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15 and 15 Pro both had USB-C. The 15 pro just has USB3 capable USB-C (15 regular was USB2 only). Seems like they're keeping that differentiation, which I suppos

15 and 15 Pro both had USB-C. The 15 pro just has USB3 capable USB-C (15 regular was USB2 only). Seems like they're keeping that differentiation, which I suppose makes sense given the USB3 PHY is a considerable die cost.

jsheard 2y ago
> USB3 PHY is a considerable die cost Is it actually a different die though? The A18 and A18 Pro are so close in specs, with the same 6 CPU cores, same 16 NPU cores and only 5 vs. 6 GPU cores that I would guess that they are the very same die just with one GPU cluster and USB3 switched off in the non-Pro version.
- Kirby64 2y ago
  On the 15 series it was since they used different chip generations. No idea on the new 16 series, we’ll have to wait for die shots from teardown groups.
  - deleted 2y ago
    [deleted]
- dagmx 2y ago
  In the presentation they said they’re separate dies with different features available on the Pro, that aren’t on the base SoC.
- brookst 2y ago
  Yes, different dies. The Pro also has a more advanced NPU and massively more IO bandwidth to process 4K120 video.
- Aaargh20318 2y ago
  They mentioned the Pro also has a larger CPU cache.
- nabla9 2y ago
  A18 Pro is also faster. Typically the speed and 5 vs 6 core difference would use the same die and selecting Pro chips during testing. Chips that tolerate heat better become pro-model chips. The rumor was that they are different dies. It seems strange because both are made with the same 2nd generation 3nm architecture.
ars 2y ago
Do people really transfer enough data over USB on a phone for it to matter?
- Kirby64 2y ago
  If you’re using the phone to shoot ProRes video, it uses something absurd like 1GB/min of video… so, offloading that video via USB2 would be agonizing.
- musictubes 2y ago
  Some of the video modes are only available if you record directly to external media. 4k HDR ProRes 120fps isn’t going to transfer real time over usb 2.
- steve_adams_86 2y ago
  I record video for hours at a time and use this feature heavily. I love it.

jsheard 2y ago

> USB3 PHY is a considerable die cost Is it actually a different die though? The A18 and A18 Pro are so close in specs, with the same 6 CPU cores, same 16 NPU cores and only 5 vs. 6 GPU cores that I would guess that they are the very same die just with one GPU cluster and USB3 switched off in the non-Pro version.

Kirby64 2y ago
On the 15 series it was since they used different chip generations. No idea on the new 16 series, we’ll have to wait for die shots from teardown groups.
- deleted 2y ago
  [deleted]
dagmx 2y ago
In the presentation they said they’re separate dies with different features available on the Pro, that aren’t on the base SoC.
brookst 2y ago
Yes, different dies. The Pro also has a more advanced NPU and massively more IO bandwidth to process 4K120 video.
Aaargh20318 2y ago
They mentioned the Pro also has a larger CPU cache.
nabla9 2y ago
A18 Pro is also faster. Typically the speed and 5 vs 6 core difference would use the same die and selecting Pro chips during testing. Chips that tolerate heat better become pro-model chips. The rumor was that they are different dies. It seems strange because both are made with the same 2nd generation 3nm architecture.

ars 2y ago

Do people really transfer enough data over USB on a phone for it to matter?

Kirby64 2y ago
If you’re using the phone to shoot ProRes video, it uses something absurd like 1GB/min of video… so, offloading that video via USB2 would be agonizing.
musictubes 2y ago
Some of the video modes are only available if you record directly to external media. 4k HDR ProRes 120fps isn’t going to transfer real time over usb 2.
steve_adams_86 2y ago
I record video for hours at a time and use this feature heavily. I love it.