These new chips are expected to power the iPhone 18 series and Apple’s first foldable iPhone, scheduled for release in September 2026.

Standard variants such as the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e may launch later, around March 2027.

Leaks from the Weibo account “Mobile Phone Chip Expert” – a moderately reliable source with a history of accurate predictions – suggest that the A20 Pro will debut first, with the standard A20 following a few months later.

This release strategy allows Apple to better manage production costs and chip supply while TSMC scales up its 2nm output.

By staggering the launch cycle, Apple can create two major “iPhone moments” annually – sustaining media attention while effectively distributing product lines.

The A20 chip marks the transition from TSMC’s 3nm technology (introduced with the A17 Pro) to 2nm – a critical upgrade.

Smaller transistors mean higher performance, reduced heat, and lower power consumption within the same physical space.

For users, this translates to longer battery life and faster responsiveness, especially in AI-heavy, graphics-intensive, and imaging tasks.

Notably, Apple’s chip development team is reportedly experimenting with a “RAM-on-wafer” design, where RAM is placed directly on the same wafer as the CPU and GPU rather than on a separate layer.

This architecture reduces latency, shrinks chip size, and enhances power efficiency – similar to the unified memory approach in Apple’s M-series Mac chips.

Thinner, cooler, faster iPhones ahead

Thanks to the 2nm process and the new design, Apple could redesign iPhones to be slimmer while maintaining exceptional performance.

With the same battery capacity, devices could last longer and generate less heat – a key advantage in the era of “Apple Intelligence,” where AI models and image recognition features run constantly in the background.

Improved thermal systems will also enable iPhones to power brighter displays and advanced camera systems without overheating – an issue that plagued some recent models.

These advances could eventually allow Apple to reduce battery size in ultra-light models like the future iPhone Air without sacrificing usage time.

In short, the 2nm chip opens the door to thinner, lighter, more user-friendly iPhones while maintaining Apple’s lead in smartphone performance.

Apple’s 2nm transition aligns with TSMC’s production schedule – the world’s largest chip manufacturer plans to begin mass production of 2nm chips by late 2025, positioning Apple as the first commercial customer to adopt the process by mid-2026.

The 2nm process is expected to deliver a 10–15% performance increase and up to 30% higher energy efficiency compared to current 3nm technology.

This advantage helps Apple stay ahead of competitors like Qualcomm and MediaTek, whose Android chips often lag a generation behind in performance-per-watt efficiency.

Hype meets hardware reality

Despite the promise, industry experts urge caution with early rumors.

Integrating RAM directly onto the wafer is a bold move that may initially be limited to high-end models.

Thermal management and yield issues during production could also pose significant challenges.

However, Apple has a proven track record of pioneering deep hardware-software integration.

From its first A-series chips to the transition to Apple Silicon in Macs, the company has consistently favored vertically integrated, fully optimized design over modular architecture used by competitors.

The A20 chip continues that philosophy.

Another key reason Apple is developing the A20 Pro is to support its first foldable iPhone – a product that demands exceptional power efficiency and flexible performance across multiple displays.

If all goes according to plan, the foldable iPhone could launch in 2026, powered by the A20 Pro – just as the iPhone X introduced Face ID and OLED displays.

Flexible screen technologies and new materials Apple is testing will also depend heavily on the energy-saving capabilities of the 2nm chip.

If everything unfolds as expected, the A20 and A20 Pro chips will represent Apple’s next silicon milestone – smaller, faster, and cooler than ever.

With them, users can expect a new generation of lighter, more powerful, and longer-lasting iPhones, kicking off Apple’s 2nm era.

Hai Phong