Technology enthusiasts have been closely following the latest developments in the world of processors, as companies like Apple and Qualcomm continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Two of the most talked-about processors are the Apple M1 chip and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.

While these processors are designed for different devices and use cases, they both boast impressive specs and advanced technologies that make them stand out from the crowd. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at each chip and examine its features and capabilities in detail.

“The Apple M1 chip is a more powerful and versatile processor than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, designed for use in a wider range of devices and with better integration with Apple’s software and hardware ecosystem. However, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is optimized for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets and offers advanced features like a 5G modem and wireless connectivity.”

Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on your specific needs and preferences.

CPU and GPU

The Apple M1 Chip offers eight cores divided into four performance cores and four power-efficiency cores. The big cores offer 192 KB instruction cache, 128 KB data cache, and 12 MB shared L2 cache, while the efficiency cores offer only 128 KB instruction cache, 64 KB data cache, and 4 MB shared cache. The efficiency cores (E cluster) clock with 600 – 2064 MHz, and the performance cores (P cluster) clock with 600 – 3204 MHz.

On the other hand, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and Apple M1 Chip offer different configurations. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 integrates a “Prime Core” based on the ARM Cortex-X2 architecture clocked at up to 3 GHz, three performance cores based on the Cortex-A710 architecture clocked at up to 2.5 GHz, and four energy-saving cores based on the ARM Cortex-A510 architecture clocked at up to 1.8 GHz. All cores can use the shared 6 MB level 3 cache. 

When it comes to graphics, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 integrates the Adreno 730, offering a 30% graphics boost compared to the previous Adreno 660. Meanwhile, the Apple M1 Chip offers an integrated graphics card with 8 cores (7 cores in the entry-level MacBook Air) and a peak performance of 2.6 teraflops.

Performance and Efficiency

Coming to the Apple M1 Chip, it includes a powerful 16-core neural engine that provides a peak performance of 11 TOPS for AI hardware acceleration. This is an impressive feat, as the M1 is available in two TDP variants, a passive-cooled 10-watt variant for the MacBook Air and an active-cooled faster variant for the MacBook Pro 13 and Mac Mini. This means that the M1 is capable of delivering sustained high performance even under heavy workloads, thanks to its advanced cooling system.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is a powerful processor that offers a significant improvement in AI performance. Its bigger Tensor engine provides up to 4x faster AI performance compared to its predecessor. Additionally, all of the processor’s cores can utilize the shared 6 MB level 3 cache, leading to a 20% increase in performance and 30% power savings.

Other Features

The Apple M1 Chip offers a powerful Thunderbolt / USB 4 controller that allows for lightning-fast transfer speeds and connection to a variety of external devices. This makes it easier for users to connect their MacBook to external monitors, storage devices, and other peripherals.

Additionally, the M1 chip is manufactured using advanced 5 nm technology at TSMC, which is the most advanced semiconductor manufacturing process currently available. This allows for the inclusion of an astounding 16 billion transistors in the M1 chip, enabling it to deliver unprecedented performance and power efficiency.

On the other hand, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 includes a powerful Snapdragon X65 5G modem, which offers faster transfer rates of up to 10 Gbps download and 3 Gbps upload. This enables users to enjoy faster browsing, downloading, and streaming speeds, as well as faster upload times for sharing files and media.

Also, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 features FastConnect 6900, which supports the latest WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 standards for fast and reliable wireless connectivity. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is manufactured using Samsung’s advanced 4 nm technology, which enables the inclusion of 16 billion transistors in the chip.

Apple M1 Chip vs Snapdragon 8 gen 1: Specification 

Here are some of the technical differences between the Apple M1 Chip and the Snapdragon 8 gen 1:

Apple M1 Chip vs Snapdragon 8 gen 1: Benchmark Ranking

Please note that these benchmark scores are subject to variations depending on the specific device model, software optimizations, and other factors.

Final Verdict

Both the Apple M1 chip and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 are powerful processors that have their own unique features and capabilities. The M1 chip has been widely praised for its performance, efficiency, and integration with Apple’s software and hardware ecosystem. It boasts eight cores divided into four performance cores and four power-efficiency cores and an integrated graphics card with 8 cores and a peak performance of 2.6 teraflops.

It also includes a powerful Thunderbolt / USB 4 controller and a 16-core neural engine that provides a peak performance of 11 TOPS for AI hardware acceleration. The M1 chip is manufactured using advanced 5 nm technology and has 16 billion transistors.

On the other hand, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is primarily designed for use in mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. It integrates a “Prime Core” based on the ARM Cortex-X2 architecture, three performance cores based on the Cortex-A710 architecture, and four energy-saving cores based on the ARM Cortex-A510 architecture. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 also offers Adreno 730 for graphics, a Snapdragon X65 5G modem, and FastConnect 6900 for wireless connectivity.

In terms of benchmark scores, the Apple M1 chip outperforms the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in both single-core and multi-core tests. However, it’s important to note that benchmark scores can vary depending on the specific device model, software optimizations, and other factors. Ultimately, the choice between the two processors would depend on your specific needs and preferences.