Will Apple silicon evolve to a 2nm process in the iPhone 18, improving not only performance but also battery life?
Ming-Chi Kuo, an industry analyst familiar with Apple-related leaks, predicts that Apple will use an SoC manufactured using
Future 2nm chip will boost battery life, speed in iPhone 18
https://appleinsider.com/articles/25/03/22/all-iphone-18-models-rumored-to-get-speed-boost-from-2nm-chips
At the time of writing, the latest iPhone 16 series models use the A18 for the iPhone 16/16 Plus/16e and the A18 Pro for the iPhone 16 Pro/16 Pro Max. Both the A18 and A18 Pro are SoCs manufactured using TSMC's 3nm process, and the iPhone 17 series, scheduled for release around fall 2025, is expected to use SoCs manufactured using TSMC's 3nm process, just like the A18.
According to Kuo, the A20 to be installed in the iPhone 18 scheduled to be released in 2026 will be manufactured using TSMC's next-generation manufacturing process node, the 2nm process. Kuo said, 'I repeat my prediction from six months ago that the new iPhone (iPhone 18) to be released in the second half of 2026 will use TSMC's 2nm chips. What is noteworthy is that the yield of TSMC's 2nm research and development (R&D) trial reached 60-70% three months ago and is now well above that.'
Reiterating my prediction from six months ago: the 2H26 new iPhones (iPhone 18) will be powered by TSMC's 2nm chips.
https://t.co/ZoWXFqfUnS — Ming-Chi Kuo (@mingchikuo) March 22, 2025
Worth noting, TSMC's 2nm R&D trial yields reached 60–70% three months ago, and they're now well above that.
Kuo cited TSMC's 2nm process, which is currently in the research and development stage, having good test yields (60-70%) as the reason why the 2nm process will be used to manufacture SoCs in the 2026 iPhone 18 series.
The A20 family manufactured using the 2nm process in the iPhone 18 will have a smaller die size than SoCs manufactured using the conventional 3nm process, which is expected to improve performance by 10-15% and reduce energy requirements compared to the iPhone 17. This means that the iPhone 18 series is expected to not only improve performance but also extend battery life.
In addition, the iPhone 17 series, which will be released in 2025, is expected to have an ultra-thin Air model instead of the Plus model. This Air model is expected to be equipped with the same A19 chip as the iPhone 17, and AppleInsider points out that it will be equipped with a SoC with lower specifications than the Pro model.
In addition, Apple is reportedly exploring increasing memory (RAM) capacity and bandwidth for the iPhone 17. By increasing RAM capacity and bandwidth, Apple aims to improve the responsiveness and performance of Apple Intelligence. Apple plans to release an 'evolved Siri' for Apple Intelligence in 2026.
Apple confirms that the release of Apple Intelligence's 'evolved Siri' has been delayed to 2026 - GIGAZINE
Apple uses a 48-megapixel sensor made by Sony for the ultra-wide-angle camera of the iPhone 16 Pro, but it has been pointed out that for the ultra-wide-angle camera sensor of the iPhone 18 Pro, Apple may switch the camera sensor supplier from Sony to Samsung.
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