Apple’s upcoming iPhone 15 Pro models could spark “replacement demand” from owners of older iPhones as the A17 processor, Apple’s first iPhone chip based on TSMC’s first-generation 3-nanometer process, enables significant improvements .
That’s what suppliers involved in Apple’s iPhone supply chain say. Quote from the latest DigiTimes industry report:
TSMC’s N3E (3nm Enhanced) technology will enable significant specification upgrades in the upcoming iPhone series, the sources said. Suppliers involved in the iPhone supply chain anticipate replacement needs for the 2023 models.
As we’ve been hearing lately, it’s widely expected that Apple will adopt TSMC’s 3nm technology this year for the A17 Bionic chip that will likely power the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models.
The first-generation 3nm process (aka N3) is said to deliver a 35 percent improvement in power efficiency over TSMC’s 5nm-based N4 manufacturing process used to manufacture the A16 Bionic chip for the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max was used. N3 technology will also offer significantly improved performance compared to current chips that are fabricated on 5nm.
Apple reportedly secured 100% of initial orders for first-generation 3nm technology despite higher manufacturing costs A bleak 2023 for the Android market amid global economic turmoil.
Apple’s faster A17 chips will be limited to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, while the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will inherit the A16 chip first used in the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. TSMC is poised to bring N3E – an enhanced version of N3 – into commercial production in the second half of this year, and Apple is again expected to be the first customer to adopt the process.
The 2023 iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to feature USB-C instead of Lightning, solid-state volume and power buttons, new periscope camera tech, streamlined design, and more. Check out our dedicated iPhone 15 Pro roundup for all the details.
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