iPhone 16 Pro's A18 Pro Chip Rumored to Boost AI, Retain 6-Core GPU

[MacRumors]

Apple's next-generation A18 Pro chip for iPhone 16 Pro models will feature a larger die size for boosted artificial intelligence performance, according to Jeff Pu, an investment analyst who covers companies within Apple's supply chain.

In a research note with Hong Kong-based investment firm Haitong International Securities this week, Pu added that the A18 Pro chip will be equipped with a 6-core GPU, which would be equal to the A17 Pro chip in iPhone 15 Pro models.

Generative AI

iOS 18 is rumored to include new generative AI features for a range of iPhone features and apps, including Siri, Spotlight, Apple Music, Health, Messages, Numbers, Pages, Keynote, Shortcuts, and more. Apple has reportedly considered partnering with companies such as Google, OpenAI, and Baidu for at least some of these features.

iPhone 16 Pro models are rumored to feature an upgraded Neural Engine with "significantly" more cores, which could result in some of iOS 18's generative AI features being exclusive to those models. Pu previously said the larger die size would be related to the Neural Engine, which could power on-device generative AI features.

Apple has used a 16-core Neural Engine since the iPhone 12 series. However, it has still improved the Neural Engine's performance over the years, even when core counts have not changed. For example, Apple says the A17 Pro chip has up to a 2x faster Neural Engine compared to the one in the iPhone 14 Pro's A16 Bionic chip.

Apple has promised to make generative AI announcements later this year. iOS 18 will be previewed at Apple's developers conference WWDC in June, so we're just a few months away from learning about the company's plans.

6-Core GPU

With the A17 Pro chip, iPhone 15 Pro models have significantly improved graphics capabilities compared to previous models. Apple said the new 6-core GPU is up to 20% faster and also more power efficient than the 5-core GPU in the A16 Bionic chip. iPhone 15 Pro models also support hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading for improved graphics rendering, which results in more realistic graphics in games.

Pu believes Apple will stick with a 6-core GPU for the A18 Pro chip, so graphics improvements may be more limited for iPhone 16 Pro models this year.

Wrap Up

Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 16 series in September. For more details, read our iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro roundups.

Article Link: iPhone 16 Pro's A18 Pro Chip Rumored to Boost AI, Retain 6-Core GPU

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Siri having its own neural engine…

It might even be able to play the right song now! Bwaha

 

[GrayFlannel]

Here’s a link to 9to5’s story from yesterday on the same topic.

iPhone 16 Pro: New A18 Pro chip to offer powerful on-device AI performance - 9to5Mac

According to a new analyst note from Jeff Pu at Haitong International Tech Research, seen by 9to5Mac, Apple is planning...

9to5mac.com

 

[Realityck]

Apple's next-generation A18 Pro chip for iPhone 16 Pro models will feature a larger die size for boosted artificial intelligence performance, according to Jeff Pu, an investment analyst who covers companies within Apple's supply chain.

iPhone 16 Pro models are rumored to feature an upgraded Neural Engine with "significantly" more cores, which could result in some of iOS 18's generative AI features being exclusive to those models. Pu previously said the larger die size would be related to the Neural Engine, which could power on-device generative AI features.

Apple has used a 16-core Neural Engine since the iPhone 12 series. However, it has still improved the Neural Engine's performance over the years, even when core counts have not changed. For example, Apple says the A17 Pro chip has up to a 2x faster Neural Engine compared to the one in the iPhone 14 Pro's A16 Bionic chip.

Do these analysts think that AI performance will leap frog previous SoC's in iPhone that much simply based on neural engine performance improvements? I guess more of a question pertains to how a mobileOS compares to a desktopOS in that regard as far as running AI processes. Desktops are designed to work with many more processes simultaneously because of the way multiple-tasking works.

 

[LogicalApex]

Makes sense. Apple and others are positioning this to be a new area to drive device upgrades. Currently, the only area doing that in the smartphone segment is the camera and it has peaked for most users (obviously, not for professionals).

What remains to be seen though is if Apple actually adds anything that actually makes people interested in upgrading for it and if those features see steady improvement. Siri was revolutionary when she launched and stagnated quickly after. Hopefully this isn't a repeat and hopefully the feature is actually useful.

 

[vegetassj4]

Siri having its own neural engine…

It might even be able to play the right song now! Bwaha

More like neurotic engine

 

[vegetassj4]

Apple today announced iPhone 16 Pro, the future of the smartphone, in a gorgeous all-glass design and clad with exclusive Apple Titanium+,the only titanium exclusively mined, refined and meticulously polished for Apple. It is Packed with Innovative Features Including an Ultra Retina Display, Truer Depth Camera System, Face ID Plus and A18 Pro Cyborg Chip with Neurotic Engine

iPhone 16 Pro will be an incredibly popular choice with our existing users and for new iPhone customers, thanks to its iconic design, exceptional performance, and affordable price. This year we’ve built the most powerful and durable iPhone yet, with better battery life thanks to A18 Pro, the same chip as our car lineup that also unlocks advanced camera features like Smart HDR11, Photographic Styles, and Deep difFusion.

And with enhanced 5G, iPhone 16 Pro gives users faster downloads and uploads, higher quality video streaming, real-time interactivity in apps, and much more. Delivering the latest generation of technology and performance at this price is something only Apple can do. Even more pro than the most pro iPhone we've ever created, it TRULY Is the proest iPhone ever.

You're going to love it.

 

[Populus]

It makes all the sense, tbh, that after all this AI leaks for iOS 18, they would focus on the Neural Engine.

Then, for the A19 or A20, when Apple/TSMC jumps into 2nm, they can add more GPU or CPU cores.

 

[Marty80]

Not a fan to AI but a welcome edition and start.

 

[Pezimak]

Of course it will, that’s how Apple will have an excuse to cripple the previous models from its new or improved AI, upgrade or you don’t get it and stick with Siri as it is.

 

[Fuzzball84]

Having it perform tasks on device and make it an upgrade feature

🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑💰💰💰💰💰💵💵💵💵💵💵

 

[johnnytravels]

Having Siri turned off on all my devices for sheer lack of usefulness, I wonder if this is something that will make me turn it on. I doubt it though…

 

[mdriftmeyer]

Having Siri turned off on all my devices for sheer lack of usefulness, I wonder if this is something that will make me turn it on. I doubt it though…

And how is Alexa fairing? Amazon has been steadily shutting that massive investment down.

 

[Biro]

Having Siri turned off on all my devices for sheer lack of usefulness, I wonder if this is something that will make me turn it on. I doubt it though…

The only time Siri’s voice is ever heard on any of my devices is when I’m using GPS/Maps. Otherwise, I’ve shut her down and gave very little interest in what AI will do to her.

 

[carswell]

iOS 18 is rumored to include new generative AI features for a range of iPhone features and apps, including Siri, Spotlight, Apple Music, Health, Messages, Numbers, Pages, Keynote, Shortcuts, and more

The only one of these features and apps I use is Messages and possibly something under "more." And in Messages, I don't need new smart features but the ability to message seamlessly with Android clients. This fact, having no use for generative anything, and the rumoured increased screen size of the iPhone 16 Pro are convincing me that my next phone is going to be a 15 Pro.

 

[Octavius8]

If AI will be provided from the cloud, why I need to “upgrade” my 15 pro to a 16?.

 

[Pakaku]

I'm all for better hardware, but it's overkill in most phone use cases, and generative AI is extremely gross and a disgusting tech-bro fad

 

[johnnytravels]

And how is Alexa fairing? Amazon has been steadily shutting that massive investment down.

Sorry, I don’t know. Don’t use Alexa either. In fact, I use no voice assistant at all because I think they are all useless the way I use my phone and computer.

 

[dampfnudel]

If AI will be provided from the cloud, why I need to “upgrade” my 15 pro to a 16?.

Because Apple will limit it to the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max and give older phones some watered down AI. You’re probably better off waiting until the iPhone 18 Pro. Maybe Apple’s folding iPhone will even make an appearance by that time so you’ll have that option if you’re interested.

 

[klasma]

Here’s a link to 9to5’s story from yesterday on the same topic.

iPhone 16 Pro: New A18 Pro chip to offer powerful on-device AI performance - 9to5Mac

According to a new analyst note from Jeff Pu at Haitong International Tech Research, seen by 9to5Mac, Apple is planning...

9to5mac.com

So the actual information is that the die size is increasing, but it being used for AI is purely speculation (even if it’s plausible).

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

how about macbooks and macOS ?

 

[Fuzzball84]

Having Siri turned off on all my devices for sheer lack of usefulness, I wonder if this is something that will make me turn it on. I doubt it though…

Leave it switched off …. Thinkof that extra battery runtime 😀

 

[havaloc]

I'd bet we'll see a ram increase with iPhone 16 and above to hold the model in memory.

 

[klasma]

how about macbooks and macOS ?

They already have more beefy chips.

(Hmm, beef…)

 

[zlt1228]

A17’s GPU already lags behinds that of 8G3 and Dimensity 9300, due to it being much smaller. But then again more GPU right now does nothing but make genshin run smoother.