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Tom's Guide
04-06-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
iPhone 18 Pro performance rumor means you may want to skip iPhone 17 Pro
The iPhone 17 series may not be here yet, but we've already started hearing rumors about what the iPhone 18 series may have to offer. The latest reiterates claims we've heard already, suggesting the upcoming A20 chipset will be built using a 2nm process. The information comes from analyst Jeff Pu, in a research note from GF Securities (via MacRumors). Pu claims that the iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max and the upcoming iPhone Fold will be powered by this chip. No word on what this means for the iPhone 18 and 18 Air, but if rumors are to be believed these phones may not be released until March 2027 — roughly six months after the Pro models. Hopefully Apple still offers an A20 chipset in those phones, even if it doesn't offer quite as much performance power. For those unfamiliar with the process, building smaller chips this way offers better transistor density, which offers a significant boost to both performance and energy efficiency. This means the iPhone 18 Pro should be significantly more powerful than the iPhone 17 Pro, while also lasting longer on a single charge. Past reports have suggested that these chips could be up to 15% faster while offering a 30% improvement to power efficiency compared to the still-unreleased A19 chips. That could be particularly important for future Apple Intelligence upgrades, since better performance could offer more powerful on-device features. Rumor has it the iPhone 18 Pro could also feature the first fully-under display Face ID system Apple has produced since the feature's inception back in 2017. What this means is that all the necessary facial recognition hardware will be hidden away, leaving the front camera as the only visible cut-out in the screen. The camera itself is then rumored to be going under the display in 2027, to mark the 20th anniversary of the original iPhone. However all these changes have only been rumored for the Pro models, and it's unclear if and when the non-Pro iPhones will get these changes. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. That 20th anniversary iPhone, whether it's called iPhone 19 or iPhone 20, is supposedly going to lay the groundwork for all future iPhones. That phone has been described as a "mostly-glass curved iPhone" complete with a new wraparound display on all four sides of the device. Meanwhile the iPhone 17 series isn't expected to be quite so ground-breaking. Though dummy units and renders suggest that we will be seeing a new full-width camera bar on the rear of the Pro models and the iPhone 17 Air. The Air, of course, is a brand new design replacing the iPhone 17 Plus, designed to emphasise style with an ultra-thin design. You can read more about all four iPhone 17 phones, and keep up with all the latest news and rumors, in our iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max hubs.


India Today
04-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and Fold likely to be powered by Apple A20 using breakthrough 2nm tech
Apple is planning a major change in the way it builds chips for its iPhones, and the impact could be huge. In a research note with equity research firm GF Securities this week, Apple analyst Jeff Pu claimed that the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and Apple's first foldable phone — possibly called the iPhone 18 Fold — will all be powered by a brand-new A20 chip. What makes this chip special is that it is expected to be made using TSMC's second-generation 2nm technology, which will be the most advanced in the smartphone world when it arrives in now, Apple's latest iPhones use chips built on the 3nm process, like the A18 Pro in the iPhone 16 Pro. Moving to 2nm means the chip will be even smaller and more power-efficient, which could lead to better battery life and smoother performance. But the real game-changer lies in how this chip will be to use new chip packaging tech for first time on iPhoneThe A20 chip won't just be powerful because of the 2nm process. Apple is also said to use a new chip packaging technique called WMCM, or Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module. While that might sound too technical, here's a simple way to understand it: Think of a chip as a tiny brain, and memory (RAM) as its workspace. In most phones today, these parts are connected using a small "bridge" — like a tiny road. But in this new packaging method, Apple will place the chip and memory closer together, right at the wafer level, without using that road or bridge at closer connection can help the chip work faster and use less power, especially for tasks that need quick memory access — like AI, image processing, and high-end games. It is similar to how in a kitchen, if everything you need is within reach, you work faster and more already preparing for large-scale productionBehind the scenes, Apple's chip partner TSMC is getting ready to build these new A20 chips using WMCM, according to Pu. The company is setting up a dedicated production line and expects to start producing up to 50,000 wafers per month by late 2026. That number could more than double in 2027 as more devices adopt this tech. For your reference, a wafer is a thin, round slice of semiconductor material (usually silicon) on which thousands of tiny chips are made. Apple's move to this new packaging also shows how quickly smartphone chips are catching up with high-end computer chips used in data centres and AI iPhone could become a hardware testbedInterestingly, Apple is not just limiting this new chip to the Pro models. The iPhone 18 Fold, which will be Apple's first foldable iPhone, is also expected to come with the A20 chip. This suggests Apple sees its foldable not just as a fancy new design, but also as a serious performer with cutting-edge hardware this change in chip design could bring major improvements to speed, efficiency, and even heat management. For everyday users, that could mean longer battery life, faster app launches, and better handling of AI features — all without needing a bigger battery or thicker Apple hasn't confirmed any of this officially. But, with the iPhone 18 lineup still more than a year away, these early reports already give us a hint at how Apple is planning to stay ahead in the smartphone race.


Hans India
02-06-2025
- Hans India
iPhone 17 May Reuse iPhone 16 Chipset: What It Means for Buyers in 2025
Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 series, expected to launch in September 2025, is already generating buzz — and some concern — among tech enthusiasts. According to a fresh leak, the base model of the iPhone 17 could be powered by the same A18 chip that will feature in the standard iPhone 16, raising eyebrows about the level of year-on-year improvement users can expect. The insight comes from analyst Jeff Pu, who shared a research note with GF Securities, stating that the entry-level iPhone 17 will stick with the A18 chip manufactured using TSMC's second-generation 3nm N3E process. While the chip is efficient and offers solid performance, the decision to retain it could disappoint buyers looking for a leap forward in hardware capabilities. This wouldn't be the first time Apple has taken this approach. A similar strategy was seen with the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14, both of which featured the same A15 Bionic chip. That move, coupled with similar display and camera specs, sparked criticism for offering minimal innovation, especially as the iPhone 14 launched at the same price as its predecessor. Apple did respond with the iPhone 15 by adding a 48-megapixel main camera, design changes, and a new processor, all while keeping the launch price at ₹79,999 in India. If Apple follows a similar pricing roadmap, the iPhone 17 may also debut at ₹79,999, while the iPhone 16 could receive a ₹10,000 price cut post-launch — likely dropping to ₹69,999 and making it a competitive option for cost-conscious buyers. However, despite the lack of a new processor, Apple is reportedly planning significant improvements in other key areas. Most notably, the iPhone 17 may come with a slightly larger 6.3-inch display — an upgrade from the 6.1-inch screen on the iPhone 16. More excitingly, the device is rumoured to introduce ProMotion support for the first time on a non-Pro iPhone, enabling a 120Hz refresh rate. This would offer a noticeably smoother experience during scrolling, gaming, and video playback. The front camera is also in line for a major update. Apple is said to be doubling the resolution from 12 megapixels to 24 megapixels, potentially resulting in crisper and more detailed selfies. This change could be especially appealing to younger users, influencers, and content creators who rely heavily on front-facing cameras. Meanwhile, the rear camera is expected to remain at 48 megapixels, though it will likely still lack the 5x telephoto zoom available on the Pro models. Battery specifications are yet to be confirmed. However, given the larger screen, Apple may equip the iPhone 17 with a slightly bigger battery than the 3,582mAh unit currently found in the iPhone 16 Pro. In essence, the iPhone 17 — at least in its base form — seems to be focused on refinement rather than groundbreaking innovation. While the repeated use of the A18 chip might seem underwhelming to some, improvements in the display, camera, and potentially battery life could still make it an attractive upgrade, especially if Apple maintains its current pricing strategy. Of course, these insights are based on early leaks and reports.


India Today
02-06-2025
- India Today
iPhone 17 is said to use the same chip as iPhone 16: What this means for you
The iPhone 17 series is likely to launch in September 2025, and leaks have already started painting a picture of what users can expect from the next iPhone lineup. Among the more surprising revelations is that Apple may not offer a newer chip on the base iPhone 17 model. As per a research note shared by analyst Jeff Pu with GF Securities, the entry-level iPhone 17 will be powered by the same A18 chip that is being used by the standard iPhone 16 A18 chip, produced using TSMC's second-generation 3nm process (N3E), is no slouch in terms of efficiency and performance. However, if Apple does not upgrade the chip on the iPhone 17, it could disappoint some users, especially those expecting meaningful year-on-year improvements. But this move isn't new for Apple. We've seen a similar strategy before, with the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14. Both shared the same A15 Bionic chip and had identical camera and display specs. The iPhone 14 launched at the same price as its predecessor, but the lack of significant upgrades led to criticism about a perceived lack of innovation. Apple appeared to respond with the iPhone 15, which introduced a 48-megapixel main camera, a newer chip, a slightly different design and some other refinements, all without a price hike. In India, the iPhone 13, 14, and 15 were each introduced at Rs 79, If the iPhone 17 indeed uses the same chip as the iPhone 16, it's likely that Apple will retain the same pricing strategy. So, buyers can expect the iPhone 17 to launch at Rs 79,999 in India, while the iPhone 16 may receive a Rs 10,000 price cut after launch, similar to previous years. That could put the iPhone 16 at around Rs 69,999, making it a tempting Apple is expected to introduce some notable changes in areas other than the processor. For one, the iPhone 17 is rumoured to feature a 6.3-inch display, slightly larger than the 6.1-inch screen on the iPhone 16. More importantly, the phone may finally get ProMotion support, bringing a 120Hz refresh rate to the standard iPhone model for the first time. This would make scrolling and video playback much smoother, addressing a long-standing gap between the standard and Pro the camera front, Apple is tipped to double the resolution of the front camera, moving from a 12-megapixel to a 24-megapixel sensor. This should result in sharper and more detailed selfies, a change that could appeal to younger users and content creators. The rear camera is likely to remain a 48-megapixel unit, without the 5x telephoto zoom found on the Pro details for the iPhone 17 remain unclear, but with a larger display on the cards, Apple may opt to fit in a bigger battery than the 3,582mAh unit seen on the iPhone 16 short, the iPhone 17 could be more about refinement than reinvention, at least for the base model. While the lack of a new chip may come as a let down for some, upgrades like a smoother display, improved selfie camera, and possibly better battery life might still make the iPhone 17 a compelling choice, provided Apple holds the line on pricing. But, all these details are based on the leaks. Hence, people are advised to take them with a pinch of salt. But, users can stay tuned to India Today Tech for all the updates regarding the upcoming iPhone 17 series.


Tom's Guide
31-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
All four iPhone 17 models just tipped for ‘metalens' upgrade
The Pro Max version of Apple's beloved iPhone tends to be first in line for significant redesigns and upgrades, but Apple's rumored metalens technology, which promises to significantly shrink the size of the Dynamic Island, could come to all four iPhone 17 models. That's according to GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu, who made the prediction in a research note first spotted by 9to5Mac this week. Previously, Pu said only the iPhone 17 Pro Max would get this design change, but now he's changed his tune and claims all four iPhones will incorporate metalens technology. For the uninitiated, metalens are flat lenses that use metasurfaces to focus light toward the image sensor. It's a serious upgrade from the kind of curved lenses used in most phones. Rumor has it Apple will use a metalens for Face ID that integrates the transmitter and receiver components to reduce the overall size and thickness. That lines Apple up to shrink the Dynamic Island by extension, an upgrade iPhone owners have been calling for since the introduction of Apple's selfie camera spot. Though its dimensions on the iPhone 17 and what kind of size difference we can expect remain up in the air. The Dynamic Island, which houses Face ID sensors and the front camera in addition to showcasing Live Activities, was initially introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro and has remained roughly the same size since. Eventually, Apple's rumored to bring Face ID beneath the display entirely, but that's not expected until at least the iPhone 18. Keep in mind that this all remains the subject of speculation for now. Another Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed back in January that the Dynamic Island's size will remain "largely unchanged" with Apple's upcoming iPhone line. Both leakers have proven track records of sharing accurate details about Apple's product line-up, so we'll have to wait and see which predictions pan out. We won't know for sure until Apple's official launch event, which is expected to go down in September if history serves. In the meantime, be sure to check out all the latest news and rumors in our iPhone 17 hub. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.