Next-gen Apple silicon to "easily outperform Intel's future processors"

Apple M1 Pro M1 Max
Apple M1 Pro M1 Max (Image credit: Apple)

What you need to know

  • A new report says Apple is already working on the next generation of Apple silicon.
  • Insider information claims future chips will "easily outperform offerings from Intel."
  • Specifically, the third generation of Mac chips will blow Intel out of the water.

A new report claims that future generations of Apple silicon will easily outperform offerings from Intel.

From The Information:

...Apple's plans for its future Mac processors suggest those new chips are likely to easily outperform Intel's future processors for consumer PCs, previously unreported details about Apple's road map show. Apple has already begun working on the next two generations of Mac chips, which are expected to succeed the M1—the first Mac processor Apple-designed in-house as it began to move away from Intel, according to three people with direct knowledge of the plans.

The report says Apple's third-gen processors are codenamed Ibiza, Lobos, and Palma, suggesting Apple will continue to follow the roadmap of having an M1/2/3 and then an M1 Pro and M1 Max variant that packs even more power.

According to the report the third generation processor will feature in a future iPad as well as a MacBook Air. The spicier versions of the M3 will apparently feature in a MacBook Pro and other Mac desktops.

According to the report, the new chips will be made using TSMC's 3nm process in 2023 and could feature up to 40 CPU cores per chip. The report reiterates that Apple will use 5nm chips for new Apple silicon coming in 2022, so the gains over devices like the MacBook Air with M1 and 13-inch MacBook Pro with M1 will be fairly modest. Apple recently unveiled its new MacBook Pro (2021), the company's best MacBook to date.

Stephen Warwick
News Editor

Stephen Warwick has written about Apple for five years at iMore and previously elsewhere. He covers all of iMore's latest breaking news regarding all of Apple's products and services, both hardware and software. Stephen has interviewed industry experts in a range of fields including finance, litigation, security, and more. He also specializes in curating and reviewing audio hardware and has experience beyond journalism in sound engineering, production, and design.

Before becoming a writer Stephen studied Ancient History at University and also worked at Apple for more than two years. Stephen is also a host on the iMore show, a weekly podcast recorded live that discusses the latest in breaking Apple news, as well as featuring fun trivia about all things Apple. Follow him on Twitter @stephenwarwick9