Apple A17 Bionic Could be 35% More Power Efficient, Driving Replacement Demand For iPhone 15 Pro Models

While the iPhone 15 launch is still some time away, Apple is readying the chipset that is expected to power the Pro models later this year. The Pro variants of the upcoming iPhones are expected to be powered by the Apple A17 Bionic chip, after a lackluster release with the iPhone 14 Pro bringing little changes.

However, as per reports coming from Taiwan, the A17 Bionic can pack significant improvements in processing power and power efficiency.

Apple A17 Bionic Could Mark a Big Jump in Performance

According to a report by Digitimes, the Apple A17 Bionic is being built by TSMC on a 3nm FinFet technology process, which insiders believe will be a key feature driving "replacement demand" among current iPhone users, combined with upgraded cameras and USB-C charging port.

The report claimed the Apple A17 Bionic could be expected to offer a massive 35% improvement in power efficiency thanks to the cutting edge manufacturing process. Apple has reportedly contracted the entire first production run on TSMC's 3nm nodes, which will make Apple the only brand to use chips built on the process in 2023.

Qualcomm has said it is holding back on jumping on the next-gen node, and assessing the situation, while MediaTek has cited 'high production costs' for refraining from using the process. As a result, the Apple A17 Bionic could outperform the upcoming Snapdragon and MediaTek flagship chips by miles.

Samsung too is reportedly ready with its 3nm production node, and may look to woo the others with lower costs, in a bid to take competition back to Apple. However, no such deal has been made public just yet.

A17 Bionic May Power iPhone 15 Pro, Pro Max Models

With the iPhone 14 lineup, Apple has adopted a dual SoC approach, keeping the base models on the older chipsets, while upgrading the Pro models with the latest offerings, creating further differentiation among the latest iPhones. The same practice is expected to be carried forward in 2023, with the 3nm Apple A17 Bionic expected to power the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. The smartphones are expected to sport a refreshed design including a periscope telephoto camera for higher optical zoom, and solid-state volume and power buttons.

The iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Plus will likely stick to the A16 Bionic chipset, even as all four models are expected to be upgraded to USB-C charging ports, with the Dynamic Island feature democratized to the base models.