iPhone 16 series to feature upgraded neural engine for generative AI functions: report

HIGHLIGHTS

Apple’s A18 and M4 chipsets for its forthcoming iPhones and Mac models might feature an upgraded Neural Engine.
The upgraded Neural Engine means the performance of AI/machine learning tasks will be vastly improved.
Apple CEO, Tim Cook recently hinted the brand is working on generative AI features and would share details “later this year.”

Apple is rumoured to introduce new generation A18 and M4 chipsets for its forthcoming iPhones and Mac models. These are said to feature an upgraded Neural Engine with “significantly” more cores, based on a report from the Taiwanese publication Economic Daily News. The new chipsets should find their way to products later this year.

Performance improvements with A18 and M4 chipsets

The upgraded Neural Engine means the performance of AI/machine learning tasks will be vastly improved, as per the report.
This falls in line with iOS 18 embracing new generative AI features for Siri, shortcuts, Messages, Apple Music and more.
Apple CEO, Tim Cook hintedthe brand is working on generative AI features and would share details “later this year.”
iOS 18 is expected to be announced at the WWDC 2025 conference in June

The A18 series chipset is expected to debut in iPhone 16 models in September. Earlier rumours suggested that some generative AI features could be exclusive to iPhone 16 models and the upgraded Neural Engine could be the reason. Apple has come a long way in improving the Neural Engine’s performance over the years. For reference, the A17 Pro chip features a 2x faster Neural Engine compared to the one in the iPhone 14 Pro.

On the other hand, Apple MacBook models with Apple silicon chips are equipped with a 16-core Neural Engine, with the only exceptions being the Mac Studio and the Mac Pro, which feature a 32-core Neural Engine when configured with an M1 Ultra or M2 Ultra chip. The MacBook models with M4 chip might be released in late 2024 or early 2025.

Generative AI surged in popularity in 2024, thanks to OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Brands like Google, Microsoft and others have released similar chatbots and tools.

iPhone 16 could feature a camera design similar to the iPhone X.
The design is based on an iPhone 16 prototype model being tested.
The iPhone 16’s Capture Button is also said to have focus functionality.

The iPhone 16 leaks are coming in strong, and we’re getting to know quite a lot about the upcoming devices. The latest leak reveals details about the 16 prototype model with a camera design similar to the iPhone X. There’s also new information about the 16’s ‘Capture Button’ for shortcuts to the camera. Here’s a detailed look at the iPhone 16’s latest leaks.

iPhone 16 camera design leaked

The latest prototype for the iPhone 16 series shows two vertically aligned cameras inside a pill-shaped module. The dual-camera setup will include a wide lens and an ultra-wide angle lens.
This design is, however, only for the non-Pro iPhone 16 models, as the prototype being tested isn’t for the iPhone 16 Pro models, according to a reportby MacRumors.

The iPhone 12 series did have vertically aligned rear cameras but the design on the iPhone 16 series is said to be more similar to the iPhone X. So we might just see a return of the iPhone X’s pill-shaped camera module but in a newer design.
The same design has been tipped before by reliable tipster Majin Bu who shared schematics of the iPhone 16.

iPhone 16 capture button

Apple debuted a new ‘Action Button’ on the iPhone 15 series but it’s reportedly planning to add a new Capture Button for the iPhone 16 series. A new leak on Weibo claims that the Capture Button will have the same functionality like DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.