As soon as the iPhone was unveiled, Apple is already preparing the sequel. Indeed, the Cupertino company intends to rely on an updated version of TSMC’s latest chip manufacturing technology for its iPhones and MC computers in 2023, according to Nikkei Asia. The next range of smartphones from the Apple brand should thus carry 3 nm chips.
Concretely, Apple intends to use N3E technology for its A17 processor, currently under development. This etching process, which should be available in the second half of 2023, offers 34% energy savings compared to N5 at equal frequencies, or 18% more performance at equivalent power, all with a transistor density of 60 % higher. Therefore, the A17 chip, with an engraving of 3 nm, should be inaugurated at the end of 2023 with the most high-end versions of the new iPhone, until then stamped Pro. Incidentally, Apple’s future M3 chip is also expected to use the updated version of 3nm technology.
The most powerful chips reserved for the most high-end models
This approach would be similar to that favored by Apple for its iPhone 14 range, unveiled during its traditional back-to-school keynote in Cupertino. Indeed, the American giant has decided to reserve its new A16 Bionic chip, the first of the group engraved in 4 nm, for its iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. As for the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, the most affordable models in the range, they must be satisfied with the A15 chip, which appeared with the iPhone 13 launched in September 2021.
By reserving its most powerful processors for its most high-end devices, Apple will be able to more easily justify the increase in the price of its devices embedding these state-of-the-art chips. This could be a crucial shift in the American firm’s pricing strategy to further leverage its premium segment in the high-end market. This decision seems to be bearing fruit since the standard models of the iPhone 14 do not excite the crowds, according to the first figures of pre-orders. According to the always very well informed Ming-Chi Kuo, the Pro models would thus account for 55% of the iPhone 14 catalog on the first days of pre-orders.