We will reportedly not see this year’s Apple A17 Pro chipset in any of the next iPhones
Apple is to introduce a new generation of mobile processors next year
They are manufactured by TSMC using the second generation of its 3nm process
Until recently, the rule was that every new iPhone (with the exception of the SE) was equipped with the latest and most powerful mobile processor. Apple began breaking this rule last year, when only the top “Pro” models received the new A16 Bionic chipset, while the basic iPhones 14 and 14 Plus had to make do with a generation older chipset. Apple continued this tradition this year as well, but it may make a fairly significant change for the next model series.
Two different chipsets in one row
According to whistleblower and analyst Jeff Pu, Apple plans to use the same generation of mobile processors in all iPhones next year, albeit with different specifications. The situation should look like this:
iPhone 16 and 16 Plus – Apple A18 chipset (estimated name) iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max – Apple A18 Pro chipset (estimated name)
We assume that the speculated Apple A18 will be impoverished compared to the Pro variant, for example it will receive fewer processor or graphics cores, or will work with lower clocks. Both upcoming mobile processors are to be manufactured by the second generation of the 3nm process (N3E) from TSMC, where the Taiwanese company has better yields and can afford to go with the price a little lower.
The current iPhones 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are the first ever smartphones in the world to be powered by 3nm processors, but it seems that this was a rushed first – the performance did not increase nearly as much as the transition to a more modern manufacturing process would indicate, in addition, users of the new iPhones report significant warming up. So it is possible that it is for this reason that Apple is planning to throw the current generation of chipsets behind and not deploy it at all in the next basic iPhones.
The Apple A17 Pro chipset that powers this year’s iPhones 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max
Since Apple is already planning to rebrand the chipsets, we would recommend it to make a minor change that would lead to greater clarity. This year’s iPhones 15 Pro launched with iOS 17 and the Apple 17 Pro chipset – wouldn’t it be better if Apple skipped two numbers in the iPhone labeling and introduced the iPhone series next year 18 with the iOS operating system 18 and an Apple chipset A18 (Pro)?
Author of the article
Jakub Karásek
A fan of mobile technology, convertibles and wireless charging, a fan of hard music and a lover of fast driving in go-karts, bikes and skis. Opponent of FUP, slow internet and overgrown smartphones.
2023-09-29 05:00:00
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