M3 Pro has a single-core score of 3,035 and a multi-core score of 15,173

The recent unveiling of Apple’s 14/16-inch MacBook Pro models has been met with subdued enthusiasm due to the modest enhancements in functionality. Furthermore, the new generation M3 series chips failed to deliver any substantial surprises. Apple’s press releases have made somewhat oblique comparisons to the M1 series, and the M3 Pro’s benchmarking results have been released, showcasing a rather modest performance improvement.

The M3 Pro scores, discovered in the GeekBench 6 database by eagle-eyed netizens, likely stem from an inadvertent or deliberate leak from the initial batch of media reviews. The M3 Pro has outperformed its predecessor, the M2 Pro, with a 14% increase in single-core benchmarks—a commendable leap attributed to the advanced 3nm process technology enabling higher clock speeds. However, the multi-core score sees a mere 6% increase, a marginal enhancement that users jokingly refer to as ‘squeezing the toothpaste.’ Of course, these are theoretical benchmarks that await further verification through additional testing software and real-world applications. Additionally, Apple’s upgrades in the GPU, NPU, and multimedia engine domains have not been reflected.

The relatively minor increase in multi-core performance isn’t entirely surprising, given that the M3 Pro fundamentally diverges in core design from the M2 Pro. Both chips boast 12 cores, yet the M3 Pro features an evenly split configuration of six performance cores and six efficiency cores, as opposed to the M2 Pro’s eight performance cores plus four efficiency cores. Technically, Apple has managed to eke out a slight performance improvement with fewer large cores, which could be considered progress. However, from a consumer’s perspective, the unchanged pricing despite reduced core counts is perplexing.

Apple’s marketing strategy for the M3 Pro chip seems to target users who are currently on the M1 Pro or earlier Intel chip models, rather than those who have recently purchased M2 Pro models earlier this year. Although the new series has not officially gone on sale yet, pre-sale price reductions on e-commerce platforms indicate a lack of confidence among sellers.