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Verdict: The July 2024 leak was right about the big change: all four original iPhone 16 models moved to Apple’s A18 generation. But they did not all get an identical processor. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus shipped with A18, while the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max got A18 Pro.
What the iPhone 16 leak actually said
On July 2, 2024, reports based on Apple backend identifiers said that all four planned iPhone 16 models pointed to the A18 chip family. The identifiers were evidence of Apple’s product plans, not a public specification sheet or a guarantee of final retail configurations. 9to5Mac’s report on the leak described the family-wide move.
The headline phrase “all four models are getting new chips” was therefore accurate if “new” means a chip from the new A18 generation. It was easy to misread, however, as saying every phone would contain the exact same chip. The leak alone did not establish that.
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What Apple shipped
Apple announced the four original iPhone 16 models on September 9, 2024. The final processor allocation was:
#1 Best Overall
- 6.1" Screen size
- iOS Operating System
- 128 GB Flash Memory
| Model | Processor |
|---|---|
| iPhone 16 | A18 |
| iPhone 16 Plus | A18 |
| iPhone 16 Pro | A18 Pro |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | A18 Pro |
Apple’s iPhone 16 announcement and iPhone 16 Pro announcement confirmed the products; the specifications distinguish the two chips. Both are part of the A18 generation and use second-generation 3-nanometer manufacturing, but they are different configurations.
Why the change mattered: iPhone 15 versus iPhone 16
The iPhone 15 lineup had a more pronounced generation split: iPhone 15 and 15 Plus used A16 Bionic, while iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max used the newer A17 Pro. In other words, the standard iPhone 15 models launched with a processor first introduced in the prior year’s Pro phones.
Rank #2
- Titanium frame combines strength and lightness, giving the iPhone 16 Pro a premium feel while reducing weight for prolonged daily use. The polished edges and textured back enhance grip and handling, making it easier to use during long calls, gaming sessions, or when capturing photos and videos on the move.
With the iPhone 16 family, even the standard models got a new-generation A-series chip. That made the leak meaningful beyond the label: Apple no longer reserved the newest chip generation solely for its Pro phones. The iPhone 15 specifications and iPhone 15 Pro specifications document the prior split.
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A18 and A18 Pro: same generation, different capability
Apple lists both chips with a six-core CPU and a 16-core Neural Engine. The standard A18 has a five-core GPU; A18 Pro has a six-core GPU. The A18 also brought hardware-accelerated ray tracing to the standard iPhone 16 models. See Apple’s iPhone 16 technical specifications and iPhone 16 Pro technical specifications.
Rank #3
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000nits (typ), 2000nits (HBM), 2556x1179px at 460ppi, 3561mAh Battery
- 128GB 8GB RAM, Apple A18 (3nm), Hexa-core (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.20 GHz), Apple GPU 5-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide + 12MP, f/2.2, ultrawide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/34/38/39/40/41/42/48/53/66/71, 5G: n1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/53/66/70/71/75/76/77/78/79 - Dual eSIM
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint., Etc.
That extra graphics capacity is most relevant to demanding games, graphics-heavy applications, video work, and sustained workloads. For everyday tasks such as messaging, browsing, and ordinary photography, sharing the A18 generation does not mean a buyer will necessarily notice a large difference. Nor does it make the standard and Pro phones interchangeable: Pro models also have distinct camera systems, displays, and professional video features.
For standard-model buyers, the important step was moving from an older-generation processor to A18, with its newer performance platform and ray-tracing support. The Pro models retained extra graphics headroom and the broader hardware advantages of the Pro line.
Rank #4
- 6.7" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000nits (typ), 2000nits (HBM), 2556x1179px at 460ppi, 4674mAh Battery
- 128GB, 8GB RAM, Apple A18 (3nm), Hexa-core (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.20 GHz), Apple GPU 5-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide + 12MP, f/2.2, ultrawide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/34/38/39/40/41/42/48/53/66/71, 5G: n1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/53/66/70/71/75/76/77/78/79 - Dual eSIM
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Straight Talk., Etc.
Apple Intelligence was likely part of the rationale
All four original iPhone 16 models are on Apple’s hardware compatibility list for Apple Intelligence. Among the iPhone 15 generation, compatibility is limited to the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. That makes Apple Intelligence a strong likely reason for putting A18-generation silicon across the iPhone 16 range: it let Apple offer the feature on every new model rather than making buyers step up to Pro just to get a supported chip.
That is a strategic explanation, not proof that Apple publicly identified it as the sole reason for the chip decision. Hardware compatibility also does not promise that every Apple Intelligence feature is available everywhere or in every language; availability depends on software, language, and region. Check Apple’s current requirements and availability page for the latest details.
Best Value
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 90% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 365 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
What the leak did not prove
- Identical silicon: A shared A18 family did not mean one identical chip. Apple ultimately used A18 and A18 Pro.
- Final specifications: Backend identifiers did not reveal final GPU core counts, clock speeds, RAM, thermal behavior, battery life, or retail performance.
- A fifth iPhone 16 model: Some coverage speculated that another identifier might point to a future iPhone SE or another device. That was not confirmation of a fifth phone in the original iPhone 16 launch.
The later iPhone 16e, introduced in February 2025, also used an A18 variant, but it was not one of the four models discussed in the 2024 leak. Its configuration was reported to have a four-core GPU, compared with five GPU cores in the regular iPhone 16. That later addition does not establish what the extra identifier in the earlier code meant.
Bottom line for readers comparing the models
The leak accurately anticipated the key shift: unlike the iPhone 15 lineup, every original iPhone 16 model launched with a new-generation A18-family processor. It was imprecise only if read to mean every model got the same chip. Standard models received A18; Pro models received A18 Pro. The standard phones gained current-generation silicon and Apple Intelligence compatibility, while the Pro phones kept a graphics advantage and their other higher-end hardware.
As of 2026, the iPhone 16 is a previous-generation lineup, not automatically the best-value choice simply because its chip was new in 2024. Compare it with current models and prices; no current price or availability conclusion follows from the historical leak.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
