Apple Boosts A18 Chip Orders in Anticipation of High iPhone 16 Demand

[2540497]

I may be wrong but I suspect all this AI malarky will actually result in a drop in demand. Sure, tech writers herald it as the next big thing and I don't doubt it is in some respects (and industries) - but a straw poll from all the people I know, the man on the street that isn't a tech enthusiast like you and I, they don't want or trust AI. They will actually hold on to their phones longer to avoid it.

I think the demand for Samsung and their year-on-year 8% uplift is more down to aggressive pricing (I could buy an S24 + Watch + Buds for £800 or so at launch, and a cashback offer last week meant I could get an S24 for £469 including free Buds).

Demand for iPhones in China is still at depressive lows - it bumped up a little bit because they aggressively cut the price.

It's widely anticipated at least here in the UK the cost of living, which has been getting better, will get worse around autumn time and into winter, hence our early unexpected election. That doesn't bode well for iPhone 16.

 

[Torty]

A17pro is N3E? When did they switch from N3B?

 

[mimemime]

Any news about esim only (or not) for the international market?

 

[SactoGuy18]

I think the regular A18 is essentially the A18 Pro with a few less functional CPU and GPU cores. And will have 8 GB of RAM so it can run Apple Intelligence.

 

[DocMultimedia]

I'll be ordering the moment I can. It will be a big jump from my 14Pro in terms of photography.

 

[Octavius8]

I don’t see a reason to renew my 15 pro max to a 16 pro max. AI gimmick is not strong reason for me.
no Touch ID under display, a little better cameras, same screen.

 

[elessar7]

Apple is said to have upped its order of next-generation chips from TSMC to between 90 million and 100 million units, following heightened demand expectations for its iPhone 16 series.

Last year's initial chip order volume for the iPhone 15 series launch is believed to have been in the region of 80-90 million units, suggesting Apple is anticipating higher demand for its 2024 devices in the region of 10 million units, according to Taiwanese outlet CTEE.

The arrival of Apple Intelligence in iOS 18 is expected to boost initial sales of the devices. One of the reasons is that Apple Intelligence requires at least an iPhone 15 Pro to run, which means owners of last year's iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will miss out on Apple's new AI features unless they upgrade to an iPhone 15 Pro or plump for one of the iPhone 16 models.

Last year, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus were equipped with the A16 Bionic chip – the same chip that was in the iPhone 14 Pro models – whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max featured an A17 Pro chip manufactured using TSMC's second-generation 3nm process, also known as "N3E." N3E is less expensive and has improved yield compared to the previous-generation N3B, according to TSMC.

This year, all four models in the iPhone 16 lineup are expected to use A18-branded chips manufactured using the N3E process. Despite switching to N3E, the A18 chip in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus is likely to adopt the A17 Pro design that was used in the iPhone 15 Pro models. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max will likely use a chip branded as an "A18 Pro," which could feature an upgraded Neural Engine with more cores enabling improved AI/machine learning performance.

The standard iPhone 16 models could also be upgraded with 8GB of RAM, up from 6GB in the iPhone 15 models. That would see all four iPhone 16 models offering 8GB of RAM, which Apple has suggested is a minimum requirement for running large-language models (the algorithms that power AI) locally on device, rather than in the cloud.

Based on previous years, Apple is expected to release the iPhone 16 series in the fall, around mid-September. For more information, be sure to check our dedicated iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro roundups.


Article Link: Apple Boosts A18 Chip Orders in Anticipation of High iPhone 16 Demand

“

Apple Boosts A18 Chip Orders in Anticipation of High iPhone 16 Demand”​

Not in Europe, i guess 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

 

[MacLoveMacHate]

The iphone 17 series will be a redesign. And finally have a 48mp zoom lens so all 3 sensors on the back will be around 48 mp. So that is going to be the popular one.

Not many people are going to buy this 16 pro/max since the 15 pro/max can already do all the ai stuff

We are on the same page my friend 🤝

 

[OmegaWave]

Just in case anyone else wanted the wallpaper shown on this article like I did.

 

[ab2c4]

so standard iPhone 16 will have 8GB or RAM and the 16 Pro Models at least 10 or even more?

16 Pro models are expected to only have 8gb as well.

 

[spcopsmac21]

Apple is said to have upped its order of next-generation chips from TSMC to between 90 million and 100 million units, following heightened demand expectations for its iPhone 16 series.

Last year's initial chip order volume for the iPhone 15 series launch is believed to have been in the region of 80-90 million units, suggesting Apple is anticipating higher demand for its 2024 devices in the region of 10 million units, according to Taiwanese outlet CTEE.

The arrival of Apple Intelligence in iOS 18 is expected to boost initial sales of the devices. One of the reasons is that Apple Intelligence requires at least an iPhone 15 Pro to run, which means owners of last year's iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will miss out on Apple's new AI features unless they upgrade to an iPhone 15 Pro or plump for one of the iPhone 16 models.

Last year, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus were equipped with the A16 Bionic chip – the same chip that was in the iPhone 14 Pro models – whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max featured an A17 Pro chip manufactured using TSMC's second-generation 3nm process, also known as "N3E." N3E is less expensive and has improved yield compared to the previous-generation N3B, according to TSMC.

This year, all four models in the iPhone 16 lineup are expected to use A18-branded chips manufactured using the N3E process. Despite switching to N3E, the A18 chip in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus is likely to adopt the A17 Pro design that was used in the iPhone 15 Pro models. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max will likely use a chip branded as an "A18 Pro," which could feature an upgraded Neural Engine with more cores enabling improved AI/machine learning performance.

The standard iPhone 16 models could also be upgraded with 8GB of RAM, up from 6GB in the iPhone 15 models. That would see all four iPhone 16 models offering 8GB of RAM, which Apple has suggested is a minimum requirement for running large-language models (the algorithms that power AI) locally on device, rather than in the cloud.

Based on previous years, Apple is expected to release the iPhone 16 series in the fall, around mid-September. For more information, be sure to check our dedicated iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro roundups.


Article Link: Apple Boosts A18 Chip Orders in Anticipation of High iPhone 16 Demand

I think if it looks exactly the same people will look at their iPhone 12,13,14,and 15s and say “it doesn’t look different.” And wait AGAIN to upgrade.

 

[NT1440]

Remember that "high" Vision Pro demand as well 🤣

Nice try with the hype Apple but we're all bored of the lazy designs and extra buttons now.

Please, elaborate.

Anyone paying attention knew the absolute maximum number of AVPs sold could be around 400K. That’s all the supply of those screens on the planet.

So I ask again, what is your first sentence grounded on?

Edit: A laugh emoji but no response to elaborate on the statement made.

 

[spcopsmac21]

Wow you really know what everyone and not only that but what countries too are doing! Divinity is here folks.

I went from being in a circle of all apple user in my profession.
And since the launch of the 14 lineup. Out of 32 people now half have androids. I stayed….

And we still get our work done on time and together like we did before. Half of us leaving the Apple ecosystem didn’t hit productivity 1%.

if the iPhone 16 line up looks like more of the same but with “ AI “
I’m gone.

To the people who say smartphones and laptops are a mature maket.🤣😂😂😂😆😆

Go look over the walled garden. PCs and Android phones are doing some crazy stuff.

 

[NT1440]

Article (as of right now) states that the current A17 Pro is manufactured on N3E. I don't think that's right. It was the very first commercial 3nm chip so at the time of release it was referred to as being a N3B product by the techosphere in general.

Now there were also rumors prior to release that a different A17 would be made on N3E later on, however I don't recall reading anywhere that such plans have reached fruition.

I thought N3B was going to be folded up entirely, imagine my shock when I found out that INTEL of all people is going to have their Lunar Lake (I think that’s the right codename) chips manufactured on it…

Maybe there will be an A17 after all 🤷‍♂️

 

[NT1440]

I went from being in a circle of all apple user in my profession.
And since the launch of the 14 lineup. Out of 32 people now half have androids. I stayed….

And we still get our work done on time and together like we did before. Half of us leaving the Apple ecosystem didn’t hit productivity 1%.

if the iPhone 16 line up looks like more of the same but with “ AI “
I’m gone.

To the people who say smartphones and laptops are a mature maket.🤣😂😂😂😆😆

Go look over the walled garden. PCs and Android phones are doing some crazy stuff.

Can you elaborate on this? What exactly is going on with these devices that is enhancing your work routine?

 

[SmugMaverick]

Its very important to remember that these 16 models won't launch with AI, its not even in beta yet with 2 months to go until the 16 is revealed.

Spring 25 is the most likely public release, 6 months after the 16 is released so expect them to hype it more for the 17.

Focus all your time on stupid headsets and this is what happens, you end up behind and stuck with 8GB ram in 2024 AGAIN.

 

[klasma]

We are on the same page my friend 🤝

You’re on page three and he was on page one.

 

[anthogag]

I am upgrading to 16 Pro Max. 🤝

 

[turbineseaplane]

Meanwhile, those of us who want a smaller phone are totally uninterested in everything they come up with

Nice job Tim

 

[ChedNasad]

I'm waiting to see what the first impressions of the AI features are from beta testers before I upgrade. I might get the public beta on my ipad too to check it out for myself. If it isn't groundbreakingly cool I probably will wait for the next iphone. My 14 pro isnt exactly old

 

[NT1440]

Meanwhile, those of us who want a smaller phone are totally uninterested in everything they come up with

Nice job Tim

I’m interested in some of the features, none of it generative.

But I’m in the same boat as you on a 13 mini. I want a small device, and I see no reason to upgrade (or stick with an iPhone for that matter) until I have a need.

 

[spcopsmac21]

Can you elaborate on this? What exactly is going on with these devices that is enhancing your work routine?

Nothing. Did you read that switching over hasn’t hurt productivity at all?

Apple totes its environment “ just works “
Well so does everyone else’s now.

People want change, they want out of the same rut they have been in.

They want new textures and color and hand feels.
Different features.

The iPhone has stagnated.

 

[NT1440]

Nothing. Did you read that switching over hasn’t hurt productivity at all?

Apple totes its environment “ just works “
Well so does everyone else’s now.

People want change, they want out of the same rut they have been in.

They want new textures and color and hand feels.
Different features.

The iPhone has stagnated.

Gotcha, I was genuinely asking because I simply could not parse the wording of the 1% thing.

So it’s down to qualitative preference, as someone who refuses to buy the gargantuan things we call phones these days, I understand.

Side note: the “just works” verbiage has been retired for well over a decade.

 

[spcopsmac21]

Gotcha, I was genuinely asking because I simply could not parse the wording of the 1% thing.

So it’s down to qualitative preference, as someone who refuses to buy the gargantuan things we call phones these days, I understand.

Side note: the “just works” verbiage has been retired for well over a decade.

I saw Tim Cook say it a week ago next to Marcus Brownley.

Someone might want to tell him they retired it.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Nothing. Did you read that switching over hasn’t hurt productivity at all?

Apple totes its environment “ just works “
Well so does everyone else’s now.

People want change, they want out of the same rut they have been in.

They want new textures and color and hand feels.
Different features.

The iPhone has stagnated.

I agree totally
It's become completely uninteresting