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 Google Tensor G2

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Performance per watt

10 W 15 W

About 1.5 0.97 times less performance per watt

Top features of Apple M2

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Specifications

Complete list of technical specifications

Google Tensor G2 Apple M2

CPU generation and family

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

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

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

In this block we are going to compare Google Tensor G2 vs Apple M2 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
Core architecture	hybrid (Prime / big.LITTLE) hybrid (big.LITTLE)
Overclocking	No No

Internal Graphics

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

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

Hardware codec support

Let's compare the support of video codecs between Google Tensor G2 and Apple M2. 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
VP8	Decode / Encode Decode
VP9	Decode / Encode Decode / Encode
AV1	Decode Decode
AVC	Decode / Encode Decode
VC-1	Decode / Encode Decode
JPEG	Decode / Encode Decode / Encode

Memory & PCIe

To choose the best model between Google Tensor G2 and Apple M2 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	12 GB 16 GB
Memory channels	2 (Dual Channel) 2
ECC	No No

Thermal Management

Let's find out what TDP value would be better for Google Tensor G2 or Apple M2? 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)	10 W 15 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 Google Tensor G2 and Apple M2 CPUs along with a list of ISA extensions.

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