Apple is gearing up to unveil the iPhone 15 lineup later this year. Various leaks have been shrouding the device’s launch, but in this latest leak, it has been reported that the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 will have different versions of the A17 Bionic chipset. What sets the iPhone 15 Pro apart from its successors is its utilization of the N3B process, TSMC‘s latest manufacturing technology. However, Apple has an even more advanced plan for the following year’s models, which will harness the enhanced N3E process. This strategic shift ensures that future iPhones deliver even greater efficiency and optimization.
N3E Process is more energy-focused, while the N3B is more performance-oriented
Compared to previous iterations like the A14, A15, and A16 chips built on the 5nm process, the A17 Bionic represents a significant leap forward with its 3nm manufacturing process. This technology will bring a lot of enhancements, greatly improving the user experience. The A17 Bionic-powered iPhone 15 Pro series will lead the way, incorporating the N3B process, while the future models will fully embrace the N3E process. TSMC has shed light on these nodes, revealing that the N3E process places a greater emphasis on power consumption control rather than pure performance. It represents a slightly more cost-effective alternative to the N3B process.
The N3E node boasts a high-density SRAM bit cell size identical to the previous N5 node, maintaining a compact 0.021 µm² size. In contrast, the N3B process achieves even greater SRAM scaling with a reduced cell size of 0.0199 µm², offering a 5% decrease compared to its predecessor. Additionally, the N3E process achieves a commendable memory density of approximately 31.8 Mib/mm².
Apple’s adoption of the 3nm process highlights its commitment to pushing technological boundaries and delivering exceptional user experiences. As we approach the launch dates of the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, users can anticipate class leading performance and energy efficiency from the new generation devices.
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