That’s according to a report by The Financial Times which describes Apple’s adoption of the V9 architecture as “the latest step in the Cupertino tech giant’s push to bring generative artificial intelligence features to its smartphones.”
The move is expected to solidify the Apple’s ongoing partnership with SoftBank-owned Arm.
The iPhone 16, which contributes nearly half of Apple’s total revenue, will be the first smartphone to leverage Arm’s V9 chip design.
Launched in 2021, the V9 architecture offers a more advanced set of instructions for chip design, ensuring greater processing power and efficiency.
Apple has already incorporated V9 into its M4 MacBook chips, which debuted earlier this year, offering a “giant leap” in performance.
Arm, the UK-based chip design company, has seen a surge in demand for its technology as AI applications continue to grow. The company earns revenue through licensing and royalties, providing essential chip architecture to multiple companies.
Arm CEO Rene Haas has previously noted that V9’s licensing generates twice the royalties compared to its predecessor, the V8.
iPhone 16 Series
According to media reports, the new iPhone 16 series is set to include four models: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
In terms of design, the Pro Max model will feature a larger 6.9-inch display, while the iPhone 16 Pro will have a 6.3-inch screen, slightly bigger than last year’s models.
A standout feature of the new iPhones will be the “Apple Intelligence” system, a suite of AI-driven features announced in June. Some of these features include a smarter Siri, custom emoji generation, and enhanced photo editing capabilities, aimed at improving the user experience.
Apple introduced these features during its Worldwide Developers Conference in June.
Running them efficiently requires significant advancements in chip design and technology. At present, Apple Intelligence functions optimally only on the latest iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models, powered by the A17 Pro chip built on Arm’s older V8 architecture.
Apple has indicated that it will roll out these features gradually, starting with select functionalities and expanding to additional languages and regions over time.
Another rumoured innovation is the introduction of a new Capture button for quick camera actions. This button is said to be force-sensitive, enabling users to apply different levels of pressure to trigger specific camera functions, allowing for faster and more intuitive photography.
Beyond the iPhone 16 series, Apple is expected to announce a range of new and updated products.
The Apple Watch Series 10 and Watch Ultra 3 are anticipated to make their debut, along with a refreshed version of the Apple Watch SE.
The Watch Series 10 is rumoured to offer upgraded health tracking features, while the Watch Ultra 3 is expected to cater to extreme sports enthusiasts with additional durability and performance features.
For audio enthusiasts, Apple is likely to reveal two new AirPods models, as well as the second generation of the AirPods Max. These are expected to feature improved noise-cancellation technology and longer battery life.
