A16 Bionic Chip in iPhone 14 Reportedly Set to Be Based on '4nm' Process [Updated]

[MacRumors]

The chip powering the next-generation iPhone will reportedly be based on a "4nm" process, an even smaller process compared to the 5nm process used in the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 lineups, according to a paywalled preview of an upcoming report from DigiTimes.

Last year, Apple adopted a 5nm process with the A14 Bionic chip in the latest iPad Air and the iPhone 12 lineup. With the iPhone 13, it used an enhanced iteration of the 5nm process. For the iPhone 14, the report claims Apple and its chipmaking partner TSMC are looking to adopt a "4nm" process for the A16 Bionic, the likely name for the chip powering the next-generation iPhone.

A smaller process reduces a chip's physical footprint and offers improved performance and enhanced energy efficiency. A report yesterday by The Information claimed that TSMC and Apple are facing technical challenges in producing a 3nm chip, possibly being a reason the iPhone 14 will feature a "4nm" process instead.

Separate reports from earlier in the year have suggested that Apple has booked all of TSMC's production capacity for the 3nm process, which could instead debut in the iPhone 15 and next-generation Apple silicon Mac computers in several years.

With the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro already released, we now await what Apple has in store for the iPhone 14. While we're still a little under a year away from its launch, rumors suggest that the iPhone 14 will feature one of the most significant iPhone redesigns of the past several years. Get caught up on the latest rumors about Apple's next-generation iPhone using our roundup.

Update: While the DigiTimes report said "Apple will likely adopt TSMC's 4nm process," TSMC refers to the process as "N4P" and describes it as a "third major enhancement of TSMC's 5nm family."

Article Link: A16 Bionic Chip in iPhone 14 Reportedly Set to Be Based on '4nm' Process [Updated]

 

[slplss]

Getting closer to 0nm.

 

[svish]

4nm should still be very powerful and power efficient.

 

[cihag]

rumors suggest that the iPhone 14 will feature one of the most significant iPhone redesigns of the past several years.

Hmm, back to curves instead of flat edges, I guess?

 

[adamjackson]

A4 was 45nm from 45 to 4 in 12 years. or 45 to 5 in 10. Freaking remarkable.

 

[Agit21]

What happens next? 1nm and then what?

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Nice! It’s just getting smaller and smaller. Even more space for the battery.

 

[alien3dx]

big problem comin in 3 years more

 

[MrTemple]

4nm is a bit less than 20 silicon atoms wide (counting bonds/etc). Wild.

 

[surfzen21]

Meh. Not impressed. I'll wait for the 3nm. 🤣

 

[till]

What happens next? 1nm and then what?

We start talking in terms of angstroms (0.1nm). But the physical challenges increase exponentially as process size decreases.

 

[dominiongamma]

Meh. Not impressed. I'll wait for the 3nm. ?

What will happen after 1 nm ?

 

[IllinoisCorn]

A4 was 45nm from 45 to 4 in 12 years. or 45 to 5 in 10. Freaking remarkable.

I still don’t understand what is 5 mm. The chip? The tools that made the chip?

 

[WWPD]

What happens next? 1nm and then what?

Bio-neural gel packs.

 

[johnmarki]

While we're still a little under a year away from its launch, rumors suggest that the iPhone 14 will feature one of the most significant iPhone redesigns of the past several years.

The smaller the silica / chip / internals, the better. Could it be that the camera bump, notch, and charging port disappear? iPhone 4-ish Alooo-minnie-um and stainless steel, sandwiched between 2 slabs of glass, available in white, or black, and later product red?!?! I'm all for the notch-less, camera bump-less, proper black colorway design, will stand in line for it, and will finally shut-up about Apple iPhone design on these forums (not about other products though 🙃 🤣)

 

[jjswan33]

Hate to burst everyone's bubble but there is nothing on these chips that is actually 4nm in dimensions just like the current 5-6-7nm processes that every chip manufacturer is making. It's all a historical node naming convention.

 

[now i see it]

But if iOS 16 is as lame as iOS 15, it won’t matter one bit

 

[jjswan33]

I still don’t understand what is 5 mm. The chip? The tools that made the chip?

Nothing is 5nm. It's a naming convention that hasn't been reality for multiple generations of computer chips.

 

[turner5189]

Bio-neural gel packs.

Yeah but anyone along for the ride on Voyager knows those things can't be trusted

 

[gank41]

Getting closer to 0nm.

Just wait until the -05nm in the iPhone 20!

 

[munpip214]

Smaller process doesn’t necessarily mean smaller chip size. Apple will just fill up the same area will more logic

 

[adamw]

Smaller 4nm is better for both the future of the iPhone, iPads, and Macs.

 

[Fabian90]

Bio-neural gel packs.

I hope Siri is as clever as the Voyager's board computer then. Plus Lwaxana's voice!

 

[icwhatudidthere]

Nothing is 5nm. It's a naming convention that hasn't been reality for multiple generations of computer chips.

Yeah, articles referencing nm process should have a disclaimer saying it's just a generation name and not referring to a physical dimension.

 

[thebeans]

Hmm, back to curves instead of flat edges, I guess?

I hope not. Flat Edges are better. I would be happy if Apple never changed the overall physical design again. Just improve the internals, cameras etc. maybe add under screen fingerprint scanner if they can make it work well. Or add one to the power button. I don’t mind the notch but if they can make it smaller in the future that wold be cool. The shape and overall exterior design is damn near perfect though.