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For the first time in nearly a decade, Apple is mixing up how it delegates chips within the iPhone 14 lineup. The tech giant is reportedly only using its new A16 chip with the more high-end iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max models, whereas the cheaper iPhone 14 and 14 Max will use the same A15 chip as the iPhone 13 lineup.

If this rumor is true, it would be the first time since the iPhone 5 series that Apple has split up its chips between phones in the same series. Back in 2013, Apple chose to use its A7 chip for the iPhone 5S while its cheaper counterpart, the iPhone 5C, came equipped with the older A6 chip. Technically Apple has used other chip differentiation strategies in the past, but nothing to this extent in almost a decade.

This news comes from reliable leaker and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who recently tweeted about the potential differentiation between the upcoming models set to drop later this year. He declined to name which source he received these details from, but Kuo has built up a reputation as being generally trustworthy.

For now, we’re still charging ahead primarily on speculation, but our idea of what to expect with the iPhone 14 lineup is slowly becoming more clear.

Specs to Expect with the iPhone 14

A key possible change is the iPhone 14 Pro models are expected to do away with the camera notch cutout. Fans have been waiting for this upgrade for years, with some rumors indicating the phones may be instead opting for a more sleek, circular hole-punch cutout to open up the screen space.

The iPhone 14 lineup is also rumored to be splitting up the models into two different screen sizes like with the iPhone 13 phones, with the 14 and 14 Pro coming in at 6.1″ and the 14 Max and 14 Pro Max at 6.7″. If this turns out to be true, the 14 Max would be the first time Apple has dropped a larger screen iPhone without the Pro tag attached to it, and it would also represent the end of the Mini model.

Release Timeline

The general consensus has revolved around a fall release date for the iPhone 14, keeping in line with Apple’s trend of releasing their new iPhone series in the second half of the year. The iPhone 13 came out last September and the iPhone 12 was released in October 2020, so as of late we don’t have reason to expect Apple is shying away from tradition.

More rumors are coming to light by the day as we get closer and closer to the iPhone 14 lineup being finally realized, so keep your eyes peeled for what’s to come.

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Cassidy Von Musser

Cassidy is a freelance writer who specializes in finding the latest leaked news about upcoming tech products. When she isn’t studying Economics and Professional Writing at UCLA, she loves camping and trying to convince people to go thrifting with her. She can’t say no to a sale on books by her favorite authors and will search far and wide for rumored tech developments on the horizon. When Cassidy was little, she once insisted on making a shirt that read “Shopping is a sport,” and her work at Slickdeals evidences how to play at a professional level.