As it is known, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models will host Apple’s latest A17 Bionic processor. Apple is having the first version of the A17 Bionic processor manufactured using TSMC’s N3B process. However, things could change for the second generation A17 Bionic in 2024.
Apple will use an inefficient manufacturing process for the A17 processors
It seems like Apple has different plans for the A17 Bionic processor expected to be used in the iPhone 16 models. According to recent information, Apple will produce the A17 using the N3E process next year. It is believed that the company made this decision due to various cost issues affecting efficiency.
N3B emerges as TSMC’s original 3nm manufacturing process developed in collaboration with Apple. On the other hand, N3E will be a simpler, more accessible manufacturing process that many other TSMC customers will use. Despite its lower efficiency, Apple aims to significantly reduce costs with this manufacturing process.
N3E has fewer EUV layers and lower transistor density compared to N3B. This results in lower efficiency for the processor. However, due to being a more mature manufacturing process, there are discussions that N3E could potentially deliver better performance.
Initially, Apple planned to use N3B for the A16 Bionic chip, but as the manufacturing process was not ready on time, the company had to resort to using N4 for their current processors. Apple will likely use the N3 manufacturing process for the next-generation A18 and A19 processors.
It appears that the standard iPhone 16 models may not deliver the expected efficiency in terms of battery performance. It remains to be seen whether Apple, in its pursuit of cost reduction, will be able to justify the trade-off in efficiency. What are your thoughts on the iPhone models and the A17 Bionic processor? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments section.
{{user}} {{datetime}}
{{text}}