A18 chip coming to iPhone 16 and Pro models this fall

Apple has reportedly increased its chip order from TSMC, which will reportedly place the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models on the A18 chip.

The introduction of Apple Intelligence at WWDC may have helped increase demand for the iPhone 16. However, it appears that Apple is also changing its chip strategy to achieve this.

According to sources from CTEEApple has increased its order of chips from its partner TSMC. With this increased order, Apple is reportedly preparing to sell between 90 and 100 million units of the iPhone 16.

This contrasts with what was estimated at 80 to 90 million orders for iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro for September 2023.

At the same time, TSMC has Apple’s M4 series chips ready to be produced and shipped in the second half of 2024.

A change in chip strategy

The report claims that both the Pro and non-Pro models will use the A18 processor family. However, while this seems to indicate that the A18 will be used across both device lines, it doesn’t necessarily mean that all-new chips will be used.

Over the past few generations of iPhones, Apple has been integrating new chip features into its Pro product line. The standard iPhone had the same chips a year later.

This is demonstrated by the iPhone 15 family of devices. While the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max used the A17 Pro, the iPhone 15 and Plus used the A16.

While it looks different in the iPhone 16 lineup, it’s actually quite similar to the current chip strategy, if not in name.

According to reports, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will use the A18 processor. This chip is described as using the A17 Pro design, but using a new N3E process at TSMC.

The iPhone 16 Pro lineup will use a new A18 Pro chip design, which will feature a 15-20% CPU boost to accommodate more graphics and AI computing.

If true, this is actually Apple sticking to the same second-hand chip strategy as before, but modifying it with the new process and changing the name.

The rumor mill has also previously hinted at the use of the A17 in the iPhone 16. Whether it will adapt based on this report remains to be seen.

Apple Intelligence Boost

The increase in chip orders should be beneficial to both Apple and TSMC, especially given the minimum requirements for Apple Intelligence.

So far, the only iPhone models capable of using Apple Intelligence are the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, due to the increased performance of the Neural Engine and onboard memory compared to previous generations. The A18 chips will allow all A16 iPhone models to be capable of using Apple Intelligence, provided they have better specifications than the A17 Pro.

This should also be a boost for memory in the non-Pro iPhone models. The iPhone 15 has 6GB of memory, while the iPhone 15 Pro has 8GB.

Since Apple Intelligence requires a minimum of 8GB, this should translate into a memory increase for non-Pro models this fall.