MacBook Pro M3 Vs. M4: What’s New in Apple Latest Upgrade

Apple made quite an impression back in May when, for the first time, it launched its next-generation processor on the iPad Pro rather than a Mac desktop or laptop. Apart from some iPad-pro related limitations, the M4 chip has proved itself quite capable. Now that the new MacBook Pro line-up is officially here, a M3 vs M4 MacBook comparison is to be expected.

The M4 MacBook Pro sports no obvious design changes. However, it benefits from several underlying changes with the biggest upgrade, of course, being the more powerful M4 chip. That means that this laptop is not only faster but lasts longer too. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Let’s take a look at how the M4 MacBook Pro stacks up against the M3 device.

Apple M4 vs M3 Chip Comparison

The Apple M4 chip is a revolutionary upgrade for the entire MacBook Pro lineup. The newest member also comes in three flavors, just like the MacBook Pro M3, that is the M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips. Apple claims that the M4 family has the world’s fastest CPU core that is capable of unparalleled single-threaded performance and faster multi-thread speeds.

Whereas the previous Apple M3 chip was built on four main processor cores, the new Apple M4 chip comes in both three- and four-core configurations. In the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models, the M3 chip combined its four high-performance cores with four efficiency cores bringing the total CPU count to eight.

Apple's M4 chip bumps the number of efficiency cores up to six, bringing the total tally of CPU cores to nine or ten depending on which configuration you go for. Both modems sport the same 10 GPU cores, the same as their predecessor the M2 chip.

While both the M3 and M4 chips have a 16-core Neural Engine, their difference in clock speeds-4.3 GHz for the M4 and 4.05 GHz for the M3-means that the Macbook Pro 2024 offers faster processing, easier multitasking and greater efficiency when running resource-heavy programs.

The M4 also shines in terms of the number of transistors. It has 28 billion transistors up from the M3’s 25 billion. This means that you’ll enjoy a more accurate display when playing games and performing similar actions on your device.

MacBook Pro M3 vs M4: Design

The MacBook Pro M4 design remains largely unchanged. Both the M3 and M4 models measure 0.61 inches x 12.31 inches x 8.71 inches and weigh either 1.55Kg or 1.61Kg. However, you can now get Apple’s new MacBook in Space Black as well as Silver. Comparatively, the M3 model comes in either bust or silver. Kinda feels like Apple simply tweaked a few things under the hood, threw in a new color and called it quits, huh? Well, not exactly!

The M4 MacBook Pro now comes with a third Thunderbolt 5 port, a nice upgrade from the M3, which only had two. This extra port gives you more freedom when connecting external displays. The MacBook Pros with the M4 Pro and M4 chips use Thunderbolt 5 ports instead. This is the newest version of the technology. It increases data transfer speeds to 120GB/s.

As for the rest of the ports, they stay pretty much the same across both models, including a 3.5mm headphone jack, an SD card slot, MagSafe charging, and an HDMI port. So while you get some added flexibility with the Thunderbolt port, the core connectivity options remain consistent.

MacBook Pro M3 vs M4: Display

The MacBook Pro M4 keeps a lot of what we loved about the M3’s display. Both models sport a Liquid Retina XDR display, with a 3,024 x 1,964 pixels resolution, 16:10 aspect ratio and a pixel density of 254 ppi.

However, there are a couple of differences worth mentioning. The M4 MacBook Pro has a peak SDR brightness of 1,000 nits, compared to 600 nits on the M3 MacBook Pro. Additionally, the M4 model offers the option for a nano-texture display, a feature also available on the iPad Pro and iMac. This is a handy addition that you’ll probably appreciate when using your MacBook Pro outdoor as it reduces glares and reflections. Although it’s not the OLED option some were hoping for, it’s still a great choice to have available at checkout.

MacBook Pro M3 vs M4: Camera

One difference that you’ll notice when comparing these two laptops is the camera. While the M3 MacBook Pro comes with a solid 1080p FaceTime HD camera, the M4 kicks it up a notch with a 12MP Center Stage camera. This new camera doesn’t just offer better resolution - it has an automatic panning feature that lets you stay centered in the frame during video calls. Perfect for those long virtual meetings or classes, this upgrade ensures you are always in focus no matter how much you move around.

In addition to the Center Stage feature, the M4 models come with Desk View, which lets you show what’s on your desk to others during a video call. If you’ve ever had to awkwardly hold up something in front of the camera, this feature will make your life a tad bit easier.

Though Face ID is still missing on this Apple Laptop, the 12MP camera in the M4 offers an overall enhanced experience for video conferencing and content creation. If you’re someone who relies heavily on video calls, the M4 MacBook Pro’s camera could be a compelling reason to upgrade from the M3 model. It’s a great leap forward in making your online presence clearer and more professional.

MacBook Pro M3 vs M4: Apple Intelligence

Apple positioned the M4 chip to take Apple Intelligence to new heights, with the company making claims that this chip is three times more powerful for AI workload processes than its predecessor. There aren't a lot of completely new features, but Apple did reassure us that users of the MacBook Pro M4 will see greater benefits.

Writing Tools is arguably one of the best features thus far. It’s like having a personal editor as it will also proofread, rewrite, or even change the tone of your manuscript, email, or whatever you write.

We can’t wait to see how Writing Tools, the new Siri, and other Apple Intelligence upgrades on the M4 MacBooks will stack up against the M3 models. If these new AI capabilities really do turn out to be all they promise and more, our view of generative AI might just change.

MacBook Pro M3 vs M4: Storage

We finally got a memory upgrade as Apple dropped its 8GB memory option. This always felt like a bit of a letdown given how much you need to part with to get your hands on one of these devices. Now, all the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pros come with 24GB of memory upgradable to 32GB. However, most users can make do with the base memory, so you shouldn’t worry too much about upgrading.

Another big win this year is the M4 chip's unified memory, which is both faster and more efficient compared to traditional RAM. It is built into the M4 chip and allows apps to quickly share data between the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine. This enhancement is made possible by the fact that the CPU and GPU share the same memory. Both MacBooks offer up to 2TB SSD.

MacBook Pro M3 vs M4: Battery Life

As expected, this year’s MacBook Pro promises longer battery life, all thanks to the new Apple chip. According to Apple, the M4 MacBook Pro can last up to 24 hours on a single charge, compared to the M3 model's 22-hour rating for video playback.

The actual battery life may differ slightly in real-word use. But, if Apple’s claims are true, the MacBook Pro M4 should theoretically beat the M3 in terms of battery longevity. You’ll especially appreciate this upgrade if you work long hours or travel a lot as you will get to focus more on getting things done and less on finding a charger.

MacBook Pro M3 vs M4: Price and Release Date

The new MacBook Pro release date was October 30, 2024, with pre-orders opening on the same day. The devices began shipping shortly after, on November 8.

MacBook Pro rumors hinted that the M4 model’s pricing would be marginally more compared to the M3. We’ve got good news, though. Despite the underlying upgrades, the MacBook Pro M4 has the same starting price as its M3 predecessors.

You can snag the 14-inch M4 model starting from A$2,499. With this, you will get a 10-Core CPU, 10-Core GPU, 16GB of unified Memory and 512GB SSD storage. If you're looking for more storage, be prepared to pay an extra $300 for 1TB. For those interested in upgrading to 24GB of unified memory, the price jumps to a hefty A$3,099.00.

Obviously, these devices don’t come cheap. So for those on a budget a refurbished laptop may be a better fit-and boy don’t we have plenty of options. The 2024 model might not be in stock yet. But you can easily snag an older refurbished MacBook Pro for starting price of A$619. These devices let you experience the magic of Apple without straining your wallet.

Wrap Up

So is it worth upgrading the 2024 MacBook Pro in 2025? Well, we think there’s a lot to love about the new model. You won’t get that much in terms of design differences. However, the M4 MacBook Pro’s brighter and more adaptable display, faster processor, and extended battery life are worth upgrades especially for people in demanding fields.

If you are after a laptop with beefier hardware, more power for AI-enabled tasks, and offers you value for money then you should probably upgrade to the M4 model. That said, the MacBook Pro M3 is no slouch either and most average users are unlikely to feel too much of a difference in performance.

Looking to save some money? Check out our MacBook deals. All our devices come fully tested and offer great value without compromising on quality. Whether you choose the M3 or M2 model, a refurbished MacBook from Phonebot offers a great balance of performance and price.