Early iOS 18 Code Reveals A18 Chip in All iPhone 16 Models

Even though we’ll continue to see more iOS 17 updates over the next several months, the release of iOS 18 is looming ever closer as its traditional June unveiling at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) approaches.

Now comes a report from MacRumors about an early beta of iOS 18 that has some interesting information in it.

The next major iPhone operating system release, codenamed “Crystal,” seemingly includes references to four upcoming iPhone models, which jibes with what we’re expecting to see from the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineups.

Specifically, code refers to:

• D47 – iPhone 16
• D48 – iPhone 16 Plus
• D93 – iPhone 16 Pro
• D94 – iPhone 16 Pro Max

Despite previous rumors that have been tossed around, the code contained no evidence of an “iPhone Ultra” in the iPhone 16 lineup. While a new iPhone model with that name could eventually be included under the D94 device identifier, any such new device would likely carry a device moniker to clearly differentiate it from the other iPhone 16 models.

As noted by MacRumors, during the development of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple developed an alternate device identifier for the handset “D84S,” which was used for proprietary 5G modem tests. The “S” in this case likely stood for “Sinope,” which is Apple’s codename for the 5G modem it still has in development to replace the Qualcomm 5G modems currently in use. While this device was never officially released, the naming convention does provide insight into Apple’s way of doing things.

The iOS 18 operating system code also provides an insight into the chip that will power the iPhone 16 lineup, a system-on-a-chip, t8140, codenamed “Tahiti.” That’s the internal name Apple has given its next-generation A18 chip, which is referenced in relation to the full iPhone 16 lineup, including the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.

This information jibes with previous claims by industry analyst Jeff Pu, who has said the iPhone 16 lineup will be powered by an “A18” chip, while the iPhone 16 Pro lineup will use an “A18 Pro” chip.

If accurate, this would be a notable departure from Apple’s recent iPhone releases, which over the past two years have moved to incorporating the newest chips only in the higher-end “Pro” models. For example, the iPhone 15 uses the A16 chip, which debuted in the iPhone 14 Pro lineup, while the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max use an all-new A17 Pro chip, which boasts an additional GPU core, as well as a faster clock speed. The A17 Pro is built on TSMC’s more efficient 3nm process.

This trend began in 2022, when Apple left the standard iPhone 14 models behind on the A15 from the iPhone 13 Pro while using the A16 chip exclusively for the iPhone 14 Pro. Some early 2022 reports suggested Apple would use A16 and A16 Pro designations for those chips, but for whatever reason the company went with an A15/A16 split.

The iOS 18 operating system code also includes references to a Broadcom WiFi/Bluetooth module to be used in the iPhone 16 lineup, but it doesn’t include any additional information about the module.

The development of iOS 18 is still in its early days, so we’ll most assuredly see more information like this as work on the new mobile operating system continues. Keep an eye on iDrop News, as we’ll continue to publish articles about the entire range of Apple devices and accessories all year long, including more information about iOS 18, the iPhone 16 lineup, and the iPhone 16 Pro lineup.

[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.]