All Apple iPhone 16 devices to get the same chip, will be powered by the A18 SoC – Firstpost

Apple is rumored to be making a major change in how it equips its iPhones in a given series. Normally, in an iPhone range, the non-Pro and Pro devices are equipped with different SoCs.

The non-Pro devices usually get the previous year’s SoC, whereas the Pro devices, get the latest and greatest from Apple’s mobile-only silicon. This year though, the iPhone 16 lineup is likely to be equipped with the same A18 chip, for all devices.

This would mark a departure from the recent practice of using different processors for Pro and non-Pro phones.

A recent report by MacRumours claims that all the devices in the upcoming iPhone 16 range could be powered by the A18 chip.

This shift could have a more significant impact than I thought. However, there were five identifiers observed in the code.

The identifiers range from iPhone17.1 to iPhone17.5, suggesting that a fifth device, potentially a future iPhone SE update, is also in the works. Apple typically links these identifiers to the chip being used rather than the iPhone generation.

For example, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, which use the A16 Bionic, have identifiers iPhone15,4 and iPhone15,5. Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, using the A17 Bionic, are identified as iPhone16,1 and iPhone16,2.

If all iPhone 16 devices use identifiers within the 17-series, this implies they will all feature the A18 chip. This would be a significant unification of the chipset across the entire iPhone lineup.

However, despite all devices potentially sharing the same generation of chips, Apple might still introduce performance variations between the Pro and non-Pro devices. One possibility is that Apple could disable or bin GPU cores in the chips used for the non-Pro devices, creating a differentiation in performance levels.

Another possibility discussed in the Monday report is a modification of Apple’s usual hand-me-down chip strategy. Instead of using the older A17 chip in non-Pro devices, Apple might put the A17’s design through a new manufacturing process at TSMC and rename it the A18.

Simultaneously, a new A18 Pro design with enhanced graphics and AI computing elements could be introduced for the Pro devices.

This approach would allow Apple to streamline its chip production while still providing differentiated performance across its product range. By doing so, Apple could optimize costs and production efficiency, which is crucial in maintaining its competitive edge in the smartphone market.

These changes reflect Apple’s ongoing efforts to innovate and adapt its product strategy to meet consumer demands and market conditions. Equipping all iPhone 16 devices with the same A18 chip, while introducing variations in performance, could simplify the product lineup and provide a more consistent user experience.

The shift to a unified chipset for all iPhone 16 devices could also have implications for software development and optimisation. Developers would benefit from a consistent hardware platform, making it easier to create and optimize apps for the entire range of iPhone 16 devices.

If the rumors hold true, Apple’s decision to equip all iPhone 16 devices with the A18 chip represents a strategic shift aimed at unifying its product lineup and enhancing production efficiency.