Apple's M2 chip - what to expect from the next Apple Silicon evolution
Apple has yet to make the "M2" processor official, but details have already started to emerge about what to expect in Apple's second-generation Apple Silicon chip.

Apple's rumored M2 chipset
Likely arriving later this year, Apple's M2 chip will be the successor to Apple's first Mac-specific chip -- the M1. Apple did release two variants on the M1, dubbed the M1 Pro and M1 Max that made their way to the redesigned MacBook Pro, which will still be more capable than the M2.
While we await Apple's announcement, here's what we expect to see from the M2.
Apple's M1 is already a capable CPU, so a marginal speed increase isn't surprising.
Despite the meager CPU improvements, Apple looks to be beefing up the graphics. The new M2 will likely move from the currently-available seven or eight cores to a nine-core GPU with a ten-core option.
Fortunately, the M1 Pro and M1 Max will be more capable than the rumored M2. Both M1 Pro and M1 Max still have ten-core CPUs, two more than the rumored M2. The M1 Pro can have either a 14 or 16-core GPU, while the M1 Max can have either a 24 or 32-core GPU.
The M1 Pro and M1 Max have other benefits compared to the M1, and some of these will likely carry over to the M2. The M1 Pro and M1 Max have higher memory bandwidths and the ability to support more memory. The M1 Max can handle up to 64GB memory, while the M1 is capped at 16GB.
The M1 Pro and M1 Max have dedicated video encoders for video production. There is the possibility Apple may bring these to the entry-level M2. However, it seems more likely the company will retain these for the high-end chips.
Then we predict Apple will release the newly-redesigned MacBook Air, entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro, and possibly a new entry-level Mac mini.
It seems likely that the new iPad Pro will gain the M2 as well, just as the current generation has the M1.
Of course, all of this is subject to any number of delays. None of this is set and stone and purely based on rumors. While we believe this is what's most likely at the moment, only time will tell what Apple's plans are.
Read on AppleInsider

Apple's rumored M2 chipset
Likely arriving later this year, Apple's M2 chip will be the successor to Apple's first Mac-specific chip -- the M1. Apple did release two variants on the M1, dubbed the M1 Pro and M1 Max that made their way to the redesigned MacBook Pro, which will still be more capable than the M2.
While we await Apple's announcement, here's what we expect to see from the M2.
New chip, better graphics
The M2 will likely take after the M1, utilizing a 5nm process and equipped with an eight-core CPU design. Rumors have said that the M2 will have a slightly higher clock speed on its cores, though not a dramatic uptick.Apple's M1 is already a capable CPU, so a marginal speed increase isn't surprising.
Despite the meager CPU improvements, Apple looks to be beefing up the graphics. The new M2 will likely move from the currently-available seven or eight cores to a nine-core GPU with a ten-core option.
M2 compared to the M1 Pro and M1 Max
With the M2 increasing in speed and graphics performance, many inquiring minds will be interested in comparing it to Apple's high-end chipsets.Fortunately, the M1 Pro and M1 Max will be more capable than the rumored M2. Both M1 Pro and M1 Max still have ten-core CPUs, two more than the rumored M2. The M1 Pro can have either a 14 or 16-core GPU, while the M1 Max can have either a 24 or 32-core GPU.
The M1 Pro and M1 Max have other benefits compared to the M1, and some of these will likely carry over to the M2. The M1 Pro and M1 Max have higher memory bandwidths and the ability to support more memory. The M1 Max can handle up to 64GB memory, while the M1 is capped at 16GB.
The M1 Pro and M1 Max have dedicated video encoders for video production. There is the possibility Apple may bring these to the entry-level M2. However, it seems more likely the company will retain these for the high-end chips.
When will we see the M2?
We expect Apple to release the M2 in the second half of 2022. Apple will probably continue its rollout of machines with the M1 Pro and M1 Max. Namely the rumored 27-inch iMac and high-end Mac mini.Then we predict Apple will release the newly-redesigned MacBook Air, entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro, and possibly a new entry-level Mac mini.
It seems likely that the new iPad Pro will gain the M2 as well, just as the current generation has the M1.
Of course, all of this is subject to any number of delays. None of this is set and stone and purely based on rumors. While we believe this is what's most likely at the moment, only time will tell what Apple's plans are.
Read on AppleInsider
Comments
Sunday filler of zero value.
I think the base chips M1, M2, M3 will be a yearly upgrade (after the transition is finished) and the “pro” variants will be updated every 2 years or so.
Volume shouldn’t be as big an issue due to the fact that these chips share the same cores as the A-series.
“Rumors have said that the M2 will have a slightly higher clock speed on its cores, though not a dramatic uptick.
Apple's M1 is already a capable CPU, so a marginal speed increase isn't surprising.
Despite the meager CPU improvements, Apple looks to be beefing up the graphics. The new M2 will likely move from the currently-available seven or eight cores to a nine-core GPU with a ten-core option.”
If true then one generation in and they are essentially where they were with Intel plus AMD for better graphics. Incremental updates each year presented as an “amazing new graphics chip” giving the minimum they can get away with to keep updates ticking. Hopefully the rumors are wrong and M2 blows off the doors in every way.
So the A16 will tell us more about the difference between the M1 cores versus the M2 cores than the A14 versus A15 comparison, which is what is driving the current tendency to say there won’t be a significant bump.
It really don't take much to bump single core performance by 15%. Faster RAM, larger SLC, 5% faster IPC, 5% faster clock. For multi-core, they can do 6+2 p-core to e-core config, declock the p-cores, and call it a day. If it is 4+4, maybe 9000 points in GB5 multi which is pretty good too. For GPU, they already have 5 GPU cores in the A15. All it takes is 15% g-core improvement and 10 g-cores to get a +40% improvement over the M1 GPU, plus the 50% bandwidth improvement from LPDDR5 and larger SLC.
M-series aren't "based on" A-series or vice versa. They each share IP from a given generation. Saying otherwise just causes confusion.
Use the space for better bandwidth generally, more RAM support and more GPU Cores on this "base" SOC.
The larger chips are then on-die modular starting with the same base and adding 4p + 16g each step. Slicing all the variations out of the wafer based on testing?
More useless speculation.
I get the argument for it, but the idea that Apple is going to suddenly start adhering to a regular, predictable refresh and/or redesign schedule for Macs is something that has never been the case in the past. Expecting that to suddenly change just because Apple is designing its own silicon may or may not be a reasonable expectation. But it's definitely not yet "reality" (to quote Muthuk_vanalingam's response to Dewme above).