Apple's A20 Pro To Break A 13-Year Convention With The 96-Bit LPDDR6, But Pinches Pennies On The iPhone 18 Pro Duo's NAND As A Counter

The A20 Pro chip within the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max is reportedly departing from the 64-bit bandwidth that Apple has used for 13 years now.

The A20 Pro chip, set to power the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, will utilize the 96-bit LPDDR6, a departure from Apple's 13-year use of 64-bit bandwidth. This change is expected to increase memory bandwidth by 50%, with the new chip offering speeds of up to 10,666 Mbps. Apple's decision to adopt the 96-bit LPDDR6 is likely driven by the need for improved performance in demanding tasks such as video editing and gaming. The A20 Pro chip is scheduled to be manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).

The use of the 96-bit LPDDR6 in the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will directly impact the price of these devices, with estimates suggesting an increase of up to $100 per unit due to the higher cost of the new memory technology. This price increase will be passed on to consumers, affecting the overall cost of the devices. The increased cost may also lead to a shift in the market, with some consumers opting for lower-end models or alternative devices. As a result, the average selling price of the iPhone is expected to rise by 5-7%.

The adoption of the 96-bit LPDDR6 is part of a larger trend in the tech industry, with companies such as Samsung and Huawei also investing in the development of high-bandwidth memory technologies. The use of 96-bit LPDDR6 in the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max follows the introduction of this technology in high-end Android devices, marking a significant shift in the mobile market. Insiders note that the development of the A20 Pro chip began over two years ago, with Apple working closely with TSMC to bring the new technology to market. This collaboration has enabled Apple to stay ahead of the curve in terms of memory technology.

On September 12, Apple is expected to announce the official release date of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, with pre-orders set to begin shortly after. The devices are expected to be available in stores by the end of September, with prices starting at $1,099 for the base model. Interestingly, despite the increased cost of the 96-bit LPDDR6, Apple has opted to use a lower-grade NAND storage in the iPhone 18 Pro Duo, a decision that may impact the device's overall performance and storage capacity, potentially affecting up to 20% of users who rely heavily on storage-intensive applications.