According to the well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuothe next iPhone 17 will be powered by processors built using TSMC’s advanced 3-nanometer (N3P) technology, but the real breakthroughs will come with the iPhone 18 Pro in 2026, thanks to the introduction of 2-nanometer chips. However, there are significant cost issues to consider, which could slow down this transition.
When we talk about “3nm” and “2nm,” we are referring to generations of chip manufacturing technologies. As the number gets smaller, it means that the transistors inside the chips are smaller, which allows more of them to be packed onto a single chip. This leads to a increased processing speed and greater energy efficiency. In short, more power and less consumption.
In 2023, Apple took the first major step in adopting 3-nanometer chips for its devices, such as the iPhone 15 Pro and Macs equipped with M3 chips. These chips marked a leap from the previous 5nm technology, bringing higher performance and more optimized power consumption.
With the release of the iPhone 16, Apple introduced the A18, a chip based on an improved version of the 3nm process. Compared to the A16 Bionic in the iPhone 15, the A18 promises further reduction in power consumption and increased performance. This makes the iPhone 16 an even more powerful and, at the same time, more energy efficient device.
Verso i chip a 2nm
TSMC, Apple’s trusted supplier for its chips, has already planned the start of 2-nanometer chip production by the end of 2025. And as usual, Apple will be the first company to receive these new technologies, which will be implemented in the top-of-the-range devices, probably with the iPhone 18 Pro in 2026.
To meet growing demand, TSMC is building two new factories dedicated to producing 2nm chips and seeking approval for a third. This multibillion-dollar investment represents a major bet on the future of semiconductor technology, with Apple as a key partner.
Apple e TSMC
Apple and TSMC have one of the strongest partnerships in the tech industry. It’s no secret that Apple is TSMC’s largest customer, which often grants it priority access to cutting-edge technology. For example, in 2023 Apple purchased TSMC’s entire first 3nm chip production, reserving the technology exclusively for its iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
Between 3nm and 2nm chips, TSMC will introduce several improved versions, such as the N3E and N3P chips, designed to offer ever-higher performance. But the real revolution will come with 2nm, a sea change in computing power and efficiency.
Rumor
Source: www.iphoneitalia.com
