The M2 MacBook Pro may finally have a worthy opponent

Apple Silicon's M1 and M2 chips have raised the game for computer processing

Apple M2 processor
(Image credit: Apple)

Every now and then, something new comes along that redefines the standard for how something is done. In the world of consumer computing, that came with Apple and the M1 chip. Offering unprecedented power with super low power consumption, the M1 extended battery life even when completing power hungry tasks.

Now in their second iteration – the M2 chip – Apple's in-house processors can be found powering a host of devices from the MacBook Pro M2 to the iPad Air. Safe to say, it's been a real hit.

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Qualcomm Hamoa: Everything we know

"Hamoa" is a processor that is designed to go toe-to-toe with Apple's M1. All reports so far have slated it for a first appearance in 2024, with the aim being to significantly outperform current processors and close the gap between Windows devices and Apple.

According to WinFuture, Hamoa will feature eight high-performance cores, and four energy-saving cores. That array is based on a chip called the Phoenix, designed by a company called Nuvia who Qualcomm bought for a cool $1.4 billion last year. 

Nuvia was started by a team of ex-Apple engineers, who had a hand in the current ARM based chips that Apple employs. The company has expressed a desire to overshadow the current processors on the market, promising 50-100% more performance than others in the market, which are also three-times as power hungry.

The new chip is also slated to be suitable for use with an additional graphics card.

With a few years until its expected to hit the market, I'm sure we'll find out more about it before it gets released. 

Sam Cross
Senior Staff Writer

Sam Cross is an award-winning journalist, with nine years of experience in the media industry. His work can be found in publications as diverse as Oracle Time, Metro and Last Word on Sports.

Here at T3, Sam is best known as the brand’s go-to guy for all things luxurious – from exquisite watches to fine fragrances; the latest performance vehicles to intricate audio equipment, and more.

He’s often found travelling around the world to test new launches, complete with high-end backpacks and suitcases in tow. And when he’s not adding to his air miles, Sam can be found in front of a video camera, bringing his distinctive brand of storytelling to T3’s social media channels.

Sam also loves all things analogue including listening to music on vinyl or cassette, and photography on vintage film cameras.