Apple M5 vs Apple M6: specs and benchmark comparison
Short verdict
Apple M6 leads in every scenario with comparable benchmarks: multi-thread performance. This does not imply an advantage in tasks without benchmarks.
Compare with AIMulti-thread performance
B +36.7%Apple M6 leads in this scenario (up to 36.7% in comparable benchmarks).
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 M5 is better0
No advantages found in our data.
Where Apple M6 is better2
Blender Benchmark 5.2.0 36.7% faster331 samples/min vs 242 samples/min
Cores 2 more12 (6P + 6E) vs 10 (4P + 6E)
Benchmarks
Results are compared within one benchmark, one version and the same conditions.
- B ahead by 36.7%
Blender Benchmark 5.2.0
CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom · samples/min, higher is better
Apple M5242.3 samples/minApple M6331.3 samples/minPosition among tested models (49)
A · 242B · 3310200400600800Each dot is one model’s median in this benchmark. The scale starts at zero, samples/min. Apple M6 is ahead by 36.7% in this benchmark.
About the measurement and source
- A · Apple M5
242.3 samples/min · community measurement, sample 54 · November 14, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 54 submissions (4 outliers excluded), interquartile range 235.94–262.52; submissions 2026-07-22 to 2026-11-09; CPU backend. Snapshot 2026-11-14.
- B · Apple M6
331.3 samples/min · community measurement, sample 26 · November 14, 2026
Blender Open Data (Blender Foundation)
Median of 26 submissions (1 outliers excluded), interquartile range 324.24–336.45; submissions 2026-09-22 to 2026-11-09; 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 (7)
| Benchmark | A | B | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blender Benchmark 4.2.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 226.4 | 321 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 4.5.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 275.7 | 352.9 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.1CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 250.5 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 4.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 248.2 | 327.1 | reference |
| Blender Benchmark 5.0.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 247.8 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 5.1.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 247.8 | — | no pair |
| Blender Benchmark 5.3.0CPU, sum of scenes monster + junkshop + classroom | 245.8 | 338.4 | reference |
Each benchmark version has its own scale: numbers are compared only within a row.
Specifications
| Specification | A · Apple M5 | B · Apple M6 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cores and clocks | |||
| CoresCores of different types may differ in performance. | 10 (4P + 6E) | 12 (6P + 6E) | B: 2 more |
| Platform | |||
| Process node | 3 nm | 2 nm | differs |
| Memory and interfaces | |||
| Memory type | Unified memory | Unified memory | equal |
| Max memory capacity | 32 GB | 32 GB | equal |
| Integrated graphics | Apple M5 (8 / 10-core GPU) | Apple M6 (12-core GPU) | differs |
Cores and clocks
Cores
A10 (4P + 6E)
B12 (6P + 6E)
B: 2 moreCores of different types may differ in performance.
Platform
Process node
A3 nm
B2 nm
differs
Memory and interfaces
Memory type
AUnified memory
BUnified memory
equalMax memory capacity
A32 GB
B32 GB
equalIntegrated graphics
AApple M5 (8 / 10-core GPU)
BApple M6 (12-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 M5: Apple M5 (8 / 10-core GPU). Apple M6: Apple M6 (12-core GPU).
Which is faster: Apple M5 or Apple M6?
Apple M6 leads in every scenario with comparable benchmarks: multi-thread performance. This does not imply an advantage in tasks without benchmarks.
See also
Data sources (2)
- Apple — specifications of Apple M5, specifications of Apple M6checked 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 4.3.0, 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.