A recent leak has disclosed information about several next-generation chips that Apple plans to introduce in forthcoming iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and HomePod mini models.
Last month, a YouTuber in China published a video—complete with English subtitles—showcasing what is purportedly an iPhone 16 engineering prototype from the previous year. According to a tip from MacRumors, the device operates on a non-UI internal build of iOS 18 dated March 2024, which prevents access to the Home Screen and other user interfaces.
The leaks detail the following chips:
– **A19 chip** for the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, and potentially the iPhone 17e.
– **A19 Pro chip** for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
– **M5 chip** intended for the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac, iPad Pro, and Vision Pro.
– **M5 Pro chip** for the MacBook Pro and Mac mini.
– **S11 chip** for the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3.
– **C2 modem** possibly designated for the iPhone 17e and potentially the entire iPhone 18 lineup.
– **Proxima**, an innovative Apple-designed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, aimed at the next generation of Apple TV and HomePod mini models.
Within the internal iOS 18 code, multiple codenames and designations for these upcoming Apple chips have been identified. While most are expected to be one numerical step above their predecessors, the Proxima chip stands out as particularly intriguing. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman first reported on Proxima last year, indicating it would feature in new Apple TV and HomePod mini models set to launch later this year. He also anticipates that select iPhone 17 models will utilize the chip, along with future iPad and Mac iterations starting next year.
This move parallels Apple’s previous transitions away from Intel for their Mac processors and Qualcomm for iPhone modems. The upcoming Wi-Fi and Bluetooth combination chip aims to replace one currently supplied by Broadcom and is expected to support Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7, offering enhanced connectivity options for the Apple TV (currently utilizing Wi-Fi 6) and HomePod mini (which operates on Wi-Fi 4).
Additionally, the tipster revealed that Apple has been testing a Mac Pro equipped with an M3 Ultra chip, although the timeline for its release remains uncertain. There is also evidence suggesting that Apple will not produce an M4 Ultra chip, which the company had strongly indicated, meaning the Mac Pro may not receive an update until the M5 Ultra chip is ready for launch.
