Code found in Apple’s backend by Nicolás Alvarez and shared with MacRumors confirms Apple’s plans to launch 4 iPhone 16 fashions this 12 months, and it signifies that the units will all have the identical A-series chip. There are mentions of recent mannequin numbers that aren’t related to present iPhones, and which have the numbering scheme Apple makes use of for its flagship units.
The code contains the next iPhone identifiers:
- iPhone17,1
- iPhone17,2
- iPhone17,3
- iPhone17,4
- iPhone17,5
All 5 begin with the identical quantity, which means that Apple plans to make use of the identical chip for them. With the iPhone 15 fashions, which have totally different chips, the interior identifiers have separate numbers.
- iPhone 15 – iPhone 15,4
- iPhone 15 Plus – iPhone 15,5
- iPhone 15 Professional – iPhone 16,1
- iPhone 15 Professional Max – iPhone 16,2
The iPhone 15 fashions have the A16 Bionic chip that was first used within the iPhone 14 Professional fashions, which had corresponding mannequin numbers of iPhone 15,2 for the iPhone 14 Professional and iPhone 15,3 for the iPhone 15 Professional Max. The iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max have the A17 Professional chip, therefore the 16,x identifier.
Apple’s iPhones sometimes tie identifier to chip. All the things with the A16 chip has an identifier that begins with 15, and prior units that had an A15 chip all had an identifier beginning with 14. The identical goes for the 13,x identifier (A14), and the 12,x identifier (A13).
So if Apple sticks with the identifier numbering scheme it has used for years, all 4 iPhone 16 fashions could have the identical chip, and that is consistent with rumors and prior leaks. We have heard a number of rumors that the units will share a chip, and an earlier code leak in March additionally confirmed the shared identifiers.
Word that there are 5 mannequin numbers listed, and solely 4 are more likely to be related to the upcoming iPhone 16 lineup. The fifth might probably be a future iPhone SE, however there is not any solution to decide what that system is at the moment.
Whereas we do count on all 4 iPhone 16 fashions to make use of a brand new A18 chip, Apple might nonetheless differentiate between the usual fashions and the Professional fashions, even giving the chips separate A18 and A18 Professional names. Apple might use A18 chips with a smaller variety of GPU cores (both binned or disabled) for the iPhone 16 fashions, whereas saving chips with a greater GPU for the iPhone 16 Professional lineup.
It might make sense for all 4 iPhone 16 fashions and a future iPhone SE to all have the identical A18 chip due to the Apple Intelligence options set to debut in iOS 18. Apple Intelligence requires a high-powered chip for the AI options to run on-device. At the moment, solely the iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max are in a position to make use of Apple Intelligence, and Apple probably needs to ensure all future units have the ability required for machine studying and synthetic intelligence duties.
