iPhone 16 Pro series will be equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon X75 baseband
At Apple’s autumnal product launch on September 13, 2023, the tech behemoth unveiled the iPhone 15 series, all variants of which are fortified with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X70 modem. This state-of-the-art apparatus proffers a downstream speed of 10Gbps, accommodating the full spectrum of commercial 5G frequencies ranging from 600MHz to 41GHz. It boasts universal frequency support and spectrum aggregation capabilities, including the world’s pioneering downlink quadruple-carrier aggregation across both TDD and FDD spectrums, coupled with millimeter wave and Sub-6GHz aggregation.
According to Wccftech, Apple is contemplating integrating Qualcomm’s advanced Snapdragon X75 modem into the forthcoming iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. This strategic maneuver aims not just to harness advanced 5G functionalities, but also to amplify connectivity and enhance energy efficiency. In a bid to distinguish between the standard and Pro variants, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will persist with the incumbent Snapdragon X70 modem. Historically, Apple seldom equipped an entirely new series with identical modems, making this year’s iPhone 15 series a notable exception.
Sources intimate that with the adoption of the Snapdragon X75 modem, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max could realize a 25% reduction in PCB space. Combined with the A18 Pro chip and iOS 18, power consumption might plummet by 20%, augmenting battery longevity.
DigiTimes disclosed that TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) has seen its 3nm order volume account for 4% to 6% this year, amassing a staggering $3.4 billion. Currently, TSMC is ardently advancing the production of its N3E process, which is poised to supersede the existing N3 process, empowering Apple to craft chips for its iPhone 16 series. It is understood that the N3E will refine upon the N3 by reducing the EUV photomask layers from 25 to 21, with the pivotal advantage of enhancing yield rates. As TSMC’s paramount client, Apple has already vouched for its 3nm orders for the upcoming year.
