Exclusive | iPhone 14 A16/A16 Pro Very Likely + Model Pricing and Differences

A couple of weeks ago, Ming-Chi Kuo suggested Apple could save the A16 chip for the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max, while the iPhone 14 and 14 Max would use the A15 – the same chip in the iPhone 13 lineup and the iPhone SE. I speculated what Apple could do to avoid criticism, and it turns out that’s what they plan to do.

As far as I know, Apple is seriously considering using the A15 in the non-pro iPhones later this year. However, the Cupertino-based company plans to call it the A16 chip. And that’s not all. Apple plans to use what the company wanted to be the A16 in the “pro” iPhones and call it the A16 Pro.

This makes perfect sense; let me tell you why.

Apple and its partners are struggling to manufacture all the A16 and M2 chips they need, and they have to prioritize one of them, and that’s going to be the M2. 

This decision would cause a shortage of A16 chips and, therefore, a lack of iPhones. However, Apple wants to make the play of the year by using existing A15 chips in the iPhone 14 and 14 Max but calling them A16 instead.

The Cupertino-based company will use all the real A16 chips it can manufacture, put them inside the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max, name them A16 Pro, and call it a day.

Why Is This Good?

Well, this is good for various reasons, let me tell you.

Using the A15 instead of a new chip on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max will keep manufacturing costs down, which will allow Apple to price these models at the same price as the iPhone 13 – and for those of you who want to know, the iPhone 14 Max will cost $100 more than the 14.

This move will help Apple avoid significant shipping delays, so you shouldn’t be worried about it this year.

There is something bad about this, although I had already told you about it, the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max will cost more.

If I’m not wrong, the iPhone 14 Max will cost $899, and that’s $100 less than the iPhone 13 Pro. That won’t be the case with the 14 Pro.

I expect it to cost $1099 at best. There has to be a $200 difference between the Pro and non-pro version. 

1. One is aluminum; the other is stainless steel.
2. One has two cameras; the other has three cameras and a LiDAR scanner.
3. One has a notch; the other has a punch+pill camera system.

There are many more differences, but those are the most important ones, and they are worth way more than a $100 difference.

As I’ve been saying all this year, Apple plans to differentiate the Pro from the non-pro iPhones, including their pricing. We can now add one more thing to the list, A16 Pro for the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max.

I hope you found this article helpful. Let me know what you think in the comments. As always, have a fantastic day.

[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.]