The A18 has appeared in leaked iOS 18 code as part of Apple’s iPhone 16 series. Recent reports suggest that the A18 will utilize the improved N3E node, a generation 3nm lithography making it the third smartphone chipset to do so alongside the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 and Dimensity 9400. Furthermore, Apple is expected to introduce upgrades in the iPhone 16 lineup to address sales challenges, in regions.
More About the Latest Apple A18 Chip
While there have been mentions of the A18 employing TSMC ‘N3E’ process China Times has reaffirmed this information. It is still unclear whether Apple intends to rebrand the A17 Pro as the ‘A18’ for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models while reserving the ‘A18 Pro’ name for higher tier models. However, there are indications that the company may have two A-series chips for release, in the fourth quarter.
Based on a leaked Geekbench 6 result it appears that the A18 Pro achieved a single-core score but fell behind in multi-core performance compared to Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 and Dimensity 9400. However, it’s important to note that updated scores are expected before the launch of iPhone 16 so concluding this point would be premature.
There have been rumors, about the silicon that might come with upgrades, such as generative AI, a better 48MP camera at the back, and larger displays up to 6.9 inches. These enhancements are aimed at addressing the decline in sales in China.
Nevertheless, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has predicted a 15 percent drop in Apple shipments this year attributing it to the absence of features, in the iPhone 16. This sentiment was echoed by Barclays analysts, who cited similar reasons for a slowdown in sales.
Nonetheless, Apple is not alone in facing challenges amid a sluggish economy, as other tech companies are experiencing similar struggles. With the iPhone being Apple’s primary revenue source, the company’s Q1 2024 earnings underscore its importance, making it imperative for Apple to incorporate as many enticing features as possible into the iPhone 16 this year.
