New iPhone 16 Chip Details Leaked: 3nm Node, Increased RAM, New Modem and More
Four iPhone 16 Models
The iPhone 16 Series is shaping up to be Apple’s next major release, even with the upcoming launch of the Apple Vision Pro. As we enter a new year, rumors about Apple's latest iPhone iteration are already gaining momentum. Analyst Jeff Pu from HAITONG SECURITIES, known for his mixed accuracy record, has revealed some intriguing details about the iPhone 16 models, initially reported by Macrumors and 9to5mac.
The iPhone 16 Series is expected to maintain the four-model lineup, reminiscent of the approach since the iPhone 12 series. The iPhone 16 and 16 Pro are rumored to sport a larger 6.3-inch display, a slight increase from the current 6.1-inch models. The iPhone 16 Plus and 16 Pro Max are also set for a size upgrade, boasting 6.9-inch displays. This increase in size is speculated to accommodate a new tetra prism 5X lens in the smaller iPhone 16 Pro model, a feature currently exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. More details on the camera of the upcoming iPhone 16 Series are available here.
Based on the information provided above, an iPhone 16 Ultra model as a fifth option in the lineup is not expected.
New A18 Chips with Increased RAM, New Modem
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will be the first in the base iPhone model lineup to be powered by a 3nm chip, mirroring the upgrade seen in this year's iPhone 15 Pro models. According to Jeff Pu, Apple is set to introduce a new chip for the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus - the A18 chip. This chip marks a significant upgrade, boasting 8GB RAM, a 33% increase from the current models' 6GB RAM. Notably, the A18 will be the inaugural chip for the base iPhone models utilizing a 3nm node, signifying a substantial leap with the new 3nm chips, 8GB of RAM, and potentially, improved WiFi 6E connectivity for the rumored new A18 chip.
However, this upgrade is not entirely unexpected. If Apple follows its previous patterns, as seen with the iPhone 15 and 14 series, the company might repurpose the chip used in the 15 Pro models for the base iPhone 16 and 16 Plus. The iPhone 15 Pro’s A17 Pro Chip, is indeed a 3nm chip with 8GB RAM. Utilizing a Pro Chip in non-Pro models could potentially lead to consumer confusion, thus the introduction of the A18 chip - potentially a rebranded A17 Pro Chip - aligns both with Apple's innovation trajectory and market clarity.
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are expected to be introduced with a brand new A18 Pro chip which will still be a 3nm chip with 8GB RAM according to Pu. This means that the entire iPhone 16 Series will sport 8GB RAM. The upcoming Pro models are expected to feature Qualcomm's new X75 modem, offering enhanced 5G connectivity, as it supports the advanced 5G Advanced standard. This should not be available for the base non Pro iPhone 16 models according to Pu. According to Pu, it remains unclear whether the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models will feature the improved WiFi 7 connectivity standard.
Concluding
Overall, this is what we should expect:
iPhone 16 (6.3 inches): A18 Chip, 8GB RAM, X70 modem
iPhone 16 Plus (6.9 inches): A18 Chip, 8GB RAM, X70 modem
iPhone 16 Pro (6.3 inches): A18 Pro Chip, 8GB RAM, X75 modem
iPhone 16 Pro Max (6.9 inches): A18 Pro Chip, 8GB RAM, X75 modem
Please note that this information about the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max is based on early leaks and rumors, and has not been officially confirmed by Apple. As with all early reports, details may change before the official release which is expected in September 2024.
