TSMC is already starting to produce chips with the next jump in architecture, moving to using 3nm transistors for the so-called “A17” that we’ll see in the iPhone 15 (and possibly the new ones too). Mac chips which we will see in a few months). That 3nm will allow those chips to have more transistors in the same space, which should translate to more power.
However, from Bloomberg comes an interesting fact: it seems that Apple’s main mission for these iPhone 15 chips is going to be improve efficiency versus power. And that would mean some changes.
More range means more room to maneuver
There will be a power boost in these chips, I have no doubt even months before we see them officially; but it’s possible that Apple is building its “A17” chip with an emphasis on efficiency rather than power. The main effect of this is that the iPhone 15 gain autonomy. 35% energy savings, depending on source.
Needless to comment on the logic: iPhones have more and more functions and sensors, and therefore need more and more energy. More efficient chips would help iPhones (at the very least) conserve battery life. Apple would also reserve more room to increase the power of its chips in future generations or in other devices where the batteries are not bigger.
We will never know if Apple Capara the power of its future chips in a way: we will have the raw data from the performance tests and from there we can judge. To date, a priori, Apple has time to play with these margins and optimize the improvements of the iPhone 15 at best.
Imagen | Quinn Battick
