Apple has consistently introduced some kind of hardware variation to its iPhone lineup, with the more expensive versions getting treated to a significantly better chipset. The company retained this approach with the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max when it introduced the A17 Pro, but with the iPhone 16 launch, the company’s strategy could be a little different, assuming the latest leak turns out to be true. Apparently, the entire lineup will feature the A18 SoC, hinting that there might not be any differences here, but there is still a possibility that Apple hides the complete specifications until the actual unveiling.
Apple might stick with the A18 name for all iPhone 16 models, but the less expensive models could feature a lower-binned silicon
Code unraveled from Apple’s backend by Nicolás Alvarez and reported by MacRumors reveals that the Cupertino giant has plans to announce four iPhone 16 models later this year with the same A18 SoC. For those wondering about the unique identifiers, they are iPhone17,1, iPhone17,2, iPhone17,3, iPhone17,4 and iPhone17,5. All five of these models share the same starting number, making it entirely different from the approach Apple followed last year. In 2023, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus featured iPhone 15,4 and iPhone 15,5 identifiers, while the ‘Pro’ models were identified with iPhone 16,1 and iPhone 16,2.
While this revelation indicates that the iPhone 16 models will feature the same A18 chip, it is likely that the only similarity here is the SoC’s name. When the in-depth specifications are revealed, our hunch tells us there will be multiple differences, such as fewer GPU cores on the base iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. However, we could see 8GB RAM as standard on all four models, as it is the bare minimum to run Apple Intelligence. As for the Neural Engine, we believe that this unit will remain consistent with both chipset variants, with an earlier rumor claiming that it will be more powerful than the Neural Engine present in the M4.
The A18 could still have a ‘Pro’ moniker that is exclusive to the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, making it easier for consumers to pick out the more powerful versions if they want the latest and greatest version as their daily driver. Of course, we will learn more about these differences in the coming months, so stay tuned for more updates.
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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