In the iPhone 14 Pro Max, Apple’s self-designed chips account for more than 22 percent of the total BoM cost. In addition to the A16 Bionic processor, Apple’s self-designed chips include PMICs, audio, connectivity and touch controls, according to Counterpoint Research.
The upgrade from the A15 Bionic to the A16 Bionic chipset resulted in an $11 increase in cost, bringing the cost share of the processing group to 20 percent of the BoM.
The new main camera with 48MP image sensor and screen with always-on display feature add up to the cost.
“Application processors, displays and cameras are the main categories where costs have increased. These components now also command a large share in BoM,” said Shenghao Bai, senior analyst at Counterpoint.
Apple’s new generation of mobile processors, the A16 Bionic, includes 16 billion transistors, up 6.7 percent from the A15’s 15 billion transistors.
Due to its more advanced 4nm process, the application processor alone is estimated to have a cost increase of $11, raising the share of the processing category to 20 percent of the BoM cost.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max sports a 48MP main camera with a quad-pixel image sensor, which is 65 percent larger than the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
“The front camera has been added with an auto-focus feature, while its lens has been upgraded to 6P from the 5P present on the iPhone 13 Pro Max. GSEO and SUNY Optical are the main suppliers of front camera lenses. Together, these upgrades increase the cost of the camera category in the iPhone 14 Pro Max to $6.30,” Bai said.
Apple’s self-designed components account for a larger share in the overall BoM cost of the iPhone 14 Pro Max than the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
“Our estimates suggest that Apple’s self-designed components account for 22 percent of the total BOM cost of the iPhone 14 Pro Max,” the report said.