Apple's next iPhone might be stuck with one of the latest Apple-original chips than getting the latest when it's released.
The Cupertino-based company is expected to introduce four new iPhone 14 models in the second half of 2022, but only the higher-end "Pro series" would get the company's latest processor, which could mean Apple's new A16 chip, per TrendForce.
Apple's A16 chip is still being developed as of the writing of this article.
Apple 14 Pro A16 Chip Details
According to TrendForce's article, the base iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max models will use the iPhone 13's A15 Bionic chip, a fact independently confirmed by 9to5Mac. However, the iPhone 14 will have 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM instead of 4GB.
The standard iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max models are both considered entry-level phones.
Meanwhile, Apple iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone Pro Max models will come equipped with the company's A16 processor, which is rumored to have a 5nm fabrication process, just like the A14 and A15, per a separate 9to5Mac article.
This report may seem odd at first, but Ming-Chi Kuo's report in March that only the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max will be equipped with Apple's latest processor.
Kuo's findings, along with 9to5Mac stating that its independent sources reporting the same thing, suggests that there may be some truth to TrendForce's findings, or has confirmed the information Kuo and 9to5Mac's sources.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman also reported in April that the entry-level iPhone 14 models would get the A15 chip, while the higher-end Pro models would get the A16, further solidifying TrendForce's claims.
This move would be the first time Apple breaks from its tradition of equipping all flagship iPhones with the same processor, as in the case of the iPhone 13, with all models having the same A15 chip installed in them, per MacRumors.
Although the reason for the exclusivity of the A16 was not made clear, it could be due to the ongoing global semiconductor shortage, forcing Apple to dedicate its entire supply chain to produce the more expensive iPhone 14 models., as Gurman mentioned in his report.
Apple iPhone 14 With A15 Chip - Not So Bad As it Sounds
Although the entry-level iPhone 14 models are being excluded from getting Apple's A16chip, it isn't as bad as it sounds.
The A15 chip that Apple will be installing into the affected iPhone 14 models will have almost the same performance as the higher-end iPhone 13 models since they will be given 6GB of RAM instead of 4GB, along with a five-core GPU used by the iPhone 13 Pro models.
However, whether Apple will commit to its supposed decision to break from tradition or not will be known at the company's upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference, which will be held online from June 6 through 10, per Apple's announcement.
The event is said to showcase "the latest innovations in iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS," while allowing developers to learn how to create apps and interactive experiences for Apple's devices.
