Apple has just unveiled its iPhone 16 lineup with brand-new & capable A18 and A18 Pro chipsets built on TSMC’s second-gen 3nm technology. While it’s exciting to see Apple offering a new chipset for its models, many users are eagerly anticipating the transition to more advanced 2nm chips. Initially, there were expectations that Apple would launch next year’s iPhone 17 Pro models featuring TSMC’s upcoming 2-nanometer process. However, a recent report suggests a different scenario.
According to renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 17 series will utilize processors based on TSMC’s enhanced N3P 3-nanometer chip technology. Only some iPhone 18 models in 2026 are expected to feature TSMC’s next-generation 2nm processor technology due to cost concerns.
The processors for 2025 iPhone 17 models will be made by TSMC's N3P process/3-nanometer technology. The processor for 2026 iPhone 18 models is anticipated to use TSMC's 2-nanometer technology. However, due to cost concerns, not all new iPhone 18 models may be equipped with a…— Ming-Chi Kuo (@mingchikuo) September 19, 2024
You might wonder if this is a significant development. Well, it is! The terms “3nm” and “2nm” refer to generations of chip manufacturing technology, each with its own architecture. As the number decreases, it indicates smaller transistor sizes, allowing more transistors to be packed onto a single chip. This leads to increased processing speed and power efficiency of devices.
Apple embraced 3nm technology for its iPhones and Macs last year. The iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and M3 Macs are all based on TSMC’s 3nm chip fabrication process. The latest iPhone 16 models utilize a second-generation 3-nanometer process, making them more power-efficient and faster than the iPhone 15 models.
In late 2025, TSMC is likely to commence 2nm chip manufacturing, and Apple is expected to be the first to receive these advanced chips. The Taiwanese chipmaker is developing two new facilities for 2nm chip production and is already working on a third. This indicates that TSMC has ambitious plans for its 2nm technology. In 2023, Apple secured all of TSMC’s initial 3nm chip production for its iPhones, iPads, and Macs, allowing Apple to stay ahead of competitors by incorporating cutting-edge semiconductor technology into its products.
As the 2nm chip production is set for late 2025, TSMC will likely introduce several enhancements to its 2nm fabrication process. The N3E and N3P chips, based on enhanced 3nm processes, are now available, and several others, like N3X for high-performance computing and N3AE for automotive applications, are already in development.
It’s important to note that while the iPhone 18 will be the first to feature 2nm chips, not the entire lineup will include a 2nm A-series SoC due to anticipated costs. The iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to utilize these upcoming 2nm chips, while the standard models will rely on advanced 3nm technology.
In summary, Apple's iPhone 16 lineup showcases impressive advancements with the A18 and A18 Pro chipsets, built on TSMC's 3nm technology. Looking forward, the transition to 2nm chips in future models reveals Apple's commitment to evolving its technology while navigating the challenges of production costs.
