A series of new rumors present an intriguing scenario for the upcoming iPhone 15. These iPhones are expected to come with the A17 chip inside, at least in some models, and they could stand out from the rest of the phones designed to showcase the power of Apple silicon’s 17th version.
A new, simpler and more efficient process for A17
Why? Because rumors speculate that the A17 Bionic chip, a key component in these devices, will undergo significant manufacturing process changes in 2024. This would result in a shift in the landscape following the release of the iPhone 15 models.
The A17 Bionic, a pioneer in its class, is expected to be Apple’s first chip manufactured using an advanced 3nm fabrication process, a significant leap from the previous 5nm process used in the A14, A15, and A16 series. This evolution promises significant improvements in device performance and efficiency, as smaller components result in more power and less energy consumption. However, according to reports, Apple won’t rely on a single manufacturing process for this chip. This news doesn’t come as a surprise considering the manufacturing challenge of producing the number of components required for the iPhones expected to be sold in 2023 and 2024.
Rumors suggest that the production of the A17 Bionic would commence using TSMC’s N3B process. Then, within the following year, Apple is reportedly planning to transition to the N3E process. The N3B process, developed by TSMC in collaboration with Apple, was the first 3nm node. On the other hand, the N3E is a less complex node that is more accessible to other TSMC clients. Despite having lower transistor density and fewer extreme ultraviolet (EUV) layers, the N3E is expected to deliver superior performance.
As far as we know, the transition to N3E is unlikely to occur during the lifespan of the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Therefore, we can expect the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus to be the first devices to feature the new version of the A17 Bionic chip. This move would align with the release of the iPhone 16 series, where the Pro models are expected to house the A18 chip.
Subsequently, this same N3E process would evolve to encompass the manufacturing of the next chips in Apple’s A series. Following the familiar naming convention, we would be talking about the A18 and A19 chips, which would gradually be introduced in subsequent iPhones, spanning both the Pro and entry-level models.
It’s worth noting that chip binning, the classification of chips based on their quality depending on whether they are in the center or on the edge of the wafer, is already being practiced in the current lineups. Moreover, it’s natural for Apple, given the high demand for chips across the iPhone ranges, to opt for a more efficient and rapid manufacturing process.
This change, undoubtedly, won’t be noticeable when comparing two iPhones side by side, but it will provide Apple with more time to improve its manufacturing processes. We must remember that these details are based on rumors, as reported by MacRumors via Weibo. Only an official confirmation from Apple can provide a complete clarification of the situation. In the meantime, we eagerly await the Apple Watch Ultra 2, the iPhone 15, and future releases, regardless of the specific chips they may contain.
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