Key takeaways:
- Apple significantly increased chip orders for the iPhone 16, anticipating strong demand.
- The iPhone 16 series likely boasts next-gen A18 chips and potentially improved AI capabilities.
- Standard iPhone 16 models might receive a RAM bump to support on-device AI features.
Apple is betting big on the upcoming iPhone 16 lineup. The tech giant reportedly bolstered its orders for next-generation A18 chips from TSMC, a major chip manufacturer. This move signals Apple’s anticipation of a significant sales jump for the iPhone 16 compared to the iPhone 15 series.
The projected demand surge can be attributed partly to Apple Intelligence, a new AI feature expected with iOS 18. This feature likely requires at least an iPhone 15 Pro to function, potentially incentivizing iPhone 15 and 15 Plus users to upgrade to the iPhone 16 series.
Chipset Shuffle and Potential AI Boost
Last year, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus utilized the A16 Bionic chip, also found in the iPhone 14 Pro models. However, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max sported the more advanced A17 Pro chip built on TSMC’s N3E process. N3E offers cost-effectiveness and improved yield compared to the prior N3B generation.
For the iPhone 16 series, all models are expected to receive A18-branded chips manufactured using the N3E process. The standard iPhone 16 and 16 Plus might retain the A17 Pro design from the iPhone 15 Pro models, albeit with the N3E upgrade. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max could feature a unique “A18 Pro” chip, potentially boasting an enhanced Neural Engine with more cores for superior AI performance.
Standard Models Get a Potential RAM Upgrade
The standard iPhone 16 models might see a RAM increase from 6GB to 8GB, aligning with all iPhone 16 models offering 8GB. This aligns with Apple’s suggestion that 8GB is the minimum RAM requirement for running large language models (the foundation of on-device AI) locally on the device rather than relying on the cloud.
Looking Ahead
Apple traditionally releases its iPhones in the fall, with mid-September being a likely timeframe for the iPhone 16 series. Stay tuned for further details as we approach the official launch.
