The basic iPhone 16 models also seem to get the A18 chip like their Pro “brothers”
The processor differences between the phones of the same iPhone series will no longer seem to be so obvious in the future, because supposedly each model will be powered by chips of the same generation. So from the next series, the basic iPhone 16 models, instead of switching from A16 to A17 chips, should have an A18 chip, just like the Pro variants of the device.
This is claimed by analyst Jeff Pu, who specifically covers information about the Apple company and its supply chain, writes MacRumors. This is the second time that such rumors have spread for upcoming iPhones.
If the information turns out to be correct, it will really be news, given that in recent years Apple has tried to increase its average revenue per sold iPhone models precisely through the hardware differences between the “vanilla” and Pro models in the series. So it's gotten to the point where the base models are running different, older chipsets, in order for the company to save money and protect its profit margin.
It also means that we wouldn't see the A16 chip in the new iPhones at all. In the current series of Apple phones, the layout is such that the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are powered by A16 Bionic chips, while the A17 Pro chip is reserved for the Pro variants.
Apple screenshotHowever, there will still be some differences, according to analysts. Although of the same generation, different phone models will also have different chip models. Thus, the vanilla models, that is, the basic iPhone 16 models should have a basic A18 chip, and the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max should have a slightly more advanced A18 Pro chip.
It is still unclear, however, how much the basic A18 will differ from the A17 Pro chipset used by the current Pro models, which we will see, if not until the release of official information, at least among the first “serious” insider rumors.
All A18 chips will be manufactured by TSMC on its “N3E” or second-generation 3 nm manufacturing process, which will be cheaper and should produce better yields than the “N3B” used in the production of the A17 Pro, according to the Taiwanese chipmaker.