Apple Backend Code Continues to Reveal Secrets | What Has It Revealed So Far?
Credit: Pwign / TwitterToggle Dark Mode
Apple’s backend code continues to be the gift that keeps on giving when it comes to revealing secrets about possible upcoming new Apple devices. Let’s take a look at what it’s shown us recently.
In the past few days, we’ve reported that the backend code contains references to a new home accessory as well as new iPads. However, we have also found other indicators in the code.
New Home Accessory
As we reported yesterday, code in Apple’s backend confirms that the Cupertino company is working on a long-rumored home accessory to join its Apple TV and HomePod devices.
The code includes references to a “HomeAccessory17,1” identifier, which is a new device category.
As noted yesterday, Apple’s HomePods have always used “AudioAccessory” identifiers. The original 2017 HomePod was “AudioAccessory1,1,” while “AudioAccessory5,1” was used to identify the HomePod mini, and “AudioAccessory6,1” identifies the early 2023 second-generation HomePod.
The backend code indicates that the “home accessory” will run a version of Apple’s tvOS operating system, which currently powers the company’s Apple TV and HomePod.
New iPads
We also reported that Nicolás Álvarez has found backend code that potentially identifies four new iPad models on the way, including an 11th-gen iPad powered by an A16 chip, as well as a 13-inch iPad Pro with an M5 chip. It should be noted that the identities of the devices include a bit of speculation and there may be a wildcard device in there.
The identifiers and upcoming models they may be referring to include:
- iPad15,7 – A16 11th-Generation WiFi iPad
- iPad15,8 – A16 11th-Generation Cellular iPad
- iPad16,1 – A17 7th-Generation WiFi iPad mini
- iPad16,2 – A17 7th-Generation Cellular iPad mini
- iPad17,1 – M5 11-inch WiFi iPad Pro
- iPad17,2 – M5 11-inch Cellular iPad Pro
- iPad17,3 – M5 13-inch WiFi iPadPro
- iPad17,4 – M5 13-inch Cellular iPad Pro
The chip names are derived from the identifiers. However, an 11th-generation iPad powered by an A16 processor means owners of the iPad would have a brand-new device that would not be able to run Apple Intelligence, which is Apple’s headline feature in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. While you would think that Apple would want its new iPads to be capable of running Apple Intelligence, they may want to push the purchase of the more expensive iPad Air and iPad Pro models.
New Apple TV?
The backend code discovered this week also includes references to a pair of unreleased Apple TVs, as there were identifiers for “AppleTV14,4” and “AppleTV14,5.” Many rumors have indicated that we can expect to see a new Apple TV launch in 2024.
However, in early June, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said a new Apple TV release was not “imminent.” Gurman said if we do see one later this year, it’s likely to be little more than a spec bump to bring it up to a current A-series chip. Gurman also said the new Apple TV could also sport a lower price.
A18 Chips to Power Entire iPhone 16 Lineup
Apple’s backend code also mentions five new iPhone model numbers that are not associated with any existing iPhones. All of the iPhones include the numbering scheme Apple uses for its flagship iPhones.
The code includes the following identifiers:
- iPhone17,1
- iPhone17,2
- iPhone17,3
- iPhone17,4
- iPhone17,5
The current iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models are powered by the A16 Bionic chip, which first powered the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max handsets. Those models carried the identifiers of iPhone 15,2 and iPhone 15,3 for the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, respectively. Meanwhile, Apple’s high-end iPhones, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are powered by the A17 Pro chip, which is the 16,x identifier.
While the upcoming iPhone 16 models will all be powered by a new A18 chip, there could still be differences between the standard and Pro iPhone 16 models. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus could use an A18 chip with a GPU core or two disabled, while the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max could have all GPU cores enabled.
We’ll keep an eye out for any more bits of information in Apple’s code for its backend operations, as well as its upcoming iOS 18, iPadOS 18, tvOS 18, and other operating systems, which are currently in beta testing and will be available this fall. Stay tuned for more info.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]
