What pleasures will the iPhone 14 series hold for us when it launches later this year? Those of you hoping for a major performance boost from the iPhone 13 may end up disappointed, if recently leaked information is to be believed.
According to Taiwanese research firm TrendForce (via MacRumors (Opens in a new tab)), only the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max models will get an all-new A16 chip – the standard iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max phones. it will stay with the current A15 processor.
It's also not the first time we've heard this rumour: In March, prominent Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that the two most expensive iPhone 14 models would be the only ones to have the upgraded chipset level.
However, the same
Kuo also tweeted (opens in a new tab) about the process used to create these A16 chips; They will apparently use the same 5-nanometer technology as the A15 versions, instead of jumping to a square-style 4-nanometer architecture.
Simply put, a lower number means better performance and efficiency without any change in physical size. In other words, even iPhone 14 models with an A16 chip might not be much faster than their equivalent iPhone 13 versions. This is another rumor that has been doing the rounds for a while now.
What's not clear is why the iPhone is only getting a slight performance boost this year, though the ongoing effects of the pandemic and ongoing global chip shortages, as well as recent coronavirus lockdowns in countries where iPhones are made Apple chips may well have something to do with it. with that.
Analysis: The need for speed
It would be a real starting point for Apple if the next line of iPhones were differentiated by the internal processor used. Until now, every iPhone released in a given cycle has used the same chip, and that includes the affordable iPhone SE.
Making the A16 an iPhone 14 Pro and an exclusive iPhone 14 Pro Max would certainly be an unusual move, but it might not be a bad move: It can be difficult to pinpoint the key differences between the four flagship iPhones that typically launch each year. , and that would certainly add some clarity.
Let's not forget that the A15 chipset is still a super fast processor that outperforms most of the competition on the market right now. It could be argued that the iPhone 13 models have more power under the hood than they actually need, so devices launching in 2022 won't have any performance issues either.
The move could also help lower the prices of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max. We should know for sure in September if Apple is sticking to its traditional schedule, and of course we'll keep you posted in the meantime.