Apple M3 chip tipped to launch in 3 variants; Know all about it

With the launch of the next Apple Silicon chip just around the corner, check out the different variants of the M3 chip and what they could offer.

By: HT TECH
| Updated on: Oct 31 2023, 05:30 IST
Apple's 'Scary Fast' October 30 Event: What to expect
Apple M3 chip
1/7 Apple Inc. is set to kick off its final product unveiling of the year, and it's taking place on Halloween eve, October 30, at 5 p.m. California time (5:30 a.m IST). This event, known as "Scary Fast," is a deviation from the usual in-person gatherings at Cupertino. Instead, it will be an online-only affair, raising anticipation for what Apple has in store. (@Apple)
Apple M3 chip
2/7 What to Expect at the Event: Apple has remained tight-lipped about the specifics of the event, but reports from Bloomberg suggest we can anticipate fresh MacBook Pro laptops and iMac desktops. While the design might not see radical changes, the highlight is the introduction of Apple's first M3 3-nanometer processors, a significant upgrade from the previous M2 chips. (Unsplash)
Apple M3 chip
3/7 The introduction of these new models comes at a crucial juncture for Apple. With the personal computing market rebounding after the pandemic, Apple faces competition from companies like Nvidia and Qualcomm, who are venturing into the PC market. Apple hopes these new products will drive a resurgence in sales, as it has experienced a few quarters of declining revenue. (Unsplash)
image caption
4/7 Although the Mac is no longer at the core of Apple's business, it remains a key revenue generator, contributing about 10 percent of annual sales. Wall Street estimates predict Mac sales to reach just under $8.1 billion in the holiday quarter, an improvement from the previous year, but not as robust as the pre-pandemic period. (AFP)
Apple M3 chip
5/7 MacBook Pro Upgrades: The MacBook Pro lineup will see updates with high-end models codenamed J514 and J516. These machines will retain a similar look to their predecessors but are expected to feature faster M3 Pro and M3 Max processors. These processors come in various configurations with more CPU and graphics cores, promising improved performance and gaming capabilities. (Unsplash)
Apple M3 chip
6/7 The Revamped iMac: The iMac lineup is also getting a refresh for the first time in over 900 days. Similar to the MacBook Pros, the design will remain largely unchanged, but internal enhancements and a redesigned stand are expected. These new iMacs, codenamed J433 and J434, will feature the M3 chip and offer different graphics configurations. (Apple)
Apple M3 chip
7/7 While the event will showcase MacBook Pros and iMacs, a low-end MacBook Pro with the M3 chip won't be unveiled yet. Also, new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Airs with M3 chips, codenamed J613 and J615, are in development and scheduled for release in the first half of 2024. As for updated iPads, Apple plans to debut them in the spring. Meanwhile, AirPods will receive updates in the coming years, with new models and headphones on the horizon. (AFP)
Apple M3 chip
icon View all Images
M3 is the next-generation Apple Silicon chip that is expected to power the Macs for the next few years. (Unsplash)

Apple event: After months of anticipation, the launch of the next-generation Apple Silicon chip is just around the corner. The Apple event, termed ‘Scary Fast', perhaps a reference to the new M3 chips, is set to take place at 5:00 PM PT on October 30. Likely to be named M3, the new chip is expected to bring performance upgrades while also offering better energy efficiency. It could power Apple's new Macs such as the MacBook Pro and iMac. The chip itself is tipped to come in different variants, depending on the number of cores, and it could also mark a shift to a 3-nanometer production process. Let us take a closer look at Apple's upcoming M3 chips.

Apple M3 chips: Details

In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman shared the details about the types of M3 chips that Apple is planning to introduce. While it was previously tipped that four variants of the M3 could come out, details about only three of them have been revealed so far, with no information about the M3 Ultra. Therefore, we're only expecting to see three variants of the M3 chip - M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max.

You may be interested in

MobilesTablets Laptops
5% OFF
Apple iPhone 15 Plus 256GB
  • Black
  • 6 GB RAM
  • 256 GB Storage
9% OFF
Apple iPhone 15 256GB
  • Black
  • 6 GB RAM
  • 256 GB Storage
18% OFF
Apple iPhone 12
  • Black
  • 4 GB RAM
  • 64 GB Storage
12% OFF
Apple iPhone 13
  • Blue
  • 4 GB RAM
  • 128 GB Storage

1. M3 - As per Gurman, the base M3 chipset would feature 8 CPU cores, with 4 high-performance and 4 efficiency cores. Moreover, it could feature as many as 10 GPU cores, which is the same as M2, but could offer improved memory configurations, getting better performance out of each core.

Also read
Looking for a smartphone? To check mobile finder click here.

2. M3 Pro - The higher-end M3 chip, the M3 Pro, is being reportedly tested in different configurations. As per Gurman, it could feature as many as 6 performance and 6 efficiency cores, making it 12 CPU cores in total. The GPU cores are also expected to be bumped up to 18. On the other hand, the top configuration would get 14 CPU cores (with 2 additional performance cores) and 20 GPU cores.

3. M3 Max - The M3 Max chip will reportedly feature 16 cores in one of its configurations, with 12 high-performance and 4 efficiency cores. The GPU cores could be bumped up to a mammoth 40 in its top configuration. As per Gurman, the M3 Max is the top-end chip in the M3 lineup and is expected to get 32 GPU cores in the base configuration.

Do note that all the above information is based on unofficial reports and should be taken with a pinch of salt until there is official information from Apple, which is expected to be at the Scary Fast event.

Catch all the Latest Tech News, Mobile News, Laptop News, Gaming news, Wearables News , How To News, also keep up with us on Whatsapp channel,Twitter, Facebook, Google News, and Instagram. For our latest videos, subscribe to our YouTube channel.

First Published Date: 30 Oct, 07:47 IST
NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS