Apple Accidentally Reveals Details of Upcoming Chip Upgrades

A Slip-Up in the Code

Apple is known for its secrecy when it comes to unreleased products, but sometimes, even the tech giant can’t avoid accidental leaks. Recently, hidden code in macOS Sonoma 14.5 beta has revealed key details about Apple’s next-generation chips, including the M4 and possibly even the A18.

What Was Discovered?

Developers and Apple enthusiasts digging through the latest macOS beta update found references to multiple new processors, including:

• ’M4’ – Apple’s next-generation chip expected to power future Macs.
• ’A18’ – Likely the chip for the iPhone 16 series.
• New GPU variants – Suggesting significant graphics upgrades.

The findings, first reported by MacRumors and 9to5Mac, indicate that Apple is already testing these chips in its software, hinting at an imminent release.

What to Expect from the M4 Chip

While Apple hasn’t officially confirmed the M4, the leaks suggest major improvements over the M3, including:

• Enhanced AI performance – With Apple pushing more on-device AI features (possibly tied to iOS 18 and macOS 15), the M4 may include a stronger Neural Engine.
• 3nm or even 2nm process – Better efficiency and performance.
• Ray tracing & GPU upgrades – Gamers and creative pros could see big gains.

iPhone 16’s A18 Chip

The mention of the A18 in macOS code is particularly interesting because it suggests Apple is unifying its chip branding (similar to how the A17 Pro was named for the iPhone 15 Pro). Possible upgrades include:

• Better thermal management – Addressing overheating concerns from the A17 Pro.
• More AI-focused cores – Aligning with Apple’s AI ambitions.
• Performance boosts – Likely incremental but optimized for iOS 18’s features.

When Will These Chips Launch?

• M4 Macs – Likely late 2024 or early 2025, possibly starting with a new iMac or MacBook Pro.
• A18 (iPhone 16) – Expected in September 2024.

Conclusion

Apple’s accidental reveal gives us an exciting glimpse into its next-generation silicon. While we’ll have to wait for official announcements, one thing is clear: Apple is doubling down on AI and performance.