Apple launched its latest iPhone 15 lineup earlier this month. The series includes four smartphones — iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. The less expensive iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are powered by the A16 Bionic chipset which was used in last year’s iPhone 14 Pro models. Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 Pro models feature the latest A17 Pro chipset which is based on TSMC’s 3nm node.
The rumours about next year’s iPhone 16 lineup have already started making the rounds of the internet. According to a report by MacRumours, Apple supply chain analyst Jeff Pu has claimed that all four iPhone 16 models will be equipped with A18-branded chips.
In a research note by investment firm Haitong International Securities released this week, Pu said “we view A17 Pro as a transition design and now expect all the iPhone 16 models to feature A18, on TSMC’s N3E.”
Pu also revealed the specific chipsets that are expected to arrive with each iPhone 16 model:

iPhone 16: What to expect
N3E refers to TSMC’s second-generation 3nm chip fabrication process. This new process is less expensive and has improved yield compared to the company’s first-generation 3nm process, N3B. The N3B process is used for the A17 Pro chip in the iPhone 15 Pro models.
As mentioned above, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are equipped with the A16 Bionic chip. The 3 nm-based A18 chip in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models would be a notable upgrade.
The iPhone 16 lineup is around a year away from launching and Pu has already predicted the marketing names of the chipsets. However, it remains to be seen if Apple moves forward with A18 and A18 Pro branding. Just like this year’s chipset, the iPhone maker may also brand its iPhone 16 chips as the A17 and A18 Pro.