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Miguel5C13
Participant
March 6, 2026
Question

Premiere Pro on M4 Pro (2024) — is GPU underutilization still an issue in 2026?

  • March 6, 2026
  • 2 replies
  • 29 views

Hi, I'm considering buying a MacBook Pro M4 Pro 14" (12-core CPU / 20-core GPU / 24GB) for video editing and I've been reading reports from early 2025 about Premiere Pro not fully utilizing Apple Silicon on M4 — low GPU usage (30-40%), stuttered playback with Lumetri + effects, and long export times compared to DaVinci Resolve or Final Cut.

My typical workflow:

  • H.264 / HEVC footage (standard camera, no RAW)
  • 4K timelines, occasional multicam
  • Effects: Lumetri Color, Noise reduction, transitions
  • No mixed frame rates

Has this been addressed in recent Premiere updates (25.3+)? Is real-time playback with color grading and effects working properly now on M4 Pro?

Any firsthand experience from M4 Pro users running Premiere in early 2026 would be really appreciated.

Thanks

    2 replies

    S
    sash_mil0618
    Participant
    March 6, 2026

    Recent updates to Premiere Pro have improved optimization for Apple Silicon, including the M-series chips. Performance is generally better than the early 2025 reports, especially for H.264/HEVC workflows and 4K timelines. Real-time playback with Lumetri and basic effects is smoother now, though GPU usage may still not appear fully maxed compared to apps like Final Cut or DaVinci Resolve.

    Overall, many users report stable editing and faster exports on M-series Macs, but performance can still vary depending on the number of effects and plugins used.

      S
      Community Manager
      Sumeet Kumar ChoubeyCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      March 6, 2026

      Hi Miguel5C13,

      Welcome to the community! Currently, there is no confirmed GPU underutilization/performance issue specifically with M4 MacBooks. The performance, though, is dependent on several factors, such as the number of tracks, media specifications & the effects applied. Can you please confirm if you are using any third-party noise reduction effect/plugin? Also, let us know the bit depth & chroma subsampling (4:2:0 or 4:2:2) of the media that you are using. It will help us guide you properly.


      Thanks,
      Sumeet

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