it was previously reported that iPhone 14 Pro models will be the only variants in the lineup featuring the new A16 Bionic chip. Taiwanese firm TrendForce has corroborated this in a new report.
Next-gen A16 Bionic chip will be restricted to iPhone 14 Pro models this year
In a report about global smartphone production in Q1 2022, TrendForce highlighted the upcoming launch of Apple’s iPhone 14 lineup scheduled for the second half of 2022. The research firm went on to note that, unlike prior offerings, the next-generation Apple Bionic chip will be reserved for the Pro models in the lineup.
TF Securities analyst back in March revealed that the tech giant will be differentiating the chips that will be used in the Pro and non-Pro iPhones. The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max will be equipped with the A16 Bionic chip while the standard iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max will feature the same A15 Bionic chip as last year’s iPhone 13 lineup.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also touched on this rumor in April corroborating Ming-Chi Kuo’s prediction that the standard iPhone 14 models “are likely to stick to the A15 from last year or a variant of it,” while the Pro variants will feature the new A16 Bionic chip.
Analysts believe Apple is planning to further differentiate its standard and Pro models this year. One of the reasons for using the new chipset in iPhone 14 Pro models could be the ongoing global chip shortage.
Apart from the chipset, the Pro and non-Pro models will also feature different cameras. The new 48-megapixel Wide camera will be exclusive to the Pro models, while the standard iPhone 14 models will feature a 12-megapixel Wide camera.
On the A16 Bionic chip, Kuo also revealed that the A16 Bionic chip will continue to be made using 5nm tech similar to the A14 and A15 Bionic chips. This year’s chip is still expected to offer improved performance and efficiency than last year’s chip.
From what we have heard about the iPhone 14 lineup in the past couple of months, we predict that the models sport a thicker design and a larger rear-camera bump. In addition, the Pro models are expected to feature a new pill + hole-punch camera cutout.
Apple’s iPhone 14 lineup will feature four models this year: iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Max, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max. The lineup is on track to be launched in September, despite rumors about production delays.
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