The iPhone 18 series may still be a long way off, but new leaks suggest all four models could be in for a major performance upgrade. According to respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the upcoming iPhone 18 handsets will feature A20 chipsets built using a more advanced 2-nanometre production process.
Reiterating my prediction from six months ago: the 2H26 new iPhones (iPhone 18) will be powered by TSMC’s 2nm chips.
— 郭明錤 (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. https://t.co/ZoWXFqfUnS
Kuo initially made this prediction six months ago and reiterated his claim, suggesting that Apple is on track to make this significant technological leap. If true, this would substantially improve the current A18 chips found in iPhone 16 models, which are manufactured using a 3nm process.
What does a 2nm chipset mean for the iPhone 18?
Apple introduces faster iPhones every year, but a shift from a 3nm to a 2nm process would result in much greater performance gains than the usual incremental improvements. With more transistors packed inside the chip, the iPhone 18 would be faster and more power-efficient, enhancing both speed and battery life.
Despite the optimism around this potential upgrade, there is still some uncertainty over whether all iPhone 18 models will benefit from the 2nm technology. Kuo now seems more confident that the entire range will adopt this new chipset, but it is still possible that the upgrade could be exclusive to the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models.
Conflicting reports add to the uncertainty
Earlier this week, another industry analyst, Jeff Pu from GF Securities, reported a different take on Apple’s chipset plans. Initially, Pu suggested that the A20 processors would be based on the same 3nm process as the A18 chips. However, he later revised his prediction, stating that Apple might use a 2nm process for its next-generation silicon.
With the iPhone 18 series not expected to launch until September 2026, Apple and its supply chain partners still have time to finalise their decisions. Meanwhile, the focus will soon shift to the iPhone 17 lineup, set to be unveiled in September 2025. These devices are expected to introduce A19 processors but will likely stick to the existing 3nm process for another year.
While Apple has not officially confirmed these details, the transition to 2nm chips would represent a significant milestone for iPhone performance. As development progresses, more leaks and reports will likely provide a clearer picture of what to expect from the iPhone 18 series.
