPU) | differs |
Cores and clocks
Cores
A12 (8P + 4E)
Bno data
no data for BCores of different types may differ in performance.
Platform
Process node
A5 nm
B3 nm
differs
Memory and interfaces
Memory type
AUnified memory
BUnified memory
equalMax memory capacity
Ano data
B32 GB
no data for AIntegrated graphics
AApple M2 Pro (16 / 19-core GPU)
BApple M4 (8 / 10-core GPU)
differs
“More” does not always mean “better”: higher power draw or size is a system requirement, not an advantage (such bars are dimmed).
Compare with AI
An AI model reviews the specs and benchmarks of this pair and gives a plain-language verdict on who each model suits.
Questions and answers
Do these CPUs have integrated graphics?
Apple M2 Pro (12-core CPU): Apple M2 Pro (16 / 19-core GPU). Apple M4: Apple M4 (8 / 10-core GPU).
Which is faster: Apple M2 Pro (12-core CPU) or Apple M4?
In the available comparable benchmarks the difference is below the noticeable threshold, so no significant advantage was found.
See also
Data sources (2)
- Apple — specifications of Apple M2 Pro (12-core CPU), specifications of Apple M4checked November 14, 2026
- Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation) — benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.5.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.2.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.2.1, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.4.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.5.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 3.6.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.3.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 4.4.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.0.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.1.0, benchmark Blender Benchmark 5.3.0checked November 14, 2026
How we compare: methodology. Where the data comes from: sources.