A recent discovery in Apple’s backend by developer Nicolás Alvarez, shared with MacRumors, has revealed Apple’s plans to release four iPhone 16 models this year, all of which will be equipped with the same A-series chip. The discovery includes new model numbers that align with Apple’s typical numbering scheme for flagship devices, providing further evidence of this unified chip approach.
The leaked code references the following iPhone identifiers:
- iPhone17,1
- iPhone17,2
- iPhone17,3
- iPhone17,4
- iPhone17,5
The consistency in the numbering (all starting with 17) suggests that these models will share the same A-series chip. This is a notable change from the iPhone 15 lineup, where different models had distinct chips, leading to separate number ranges:
- iPhone 15: iPhone 15,4
- iPhone 15 Plus: iPhone 15,5
- iPhone 15 Pro: iPhone 16,1
- iPhone 15 Pro Max: iPhone 16,2
Chip and identifier correlation
Apple has a history of tying device identifiers to the A-series chip used:
- A16 chip: iPhone 15,2 and iPhone 15,3 (iPhone 14 Pro models)
- A17 Pro chip: iPhone 16,1 and iPhone 16,2 (iPhone 15 Pro models)
With the iPhone 16 models carrying identifiers starting with 17,x, it is likely they will all feature the upcoming A18 chip. This aligns with previous rumors and leaks suggesting a shared chip across the iPhone 16 lineup.
Potential differentiation within the A18 Chip
Despite the unified chip approach, Apple might still differentiate between the standard and Pro models. One possibility is naming the chips A18 and A18 Pro, with the Pro variant featuring more GPU cores or enhanced capabilities. This strategy would allow Apple to maintain performance distinctions between the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models while keeping the core architecture consistent.
Interestingly, the code references five model numbers, though only four are expected to be part of the iPhone 16 lineup. The fifth model could potentially be a future iPhone SE, although this remains speculative.
The uniform adoption of the A18 chip across all iPhone 16 models and a future iPhone SE would support the advanced Apple Intelligence features set to debut in iOS 18. These features require high-powered chips for on-device AI processing. Currently, only the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max support Apple Intelligence, but extending this capability to all future models would ensure broader access to these machine learning and AI enhancements.
Conclusion
Apple’s strategy to equip all iPhone 16 models with the same A-series chip marks a significant shift towards a more unified hardware platform. This approach not only streamlines production but also ensures that all new devices are capable of supporting the latest AI and machine learning features. As we await the official announcement, the leaked information provides an exciting glimpse into Apple’s plans for the next generation of iPhones.
