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audio model · whisper · iOS

Can I run Whisper large-v3 on iPad Pro M4 (16GB, 1TB/2TB config)?

Compatibility verdict memory check
Yes, it runs heavy offloading

Yes. Whisper large-v3 runs on iPad Pro M4 (16GB, 1TB/2TB config) at int8 (~2.5 GB of ~12 GB usable).

Needs ~2.5 GB Device usable ~12 GB

Runs at int8 using ~2.5 GB of ~12 GB usable.

Peak memory
~2.5 GB
Usable on device
~12 GB
Device memory
16 GB
Quant
int8
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How to run it

Use whisper.cpp or faster-whisper at int8. It is light enough to run on CPU; a GPU just makes it faster.

Model whisper
Type
Speech to text
Parameters
1.55B
Peak memory
~2.5 GB at int8
License
MIT
Full Whisper large-v3 requirements →
Device iOS
Memory
16 GB unified
Usable for weights
~12 GB
Power draw
~14 W
Best runtime
MLX (via Python or Swift; mlx-lm package)
Best models for iPad Pro M4 (16GB, 1TB/2TB config) →

You could also run

Run Whisper large-v3 on other hardware

Apple M1 (8GB)8GB RAM Laptop (CPU/iGPU only)iPhone 15 ProiPhone 16iPhone 16 ProGeneric Android Phone (8GB RAM)

FAQ

Can iPad Pro M4 (16GB, 1TB/2TB config) run Whisper large-v3?

Yes. Whisper large-v3 runs on iPad Pro M4 (16GB, 1TB/2TB config) at int8 (~2.5 GB of ~12 GB usable).

How much memory does Whisper large-v3 need?

iPad Pro M4 (16GB, 1TB/2TB config) has room to spare. At int8 the realistic peak is ~2.5 GB of memory.

What do I use to run Whisper large-v3 locally?

Whisper large-v3 runs in whisper.cpp or faster-whisper (among others). It runs on CPU, so no GPU is required.

Sources

VRAM figures are sourced peak-usage anchors at the noted quant, validated 2026-08-03. See methodology.