Apple M2 (8-core) vs Apple M6 (12-core)
44Single-core100
24.7Multi-core65.8
80Efficiencyspec-based100
35Platformspec-based42.2
0 spec wins — Apple M2 (8-core)10 spec wins — Apple M6 (12-core)
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M6 (12-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 77.1 to 41, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+56) and multi-core (+41). Apple M2 (8-core) still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Apple M2 (8-core)
No decisive spec advantages — this side competes on price and preference.
Reasons to pick the Apple M6 (12-core)
- Stronger single-core score: 100 vs 44
- Stronger multi-core score: 66 vs 25
- 112% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 20,676 vs 9,750
- 77% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 4,610 vs 2,600
- 60% lower process: 2 nm vs 5 nm
General
| Spec | Apple M2 (8-core) | Apple M6 (12-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022 | 2026 |
| Process | 5 nm | 2 nm+60% |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M2 (8-core) | Apple M6 (12-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 8 | 12+50% |
| Performance cores | 4 | 6+50% |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 6+50% |
| Threads | 8 | 12+50% |
| Boost clock | 3.5 GHz | 4.8 GHz+38% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M2 (8-core) | Apple M6 (12-core) |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 10-core GPU | Apple 12-core GPU |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M2 (8-core) | Apple M6 (12-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | LPDDR5X |
| Max memory | 24 GB | 32 GB+33% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M2 (8-core) | Apple M6 (12-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,600Top 57% | 4,610+77%Top 2% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 9,750Top 83% | 20,676+112%Top 15% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,580Top 86% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 8,700Top 91% | — |
| PassMark | — | 36,209Top 30% |
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