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Although Apple’s M3 chip is still fresh after being released in October 2023, the talk is already turning towards the next generation; the M4 chip.
At the time of writing, Apple hasn’t even got around to updating its iPad range with the M3 chip. But the upcoming iPhone 16 release, expected to be the first to feature generative AI capabilities, has got people thinking about when Apple will make a dedicated AI-optimised chip.
Speculation and logic suggest that that will be the M4.
In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the M4 chip, its impact on the upcoming MacBook Pro models, and the exciting possibilities it brings to the table.
What is the M4 Chip?
In 2020, Apple released the M1 chip, the first in the M-series of custom-designed processor chips. The chips in this series are collectively known as Apple Silicon. Since 2020, Apple has released the M2 chip in 2022 and the M3 chip in 2023.
The M4 chip is Apple’s latest foray into the world of custom processors. Building upon its predecessor, the M4 chip will deliver even more power, efficiency, and likely some AI capabilities.
If previous patterns are followed, Apple will use the M4 in its MacBooks, iMacs, iPads and desktop computers like the Mac Mini.
When Will The M4 MacBook Pro Be Released?
Usually, the first devices to get new Apple chips are MacBooks. This has been the case with every M-series chip. Therefore, when we talk of an M4 chip release date, we are also talking about the M4 MacBook Pro release date.
According to reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple plans to release the M4 MacBook Pro models later this year. While the exact release date is yet to be confirmed, it is likely that the M4 MacBook Pro will be released at a similar time to that of the M3 MacBook Pro. Therefore, we can expect a release date around October or November 2024.
This would align with Apple’s vague tradition of annual product refreshes.
With the M3 chip, Apple waited to update the MacBook Air separately to the MacBook Pro. The M3 MacBook Air came out in February 2024, three months after the M3 MacBook Pro.
That makes it unclear whether we’ll see an M4 MacBook Air at the same time as the M4 MacBook Pro. But we can reasonably assume that if Apple only refreshed the MacBook Air as recently as this year, then it’s unlikely they will release an M4 version in 2024.
M4 Chip: Performance and Efficiency
It’s unclear at this stage just how much of an upgrade the M4 chip will be over the M3. But the release of the M3 chip can give us some idea.
The M3 was a significant upgrade over the M1 chip in terms of speed and efficiency, up to 50% faster in fact. But the gains over the M2 were much less noticeable, sitting at around 15% faster. You can read our in-depth comparison between the three chips here.
That means that the M4 chips will probably not see much of a performance boost over the M3, but will make significant gains over the M1 and M2.
That being said, the M4 will still be Apple’s fastest and most capable chip upon release. It will have a higher number of transistors than the M3, enabling faster computations and smoother multitasking. It will also likely have improved energy efficiency, contributing to longer battery lives for Apple devices.
4. M4 Chip AI Capabilities
Although there might not be any huge performance bumps, there will be one big upgrade for the M4; AI.
Apple is said to be working on improved Neural Engines (the bit responsible for running AI) for its devices and lots of new AI features for 2024 devices. It tracks, therefore, that the M4 chip will also have a focus on being optimised for AI functions.
Information is limited about the exact features of Apple AI, but there are some obvious avenues for them to go down. The first of which would be photo editing. Samsung Galaxy AI and the Google Pixel both have advanced AI photo editing capabilities, for example, removing certain objects and replacing them with a generative background.
Recent reports have also stated that Apple is working on things like AI-tailored music playlists for Apple Music and iMessage integrations.
Alongside these, there may also be additions to Final Cut and Logic that incorporate AI into the creative process. For example, suggesting video edits or arranging repetitive audio tracks.
This is all speculation. It is still unclear whether Apple is ready to go all-in on AI yet, with some suggesting that anything we see in 2024 will merely be testing the waters.
5. M4 Mac Roadmap
Surprisingly, there is a degree of confidence coming from leakers about how the M4 chip will be incorporated into Apple’s devices. Mark Gurman has predicted the following roadmap for M4 devices:
Late 2024: Entry-level M4 14-inch MacBook Pro
Late 2024: Entry-level M4 24-inch iMac
Late 2024/Early 2025: M4 Pro/M4 Max 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros
Late 2024/Early 2025: M4 and M4 Pro Mac mini
Early 2025: Entry-level M4 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air
Mid-2025: M4 Max and M4 Ultra Mac Studio
Late 2025: M4 Ultra Mac Pro
If this roadmap becomes a reality, it would be an extensive refresh for Apple. Only the M1 generation saw all of its products get an update. No other chipset has been put into the entire product range.
It also sheds some light on the M3. In the above scenario, the top-end Macs would likely skip the M3 chip entirely and move to the M4. This would contradict rumours that an M3 Ultra chip is on the way from Apple, suggesting that they see the M4 as the new baseline going forward.
This is likely due to AI. If this is the generation of chips that Apple introduces AI with, they’ll want to get as many users as possible using a device with the M4 inside as quickly as possible.
The Impact of the M4 Chip
The M4 chip’s arrival marks a significant milestone in Apple’s journey towards complete control over its hardware and software integration. By designing and manufacturing its own chips, Apple can optimize every aspect of the MacBook Pro. Most importantly, that means control over AI.
At the moment, Apple’s AI capabilities are likely to be a blend of exclusive on-device features and those licensed from third-party providers operated over the cloud. That’s fine for the short term, but Apple will want total control at some point soon to do as they please.
And that means having hardware, and software, that can take the strain. In essence, the M4 chip should herald an era of even more powerful computing, and a doubling down of the Apple Ecosystem.
AI will increase the capability of Apple devices to ‘speak’ to each other independently. An Apple Watch can already communicate with your iPhone for example, but AI would allow even more processes to be done automatically through a process called ‘Universal Control’.
Samsung is already building a smart network like this with its range of smart devices that range from smartphones to vacuum cleaners. Creating a cohesive and integrated tech experience is what all companies strive for as it boosts sales. So you can bet Apple will be going down that road with AI ASAP.
What About The M5 Chip?
In all likelihood, the M4 chip is just the beginning of a new era of AI computing for Apple. What we see at the end of this year will not be the finished product.
Instead, we’ll see yearly iterative additions to the AI capabilities of Apple’s chips as they get more and more powerful. The M5 then will almost certainly be a better judge of Apple’s AI vision than the M4.
There’s a big if in all of this though. And that concerns the commercial appeal of AI. It is yet to be seen whether AI will ever be useful enough in day-to-day tasks to actually attract people’s attention and cash.
But for now, at least, Apple is following the lead of others who have already jumped headfirst into the AI waters.
M4 Chip Conclusion
It is surprising that we seemingly have this much certainty from rumours early on about the M4 chip. When the M3 was released, it was a mad one-week panic as Apple announced an impromptu ‘Scary Fast’ event.
But now it looks like the M3 is purely transitional. To get an entirely new chipset this soon, likely manufactured with groundbreaking 2nm technology, shows Apple has a plan. They want to get Apple AI up and running as soon as they can. And that means they will want to get people using M4 devices as the new gold standard.
What are your thoughts about the M4 chip? Let me know below!
