iPhone 16 Lineup Will Feature A18 and A18 Pro Chips, Analyst Says

[MacRumors]

All four iPhone 16 models will be equipped with A18-branded chips, according to Jeff Pu, an analyst who covers companies within Apple's supply chain.

In a research note with investment firm Haitong International Securities this week, obtained by MacRumors, Pu said "we view A17 Pro as a transition design and now expect all the iPhone 16 models to feature A18, on TSMC's N3E."

In response to our email, Pu clarified his expectations, as outlined below:

• iPhone 16: A18 chip (N3E)
• iPhone 16 Plus: A18 chip (N3E)
• iPhone 16 Pro: A18 Pro chip (N3E)
• iPhone 16 Pro Max: A18 Pro chip (N3E)

Given the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are equipped with the A16 Bionic chip, a jump to the A18 chip for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus would be notable.

N3E refers to TSMC's second-generation 3nm chip fabrication process, which is less expensive and has improved yield compared to TSMC's first-generation 3nm process, N3B, which is used for the A17 Pro chip in the iPhone 15 Pro models.

Given that the iPhone 16 lineup is around a year away from launching, Pu is likely making an educated guess here with the marketing names, so it remains to be seen if Apple actually moves forward with A18 and A18 Pro branding. It is still possible that Apple could brand its iPhone 16 chips as the A17 and A18 Pro, mirroring recent years.

Pu was the first source to report that Apple had abandoned its plans for solid-state buttons on the iPhone 15 Pro models. He also accurately revealed that the iPhone 15 Pro models would be equipped with an increased 8GB of RAM, and that the iPhone 15 Pro Max would have a higher starting price than the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Article Link: iPhone 16 Lineup Will Feature A18 and A18 Pro Chips, Analyst Says

 

[phill85]

This just in: Water is wet

-analyst

 

[icanhazmac]

They will be way hotter than the A17 Pro, we know you will love them! /s

 

[sack_peak]

All this news is making me consider skipping 15 Pro Max for a 16 Ultra that @Torty is adamant to come out next year.

 

[TheAppleFan2004]

I can't believe I actually called this...

 

[TheAppleFan2004]

Which will be way hotter than the A17, we know you will love them!

From what I read, the thermal issues are due to the phone's design, not the A17 chip itself, so...

 

[MayaUser]

Jeff Pu, an analyst who covers companies within Apple's supply chain.
So good bye Kuo bye bye, you wont be missed since you went from a good leaker to an 50%-50% guess

 

[spcopsmac21]

I can't believe I actually called this...

It’s called macrumors. 10% news 10% ?????? Hurry report what the analyst says.
And that’s why we love it. It’s an Apple fans terrible Monday afternoon soap opera.

 

[MayaUser]

This just in: Water is wet

-analyst

why? since other analyst said the iphone 16 and iphone 16 plus will have A17 (non pro)
So who is right?

 

[icanhazmac]

From what I read, the thermal issues are due to the phone's design, not the A17 chip itself, so...

It was an obvious joke, perhaps you missed that? I'll throw in a /s for your benefit.

Yes, we are all shocked by Apple sacrificing thermals for size.

 

[Ultracyclist]

This just in: Water is wet

-analyst

This analist is totally wrong.

Water isn't wet.

Wet is the status an object becomes after it comes into contact with a fluid and some residue remains on the object.
As water is not an object it by itself can't be wet.
But, there is one way for water to become wet.

Does anyone know the answer?

 

[Bobajobbob]

Filed under ‘no **** sherlock’.

 

[TheAppleFan2004]

It was an obvious joke, perhaps you missed that? I'll throw in a /s for your benefit.

It is a genuine mistake a lot of people are making, so it becomes harder to detect sarcasm at that point

 

[DeepIn2U]

From what I read, the thermal issues are due to the phone's design, not the A17 chip itself, so...

Needs a vapour chamber!

 

[chanerz]

iPhone 16, best iphone EVER made

 

[cocky jeremy]

File this one under "No ****". lol.

 

[Rathakoy86]

why? since other analyst said the iphone 16 and iphone 16 plus will have A17 (non pro)
So who is right?

Because it’s obvious that’s why!!! That’s like saying oh 2 comes after 1... like no **** Sherlock .. that’s like making an article like “ oh the next iPhone will be called the iPhone 16.. like no ****!!!!

 

[Sasparilla]

This would be a welcome outcome. The last 2 releases were under constrained production issues for the primary chip, so there is some plausibility to this if Apple wants it (which is the question)....and it would be so good for Apple to do so in general, no more leftover from last years Pro phone chip for the regular iPhone.

Sales for the regular 16 would probably get quite a boost as well.

 

[MrENGLISH]

The 16 and 16 Plus won't be getting A17?

 

[vadintidh]

My sources claim that it will be coming next autumn...

 

[Lakersfan74]

Probably have the same design since the 11. Getting boring Apple.

 

[TheAppleFan2004]

The 16 and 16 Plus won't be getting A17?

My guess is that they're just going to rename it as the A18, like what they did for the Apple Watch S7 & S8

 

[TruthWatcher412]

Wonder how much these "analysts" get paid to state the obvious...

 

[gatorvet96]

This analist is totally wrong.

Water isn't wet.

Wet is the status an object becomes after it comes into contact with a fluid and some residue remains on the object.
As water is not an object it by itself can't be wet.
But, there is one way for water to become wet.

Does anyone know the answer?

Melting ice. Liquid Water on solid water.

 

[jayducharme]

The 18 / 18 Pro distinctions make sense to me since it matches how Apple is distinguishing their Mac chips.