Notebookcheck Logo

Apple M6 SoC impresses in new benchmark as it matches Apple M3 Max in multi-core test

Apple M6 is blazing fast according to new Geekbench 7 result.
ⓘ Apple
Apple M6 is blazing fast according to new Geekbench 7 result.
A new Geekbench 7 benchmark result for the Apple M6 SoC has surfaced. While both the single-core and multi-core scores of the Apple M6 appear mighty impressive, keen-eyed observers have noted that the multi-core Geekbench 7 score of the Apple M6 matches that of the Apple M3 Max.

We recently reported on a Geekbench 6 benchmark result for the Apple M6 SoC. The result showed a comfortable single-core and a notable multi-core performance gain for the Apple M6 vs. the Apple M5. The same Apple M6-powered Mac mini seems to have paid another visit to Geekbench, and the scores, especially the multi-core, are quite interesting.

This latest Apple M6 Geekbench 7 showing lists a single-core score of 4,071 and a multi-core score of 22,783. The single-core score is around 12% slower than the result we reported previously, while the multi-core score is a notable 10% better. However, Geekbench 6 and 7 results aren't directly comparable.

Apple M6 vs M3 Max

The latest Apple M6 multi-core Geekbench 7 score is higher than the Apple M3 Max. This came to our attention thanks to Iniysa on X. The Apple M3 Max, which was running inside a MacBook Pro (2023), scored 2,898 in the single-core test and 22,644 in the multi-core test. This means that the Apple M6 is a tiny bit faster than the Apple M3 Max.

The Apple M6 has a new 12-core CPU design segmented into two super cores, four performance cores, and six efficiency cores. The Apple M3 Max under discussion has two more cores, for a total of 14 cores divided into 10 performance cores and four efficiency cores. So, it is super impressive that a 12-core Apple M6 can match the multi-core performance of a 14-core Apple M3 Max.

Even though the multi-core performance of a CPU depends heavily on the total number of cores, the performance of each individual core also plays a significant part. So, Apple’s new super cores are undoubtedly playing a huge role in this multi-core speed boost. 

We are excited to get our hands on the new Apple M6-based Mac mini, which is set to go on sale starting September 22nd at a starting price of $899.

Apple M6 Geekbench 7 result.
ⓘ INIYSA
Apple M6 Geekbench 7 result.
Apple M3 Max Geekbench 7 result.
ⓘ INIYSA
Apple M3 Max Geekbench 7 result.
Google LogoAdd as a preferred source on Google
Mail Logo
> Expert reviews and news on laptops, smartphones and tech innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2026 09 > Apple M6 SoC impresses in new benchmark as it matches Apple M3 Max in multi-core test
Fawad Murtaza, 2026-09-16 (Update: 2026-09-17)