Report Claims iPhone 16 to Get Display Size Upgrades with Apple's A18 Using TSMC's 'N3E' Process Once Again
The A18 has been mentioned in leaked iOS 18 code to be a part of Apple’s upcoming iPhone 16 lineup, and where the A17 Pro was fabricated using TSMC’s first-generation 3nm process, the upcoming SoC is said to take advantage of the improved N3E node. With this transition, the A18 becomes the third smartphone chipset alongside the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 and Dimensity 9400 to use the second-generation 3nm lithography, but one report also dives into the other upgrades arriving to the iPhone 16 family, which should help rack up sales for the company in regions where it is struggling.
In addition to the A18, generative AI, an upgraded 48MP camera, and increased display sizes are just a few improvements reportedly arriving to the iPhone 16 series. It has been stated numerous times that the A18 will use TSMC’s ‘N3E’ process, but China Times has decided to mention this information again. Whether Apple intends to re-brand the A17 Pro and use the ‘A18’ moniker for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus while using the A18 Pro for the more expensive models is something we have yet to confirm, but there is evidence that the California-based might have two A-series chips readied in the fourth quarter.
According to a Geekbench 6 leak, the A18 Pro obtained an unrivaled single-core score, though its multi-core score struggled compared to what the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 and Dimensity 9400 achieved. We will likely see updated scores prior to the iPhone 16 launch, so it is best not to be disappointed for now. The improved silicon will reportedly be accompanied by other upgrades, such as generative AI, an improved 48MP rear camera, and expanded display sizes that go up to 6.9 inches to combat a sales slump, particularly in China.
However, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that Apple would witness a 15 percent shipments decline this year because the iPhone 16 lacks compelling features, and his sentiment was shared by Barclays analysts, whose research note stated the same reason for a sales deceleration. Then again, it is not like Apple is the only company hit hard by a slowing economy, as other technology firms are faring the same. However, the iPhone is Apple’s cash cow, with the company’s Q1 2024 earnings displaying solid proof, so it is in the firm’s best interest to add as many attractive features to the iPhone 16 this year as possible.