Apple M4 Max (16-core) vs Apple M6 (12-core)
91.3Single-core100
82.1Multi-core65.8
93.3Efficiencyspec-based100
60Platformspec-based42.2
5 spec wins — Apple M4 Max (16-core)5 spec wins — Apple M6 (12-core)
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M4 Max (16-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 82.8 to 77.1, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+16). Apple M6 (12-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 M4 Max (16-core)
- Stronger multi-core score: 82 vs 66
- 300% higher Max memory: 128 GB vs 32 GB
- 100% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 6
- 33% higher cores: 16 vs 12
- 33% higher threads: 16 vs 12
Reasons to pick the Apple M6 (12-core)
- Stronger single-core score: 100 vs 91
- 50% higher Efficiency cores: 6 vs 4
- 33% lower process: 2 nm vs 3 nm
- 15% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 4,610 vs 4,020
General
| Spec | Apple M4 Max (16-core) | Apple M6 (12-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2026 |
| Process | 3 nm | 2 nm+33% |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M4 Max (16-core) | Apple M6 (12-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16+33% | 12 |
| Performance cores | 12+100% | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 6+50% |
| Threads | 16+33% | 12 |
| Boost clock | 4.5 GHz | 4.8 GHz+6% |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M4 Max (16-core) | Apple M6 (12-core) |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 40-core GPU | Apple 12-core GPU |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M4 Max (16-core) | Apple M6 (12-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5X-8533 | LPDDR5X |
| Max memory | 128 GB+300% | 32 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M4 Max (16-core) | Apple M6 (12-core) |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 4,020Top 8% | 4,610+15%Top 2% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 26,300+27%Top 4% | 20,676Top 15% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,230Top 8% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 28,100Top 17% | — |
| PassMark | — | 36,209Top 30% |
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