iPhone 14 Pro Faced 'Unprecedented' Setback Leading to Removal of New Graphics Processor

[Beautiful Opinion]

The framing of the issue as "setback" and failure is so sensationalising, not making it clear that part of research and development HAS to involve experimentation (DUH!) and various trials and errors. I wouldn't necessarily call it a "setback" which is too sensational and tries to capture the audience's mind in a particular way. Boo!

Anyone who has done any serious research and development will recognize that testing, development, and various failed approaches is part and parcel of the work.

Didn’t you read the part about how they had to pivot at the last minute? And the performance increase was relatively small that year as a result? And how the team was restructured? God, the Kool-Aid drinking in here is unbelievable.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Regardless of what may have happened, I am happy with my 14 pro.

 

[alchemistmuffin]

hastily pivot to revert largely to the GPU from the A15 Bionic chip from the previous year's iPhone 13 lineup.

And this is why performance is not much improved on the A16.

Now, on the other hand, A17, that thing will be a beast on iPhone 15 Pro lineup (it will allow Thunderbolt 3 to come on iPhone, finally delivering on wish that many videographers wanted for long time when filming on iPhone: FASTER TRANSFER SPEEED!!!!!!!!!)

 

[Realityck]

Apple planned a major generational update for the iPhone 14 Pro's graphics capabilities, but was forced to scrap plans for the new GPU late in development after "unprecedented" missteps were discovered, according to The Information.

Going by their articles standards is this article deeply rooted by some facts?

 

[darngooddesign]

Ray tracing on a screen a few inches long. I’m sure some gamers will just love that.

A bit shortsighted; Ray tracing on the A# means ray tracing on the M# so that’s iPads and Macs. Not to mention, you could game on a display with your phone either wired (upcoming USB-C/TB) or wirelessly.

 

[vegetassj4]

What is everyone on about? I've had ray tracing on my phone since the iPhone X.

 

[msackey]

Didn’t you read the part about how they had to pivot at the last minute? And the performance increase was relatively small that year as a result? And how the team was restructured? God, the Kool-Aid drinking in here is unbelievable.

Don’t know who drunk the Kool-Aid but certainly I’ve been critical of Apple but not particularly about this chip issue. *shrug*

 

[Mega ST]

Now we know why the bigger M2 MBPs are late.

 

[Realityck]

Now we know why the bigger M2 MBPs are late.

Are they? It was a year later for the M1 Pro/Max from the M1. How long ago was WWDC 2022?

 

[j_in_tx]

I returned my iPhone 14 Pro. There was literally no noticeable difference between it and the 13 pro.

I like alway on tech

 

[Rob__Mac]

I wonder if the delayed Mac Pro is related to this as well?

 

[ersatzplanet]

"new features to the graphics processor designed for the ‌iPhone 14 Pro‌, including features like ray tracing – a lighting technique to achieve a further level of realism in games. This meant that ‌iPhone 14 Pro‌ prototype were found to draw much more power than expected, impacting the device's battery life and thermal management." - Looks like this tech could still show up in desktop units.

 

[Realityck]

Guess it's time to rain on A16 in the news.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 vs Apple A16: Qualcomm chip is finally better

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 vs Apple A16: Qualcomm chip is far better. Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance test has been revealed.

www.gizchina.com

MediaTek Dimensity 9200 outperforms the Apple A16 Bionic in GPU tests

The MediaTek Dimensity 9200 sports an Immortalis-G715 as its GPU. Before it debuted last month, reports claimed the flagship SoC could outperform the iPhone 14 Pro's A16 Bionic GPU-wise. Those reports weren't baseless, it now appears.

www.notebookcheck.net

 

[satchmo]

I think any post iPhone 11 is probably more than people need.

 

[dysamoria]

‘Just work’ like the crash detection triggered in rollercoasters or maybe like the new HomeKit architecture that removed access to partner and flat mates so now they can’t control lights and speakers?

Apple hasn’t had a legit use of “It just works” in over a decade. Things got really bad at 2013’s product releases.

 

[I7guy]

‘Just work’ like the crash detection triggered in rollercoasters or maybe like the new HomeKit architecture that removed access to partner and flat mates so now they can’t control lights and speakers?

Or 'just work' like car in a ditch? "Throw the baby out with the bathwater" thought process is interesting.

 

[Retskrad]

The M1 was such a groundbreaking chip and it gave Apple a few years of brain drain and missed deadlines. I don’t expect Apple to wow us again until the M4 or M5. This is a good time for Apple to pause, look at what Qualcomm, AMD and Intel are doing and see how they can attract the same class of talent that gave birth to the M1 again.

 

[dysamoria]

I'm really shocked that Apple would get rid of so many people who were involved. Mistakes happen, and this report makes Apple sound like a toxic workplace.

When has it not been? Jobs was very toxic himself.

I’m NOT justifying it. The culture around corporate employment (or any employment, really) is toxic, especially in tech.

 

[Sportpoz]

I still have strange problems with displaying the graphical interface on iPhone 14 Pro Max. It happens that incoming notifications are square at the edges, and only after a while they become rounded.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Maybe I'm getting old or just a bit confused because the 'golden age' of iPhone games was about 5 or 10 years ago.

Agreed. For me the golden age was all the way back with things like Flight Control (decade-ish ago) and Motion X Poker Dice. I miss MXPD to this very day.

 

[darngooddesign]

Now we know why the bigger M2 MBPs are late.

Or Apple is waiting for the M3 to go in the other computers.

 

[unQuestionable]

Great. Waiting for a leap in battery tech in iPhones. 14 Pro is not so great with battery. Software updates helped, but eh.

 

[dysamoria]

You know, I turn that off when playing games on my PC rig. I view it in most cases as a gimmick. I was interested to see it in a game called Control and my reaction was a big giant “meh”.

The Witcher 3 had a recent large update just for ray tracing and for me it was the same reaction. I turned it off.

As a non-hard-core gamer and 3D rendering hobbyist that focuses on visuals, not FPS, I’ve been excited about hardware/real-time retracing for ages. I’ll happily take a frame rate cut for physically accurate lighting and reflections.

 

[Realityck]

Or Apple is waiting for the M3 to go in the other computers.

You have speculation that both the M2 is a placeholder, as well as March 2022 Mac Studio. Perhaps later in 2023 everything will be more visible to how AS Macs evolve. You have to wonder if the A16 won't be outmoded also this coming year? Looking forward to all the excitement 2023 offers.

 

[Ethosik]

Yep turned it on in BF2042. Gave me a headache and a performance decrease. No thanks.

I know! I don’t understand the massive hype with Ray tracing. I’d rather take higher fps.

Why some people treat it as some big game changer I don’t understand. Why we NEED IT!!!