Apple Developing Next-Gen Chipset with Six Times More CPU and GPU Cores Than M3 Ultra; Three Silicon Generations Planned After M5

Apple has recently unveiled the M3 Ultra, its most advanced custom chipset to date, boasting a formidable configuration featuring a 32-core CPU and an impressive 80-core GPU. Despite the extended anticipation surrounding its announcement, the trend indicates that future iterations of this system-on-chip (SoC) will push performance boundaries even further, particularly as Apple sets its sights on successors that promise up to six times the core counts found in the M3 Ultra.

Developments in the M5, M6, and M7 Chipsets

Anticipation is building for the upcoming M5 chipset, slated for announcement later this year, which is expected to power refreshed versions of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. Yet, Apple is clearly not resting on its laurels. A recent Bloomberg report referenced by AppleInsider reveals that the tech giant is also devoting resources to the development of the M6 and M7 chips, codenamed ‘Komodo’ and ‘Borneo, ’ respectively. In addition to these, another SoC is underway, currently known by its codename ‘Sorta, ’ although details regarding its intended purpose remain elusive.

The future of the ‘Sorta’ chipset is particularly intriguing; it remains unclear whether this will be designated as the M8 or serve a different function altogether. Notably, while there were earlier reports suggesting the existence of the M4 Hidra, a lack of updates on its potential release raises questions about its future. However, Apple is exploring innovative internal solutions that may deliver an astounding increase in CPU and GPU cores—potentially achieving up to six times the capabilities of the M3 Ultra. If this experimentation proves fruitful without significant developmental hurdles, we could soon see remarkable advancements in computational power and graphics processing, along with major boosts in on-device AI functionalities.

The proactive pursuit of future chipsets is not surprising, especially as Apple continues to seek a competitive edge in an ever-evolving market. Currently, its biggest competitor is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite, yet with the existing M4 lineup—comprising the M4 Pro and M4 Max—already gaining a strong reputation, Apple clearly aims to sustain its lead.

For more on these developments, visit the original report from Bloomberg.

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