Leaked Details Reveal All iPhone 16 Models Will Feature the Same A18 Chipset, Including Pro Variants

A recent leak has confirmed that Apple’s upcoming iPhone 16 models will all be powered by the same A18 chipset, a significant departure from the current practice of differentiating regular and Pro models with different processors. This revelation supports previous rumors and indicates a uniform performance across the entire iPhone 16 lineup.

A18 Chipset Across All Models

The latest information comes from code discovered in Apple’s backend, shared with MacRumors. The code reveals five iPhone model numbers—iPhone17,1, iPhone17,2, iPhone17,3, iPhone17,4, and iPhone17,5—indicating the chipset powering each device. This numbering scheme mirrors the one used for the iPhone 15 series, suggesting that all new iPhone models will use the same chipset. The fifth model number likely pertains to a different device, possibly the iPhone SE, while the iPhone 16 lineup is expected to feature four models in total.

Confirmation of Previous Rumors

This leak supports earlier speculation that the iPhone 16 series will feature the same A18 chipset across all models. This represents a departure from the iPhone 15 series, where the regular models (iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus) are powered by the A16 Bionic chip, while the Pro models (iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max) feature the more advanced A17 Pro chip.

Potential Differentiation Within the A18 Chipset

While it is anticipated that all iPhone 16 models will share the A18 chipset, there might still be distinctions in performance. Rumors suggest that the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus might use a standard A18 chip, whereas the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max could be equipped with a more powerful A18 Pro chip. This differentiation could involve varying numbers of GPU cores, with the Pro models having superior graphics performance.

Implications for Apple Intelligence and Future iPhone SE

The uniform use of the A18 chipset across all iPhone 16 models and a potential future iPhone SE is likely driven by the requirements of Apple Intelligence features set to debut in iOS 18. These features necessitate a high-powered chip capable of handling on-device AI tasks, ensuring that all future devices can support advanced machine learning and artificial intelligence functionalities.

Conclusion

The confirmation that all iPhone 16 models will feature the same A18 chipset marks a significant shift in Apple’s strategy, potentially offering more consistent performance across its entire lineup. As Apple prepares to launch the iPhone 16 series in September, this development promises to enhance user experience with powerful, AI-driven capabilities across all models.