Apple is set to release four new iPhone 16 models this year, all of which will feature the same A18 chip according to recent reports. The discovery of Apple's backend code by Nicolás Alvarez and MacRumors has confirmed that all devices with the same chip have an identifier that starts with the same number. This marks a departure from Apple's previous practice of using different silicon in different phones, reserving newer chipsets for the latest Pro models while turning to last year's system-on-chip for standard iPhones.
The iPhone 16 lineup is expected to include an Action button for performing shortcuts and a Capture button for launching the camera. Additionally, the iPhone 16 is rumored to be able to capture spatial video, which can be viewed on compatible headsets like the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3.
Apple's manufacturing orders for its next batch of iPhone chips have reportedly increased by up to 12% compared to last year, reaching as high as 100 million units. This suggests that Apple is expecting strong demand for the new iPhones, possibly driven in part by the inclusion of Apple Intelligence technology in beta with iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and MacOS Sequoia this fall.
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will feature more RAM than their predecessors, increasing from 6GB to 8 GB. There have also been rumors of a significantly faster Neural Engine in the new iPhones.
It's unclear why there are five model identifiers in Apple's backend code, but it is only expected that four iPhone 16 models will be released this year.
Apple Intelligence technology was announced last month and will be available as a premium feature on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. The technology uses artificial intelligence to provide users with personalized recommendations, automate tasks, and improve overall user experience.
The increase in manufacturing orders for the new iPhones comes amidst growing competition in the tech industry. Tech companies like Microsoft, AMD, Intel and Nvidia are also investing heavily in AI technologies and rolling out newly branded products they call AI PCs or Copilot Plus PCs. The demand for these advanced technologies is expected to drive sales during the holiday shopping season.
Apple's decision to use the same chip for all four iPhone 16 models marks a shift towards more uniformity in its product lineup. This could make it easier for consumers to choose between models based on other features, such as screen size and camera quality. It also allows Apple to focus its resources on developing new technologies and improving the overall user experience across its entire iPhone lineup.
