iOS 18 Code Leak Reveals All-New Chip Coming to iPhones, Apple TV, and HomePod Mini

[MacRumors]

A new leak has revealed several of Apple's next-generation chips coming to future iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and HomePod mini models.

Last month, an individual in China uploaded a YouTube video (with English subtitles) of an alleged iPhone 16 engineering prototype from last year. According to a MacRumors tipster, the device is running an internal build of iOS 18 from March 2024, but it is a non-UI version, meaning that you cannot load the Home Screen or other interfaces.

Within the code for this internal iOS 18 build, there are codenames and identifiers for many upcoming Apple chips, according to the video and our tipster:

• A19 chip for the iPhone 17 Air, and likely iPhone 17e
• A19 Pro chip for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max
• M5 chip for the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac, iPad Pro, and Vision Pro
• M5 Pro chip for the MacBook Pro and Mac mini
• S11 chip for the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3
• C2 modem for the iPhone 17e, likely the entire iPhone 18 lineup, and more
• Proxima, the codename for an all-new Apple-designed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip for the next Apple TV and HomePod mini models and more

Most of those are obvious one-number-higher-than-currently chips, but the all-new "Proxima" chip is a little more interesting. The chip was first reported on last year by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, and he said that it would be included in new Apple TV and HomePod mini models launching later this year. He also expects at least some iPhone 17 models to use the chip, along with future iPad and Mac models starting next year.

Similar to how Apple ditched Intel for Mac processors, and how it has started transitioning away from Qualcomm for iPhone modems, the company's planned Wi-Fi and Bluetooth combo chip will allow it to replace a chip that is currently supplied by Broadcom. Apple's chip is expected to support Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7, which would be an upgrade for the Apple TV (currently on Wi-Fi 6) and the HomePod mini (currently on Wi-Fi 4).

Our tipster also claimed that Apple has tested a Mac Pro with an M3 Ultra chip, but it is unclear if it will be released at this point. They also uncovered evidence that Apple has no plans to release an M4 Ultra chip, as the company already strongly implied, so it is possible that the Mac Pro might not be updated until an M5 Ultra chip is ready.

Article Link: iOS 18 Code Leak Reveals All-New Chip Coming to iPhones, Apple TV, and HomePod Mini

 

[kaishockz]

New Apple Products got new chips - i call it legit apple leaks.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

something that was left out of this article, apparently this new Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip might possibly be able to work as an extender.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Normal M5 Mac Mini!

 

[SidricTheViking]

The C2 chip could be a real game changer!

 

[ELman]

I wonder if the S11 chip will actually be a spec bump or the same speed as the existing chip in the Series 9 and 10. Since the ultra has had the same chip for the past 2 years it's due for a update.

 

[orbital~debris]

• Proxima, the codename for an all-new Apple-designed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip for the next Apple TV and HomePod mini models and more

Most of those are obvious one-number-higher-than-currently chips, but the all-new "Proxima" chip is a little more interesting. The chip was first reported on last year by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, and he said that it would be included in new Apple TV and HomePod mini models launching later this year. He also expects at least some iPhone 17 models to use the chip, along with future iPad and Mac models starting next year.

Lady Proxima? 🧐

 

[Donkey Man]

Wonderful. A new chip for a 0.005% performance increase.

 

[dredlew]

I would like to see an A19 Pro chip in AppleTV. 🔥 Finally go after that console market… but nope, not gonna happen.

 

[ls1dreams]

Does this mean the iPhone 17 might actually get the A19 and not the A18 repeated from the iPhone 16?

 

[bollman]

Wonderful. A new chip for a 0.005% performance increase.

But a 0.05% reduce in cost of manufacturing. And that my friend, is what it is all about.

 

[AdamHarbour]

iOS has code for m5 pro ! Why ….

 

[AlexESP]

Wonderful. A new chip for a 0.005% performance increase.

But a 0.05% reduce in cost of manufacturing. And that my friend, is what it is all about.

Nice attempt to sound edgy, but iPhones have had >10% YoY single-core improvements for the last years.

 

[dgdosen]

I wonder if they'll try to use TSMC's US fabs for some of these chips - especially for those where perf and power aren't selling factors. (Like an Apple TV or HomePod)

 

[SamRyouji]

The C2 chip could be a real game changer!

Meh. I'll wait for the C4. Everybody will be blown away by the performance (perhaps literally).

 

[ultratiem]

Lady Proxima? 🧐

View attachment 2527002

The name Proxima has its origins in Latin, where it means “nearest” or “closest.” (Apple always has really clever names. Like Rosetta for example.

A fitting name.

 

[mashdots]

put an M5 in the Apple TV you cowards

 

[CharlesShaw]

If the MR Buyer's Guide says don't buy [use caution buying] a HomePod mini, they mean it! 😁

 

[segfaultdotorg]

Shouldn’t this be iOS 26?

 

[JitteryJimmy]

But a 0.05% reduce in cost of manufacturing. And that my friend, is what it is all about.

The real wins are:

• Eventual combining of discrete chips into a single package, saving power and real estate
• minimizing redundant patent fees, as both the supplier and OEM are often individually charged due to patent fee games

 

[ThrowerGB]

I don't see mention of Mac Studio in destinations for the new chips?

 

[svish]

Good to see that Apple is moving ahead with the custom made chips. Waiting for the C series modem to come to the Mac. But maybe an integrated cellular modem+wifi+bluetooth chip could also make its way to the Mac in the future.

 

[ls1dreams]

Nice attempt to sound edgy, but iPhones have had >10% YoY single-core improvements for the last years.

I think there's a pretty good chance the A19 base model is going to be a very modest increase compared to previous years. Still on 3nm and they are emphasizing battery life.

Unfortunately I'm due to upgrade.