According to a research note from analyst Jeff Pu, all four models of the iPhone 16 lineup will come equipped with A18-branded chips. Pu, who covers companies within Apple’s supply chain, revealed in the note obtained by MacRumors that the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max will all feature the A18 chip. These chips will be built on TSMC’s second-generation 3nm chip fabrication process, known as N3E.
The move from the A16 Bionic chip in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus to the A18 chip in the iPhone 16 lineup is a significant jump in terms of performance and capabilities. The A18 chip is expected to offer improved processing power, energy efficiency, and overall performance compared to its predecessor.
TSMC’s N3E chip fabrication process is less expensive and has improved yield compared to the first-generation N3B process used for the A17 Pro chip in the iPhone 15 Pro models. This indicates that Apple is likely focused on optimizing efficiency and cost-effectiveness for its upcoming flagship devices.
It is important to note that Pu’s predictions are educated guesses, and it remains to be seen if Apple will ultimately use the A18 and A18 Pro branding for its iPhone 16 chips. In recent years, Apple has often used different marketing names for its chips compared to their technical designations. Therefore, it is possible that Apple may opt to brand the iPhone 16 chips as the A17 and A18 Pro instead.
Pu has a track record of accurate predictions regarding Apple’s product plans. He was the first source to report that Apple had abandoned its plans for solid-state buttons on the iPhone 15 Pro models. Additionally, he accurately revealed that the iPhone 15 Pro models would feature an increased 8GB of RAM and that the iPhone 15 Pro Max would have a higher starting price than its predecessor.
Although the iPhone 16 lineup is still a year away from launch, these early insights provide a glimpse into the potential advancements and enhancements that Apple has in store for its next generation of smartphones. As always, Apple fans and technology enthusiasts anticipate further announcements and updates from the company as the release date approaches.