Apple M2 VS Google Tensor G2 — differences in specs

Comparing Apple M2 vs Google Tensor G2

Comparison of video cards Apple M2 vs Google Tensor G2 in benchmarks and specifications.

Differences Specifications Benchmarks

Differences

Top features of Apple M2

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Top features of Google Tensor G2

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Performance per watt

10 W 15 W

About 0.67 times less performance per watt

Specifications

Complete list of technical specifications

Apple M2 Google Tensor G2

CPU generation and family

Let's find out which one of Apple M2 and Google Tensor G2 is of a more recent generation, and what segment it belongs to.

Specification	Value
Name	Apple M2 Google Tensor G2
Segment	Mobile Mobile
Family	Apple M series Google Tensor
Generation	2 2
CPU group	Apple M2 Google Tensor G2
Predecessor	-- Google Tensor

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

In this block we are going to compare Apple M2 vs Google Tensor G2 by main technical specifications: number of cores and threads, base and maximum frequencies, process technology and cache size. The higher these specifications are, the more powerful your CPU will be.

Specification	Value
Overclocking	No No
Core architecture	hybrid (big.LITTLE) hybrid (Prime / big.LITTLE)

Internal Graphics

Common specifications for integrated graphics cards in Apple M2 and Google Tensor G2 along with supported interfaces and connection options. This block has no effect on the final efficiency of the CPU.

Specification	Value
GPU name	Apple M2 (8 Core) ARM Mali-G710 MP7
GPU frequency	3.50 GHz 0.90 GHz
GPU (Turbo)	No turbo No turbo
Execution units	128 7
Max. GPU Memory	16 GB --
Max. displays	3 1
Generation	2 Vallhall 3
Technology	5 nm 4 nm
Release date	Q1/2022 Q2/2021

Hardware codec support

Let's compare the support of video codecs between Apple M2 and Google Tensor G2. Hardware support of video decoding by embedded graphics cards directly affects the speed and quality of rendering videos.

Specification	Value
h265 / HEVC (8 bit)	Decode / Encode Decode / Encode
h265 / HEVC (10 bit)	Decode / Encode Decode / Encode
h264	Decode / Encode Decode / Encode
VP9	Decode / Encode Decode / Encode
VP8	Decode Decode / Encode
AV1	Decode Decode
AVC	Decode Decode / Encode
VC-1	Decode Decode / Encode
JPEG	Decode / Encode Decode / Encode

Memory & PCIe

To choose the best model between Apple M2 and Google Tensor G2 you need to pay special attention to memory type, clock frequency, multi-channel features, and PCIe version. The higher these numbers are, the better your CPU will be. Keep in mind that the maximum memory and frequency may also depend on the model of the motherboard.

Specification	Value
Memory type	LPDDR5-5500 LPDDR5-5500
Max. Memory	16 GB 12 GB
ECC	No No
Memory channels	2 2 (Dual Channel)

Thermal Management

Let's find out what TDP value would be better for Apple M2 or Google Tensor G2? The Thermal Design Power (TDP) indicates the maximum amount of heat that should be dissipated by the chip cooling system. However, the value of TDP gives only a rough indication of the real power consumption of the CPU.

Specification	Value
TDP (PL1)	15 W 10 W
TDP up	20 W --
TDP down	10 W --

Technical details

Here you can find a comparison of 2nd and 3rd level cache sizes for Apple M2 and Google Tensor G2 CPUs along with a list of ISA extensions.

Specification	Value
Instruction set (ISA)	ARMv8-A64 (64 bit) ARMv8-A64 (64 bit)
Virtualization	None None
ISA extensions	Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation
L2-Cache	16.00 MB 8.00 MB
L3-Cache	-- 4.00 MB
Architecture	M2 G2
Technology	5 nm 4 nm
Socket	N/A N/A
Release date	Q1/2022 Q4/2022