MacBook Pro 2023 vs MacBook Pro 2021: Apple silently launched the 14-inch and 16-inch 2023 MacBook Pro and it’s the successor to the 14-inch and 16-inch 2021 MacBook Pro. Without any event or teaser from the company, it might be difficult for you to know the differences between these two Apple machines. And considering that both machines have similar weights, sizes, and displays, makes it even harder.
So, in this article, I’ll save you the stress of going through the many specs of the machines listed on Apple’s website. I’ll highlight the differences and similarities between these machines for you in this MacBook Pro 2023 vs MacBook Pro 2021 specs comparison article. A Close look at the specs of the MacBook Pro 2023 and MacBook Pro 2021 reveals four areas where the 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro 2023 is an upgrade to the MacBook Pro 2021.
See Also: Mac Mini 2023 Price in UK and Availability
Table of Contents
MacBook Pro 2023 vs MacBook Pro 2021: Differences
The table below shows the differences between both devices at a glance.
| Specs | MacBook Pro 2023 | MacBook Pro 2021 |
| Chipset | Apple M2 Pro Apple M2 Max | Apple M1 Pro Apple M1 Max |
| CPU | 12-core | 10-core |
| GPU | Up to 38-core | Up to 32-core |
| RAM | Up to 96GB | Up to 64GB |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Battery | Up to 22 hrs battery life | Up to 21 hrs battery life |
See Also: Apple iPad 2022 vs iPad Mini 2021: Which is better
Chipset: M2 Pro and M2 Max are faster Chipsets
As seen in the table above, both devices are powered by different chipsets and this is the most significant difference between these devices. The 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro 2023 have better performance thanks to the new Apple M2 Pro and Apple M2 Max chipsets. The chipsets in the 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro 2023 laptops have 4 efficiency cores while those of the 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro 2021 laptops have 2 efficiency cores.
The chipsets in the new MacBook also have more GPU cores and more Cache. So, when it comes to performance according to Apple, the CPU of the 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro 2023 is about 20% faster and its GPU is about 30% more powerful than the 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro 2021.
See Also: Apple M2 Pro and M2 Max Chipsets: 20% Faster CPU, 30% Faster GPU & More
RAM: MacBook Pro 2023 has a bigger RAM
The MacBook Pro 2023 offers up to 96GB of RAM which is even better than the already impressive 64GB RAM of the MacBook Pro 2021. Users can enjoy more RAM options if they decide to go for the 96GB variant of the 2023 MacBook Pro.
Battery: Longer Battery Life in the 2023 MacBook Pro
The 2023 MacBook Pro has longer battery life than the 2021 MacBook Pro. This is because of the extra efficiency cores that cool down the temperature of the device. Although the 21 Hrs battery life of the 2021 MacBook Pro is great, the battery of the 2023 MacBook Pro lasts even longer.
Connectivity: Faster Wired and Wireless Connectivity
The 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro brings faster wired and wireless connectivity. The new MacBook Pro features Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 which are faster wireless connectivity than the Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 in the 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro 2021. Apple also improved the wired connectivity of the 2023 MacBook Pro. Its HDMI port now supports 8K displays up to 60Hz and 4K displays up to 240Hz.
See Also: Apple iPad 2022 vs iPad Pro 2022: Which is better for you
MacBook Pro 2023 vs MacBook Pro 2021: Similarities
The differences above do not mean that there are no similarities between these Apple machines. In fact, there are more similarities than there are differences, and the table below highlights all the similarities between the 16-inch Apple MacBook Pro 2023 and the 16-inch MacBook Pro 2021.
| Specs | MacBook Pro 2023 | MacBook Pro 2021 |
| Display Size | 16.2-inch 14.2-inch | 16.2-inch 14.2-inch |
| Feature | mini-LED backlit | mini-LED backlit |
| Panel | Liquid Retina XDR | Liquid Retina XDR |
| XDR brightness | 1600 nits peak | 1600 nits peak |
| ProMotion Tech | Yes (120Hz) | Yes (120Hz) |
| Camera | 1080p FaceTime HD | 1080p FaceTime HD |
| TouchID | YES | YES |
| Height | 0.66 inch 0.61 inch | 0.66 inch 0.61 inch |
| Width | 14.01 inches 12.31 inches | 14.01 inches 12.31 inches |
| Weight | 4.7 pounds (2.1 kg) 3.5 pounds (1.6 kg) | 4.7 pounds (2.1 kg) 3.5 pounds (1.6 kg) |
| Ports | HDMI 4 (USB-C) ports SDXC card slot | HDMI 4 (USB-C) ports SDXC card slot |
| Siri | YES | YES |
Buy Apple MacBook Pro 2023
| MacBook Pro 2023 | Price |
| Buy on Amazon | $2,499.00 |
| Buy on Amazon (EUR) | €2,999.00 |
| Buy on Amazon (UK) | £2,699.00 |
Buy Apple MacBook Pro 2021
| Apple MacBook Pro 2021 | Price |
| Buy on Amazon | $2,349.00 |
| Buy on Amazon (EUR) | €2,896.34 |
| Buy on Amazon (UK) | £2,349.00 |
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