All Four IPhone 16s Will Likely Get Apple Intelligence
Fifteen years later, Apple’s annual iPhone releases have become fairly predictable—we’re expecting four new iPhones (including two larger variants), two Pro models, and two standard devices. In recent years, you could also expect that you would need to become a Pro to get the best chips Apple had to offer. But if the reports are correct, that could change this year.
Every iPhone 16 model will want the A18 chip
As reported by MacRumors , Apple’s internal code shows that the company is working on four iPhone 16 models to be released this year. This isn’t surprising, but what is surprising is that all four models seem to reference the same A-series chip. In fact, Nicholas Alvarez discovered five Series A entries in this code, each with a unique identifier not tied to any existing iPhone:
-
iPhone17.1
-
iPhone17.2
-
iPhone17.3
-
iPhone17.4
-
iPhone17.5
Don’t be fooled by the “17” number—these names don’t refer to the iPhone 17, but to the A18 chip that Apple is developing for the iPhone 16. (Okay, maybe that’s a little confusing.) What’s interesting is that all of these entries have a nickname “iPhone17”, which shows that Apple is working on five devices with the A18 chip. (Perhaps the fifth model is the new iPhone SE ?)
If any of these iPhones used a different chip, you’d see it here in the name. As MacRumors highlights, Apple’s server code lists the iPhone 15 as “iPhone 15.4” because it uses the A16 chip, while the iPhone 15 Pro is listed as “iPhone 16.1” because it uses the A17 chip. .
For now, the good news is that all of Apple’s future iPhones will use the same chip. Over the past two product cycles, Apple has redesigned last year’s Pro chip for standard iPhones, leaving the superior A-series chip only for the latest Pro devices. The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus use the A15 chip from the iPhone 13 , while the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus use the A16 chip from the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max .
All four iPhone 16s could be ready for Apple Intelligence
While it’s possible that Apple will beef up the A18 chip in the iPhone 16 Pro to give consumers a run for their money, the likely implication of the above news is this: all four new iPhone 16s will likely be compatible with Apple Intelligence , Apple’s upcoming product. a set of generative functions of artificial intelligence.
Currently, the only iPhones officially compatible with Apple Intelligence are the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max . Even the iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Plus are not compatible even though they are as new as the 15 Pro because their A-series chips are a generation older. Given the recent hype around artificial intelligence, it makes sense that going forward the company would want all new iPhones to work with Apple Intelligence – although I’d imagine that would be true for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus regardless, since even if While Apple has stuck with its recent tradition of using last year’s Pro chips in base models, these iPhones would come with the iPhone 15 Pros’ A17 chip, which is Apple Intelligence-ready.
The standard iPhone 16 may be the best value for money.
Either way, it looks like this year’s standard iPhone 16 will be a bargain for anyone looking to balance their device’s power with price. I’m sure Apple will improve the 16 Pro in other ways, perhaps with more expensive A18 processors, superior cameras, and other exclusive features. But if you’re just looking for an iPhone that can take advantage of Apple’s latest AI features without spending $1,000 for the privilege, it looks like the iPhone 16 will be just that phone.