What you should know
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- Apple‘s A18 Pro application processor will be made using TSMC’s second-generation 3nm node (N3E) and is designed to support on-device AI for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
- The A18 Pro will feature a larger die area compared to its predecessor, the A17 Pro, which will allow it to accommodate more transistors or specialized components for enhanced on-device AI capabilities.
- There is growing demand for Apple’s A18 chip, with the A18 Pro version expected to significantly increase the number of built-in AI computing cores and feature a more powerful Neural Engine.
- Apple’s AI initiatives, including potential cloud-based AI collaborations with Google and the advancements in the A18 and A18 Pro chipsets, are anticipated to be highlighted during the WWDC 2024 Keynote in June.
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Full Story
Jeff Pu, an analyst at Haitong International Tech Research, dropped some intriguing info in a note to clients. This note, which somehow found its way to 9to5Google, spills the beans on Apple’s next big thing. Apple’s cooking up some changes for the A18 Pro application processor (AP), making it a step up from its older sibling, the A17 Pro AP. And guess what? It’s being crafted with TSMC’s fancy second-gen 3nm tech.
But here’s the kicker. The A18 Pro isn’t just getting a tech upgrade. It’s being designed to let the iPhone 16 Pro and its big brother, the iPhone 16 Pro Max, flex some serious on-device AI muscle. Pu’s got the scoop, saying, “Our supply chain checks show a spike in demand for Apple’s A18. Meanwhile, the A17 Pro’s buzz has kinda plateaued since February.” He’s noticing a trend towards beefier chips for edge AI computing, with the A18 Pro sporting a larger die area. More room means more transistors or specialized bits and bobs for smarter AI capabilities right on your phone.
Oh, and for those eyeing the iPhone 16 Pro Max? It’ll be powered by this 3nm A18 Pro powerhouse. Pu’s chatter about edge AI computing is all about doing AI stuff on the device itself, rather than relying on cloud-based brainpower. There’s also some buzz about Apple and Google possibly joining forces on cloud AI stuff for iOS 18. And if rumors hold true, the A18 and its Pro sibling will be AI juggernauts, thanks to a beefed-up Neural Engine.
For the iPhone 16 lineup, the base models are expected to run on the 3nm A18 SoC, while the Pro versions will get the more robust A18 Pro SoC. Just for context, the current iPhone 15 series uses the 4nm A16 Bionic SoC for the standard models and the 3nm A17 Pro SoC for the Pro variants. As for what’s next, we’re all ears for the WWDC 2024 Keynote this June. Apple’s AI ambitions and the new chipsets are sure to be hot topics.
