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Apple's iPhone 18 Pro models are set to feature the advanced 2nm chip, produced by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), expected to launch in 2025.
This comes after Apple's shift in strategy with the iPhone 16 series, where they introduced two new processors, the A18 for standard models and the upgraded A18 Pro for the Pro models.
However, the 2nm chip won't be used in all iPhone 18 series models.

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Cost concerns will limit the use of 2nm chip to Pro models only

Apple to reserve 2nm chip for iPhone 18 Pro models

By Akash Pandey

Sep 19, 2024

05:59 pm

What's the story

Apple is planning to incorporate advanced 2nm processors in its next generation of iPhones, set for release in 2026. According to renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, these high-tech chips will only be included in select models of the series due to cost concerns. While Kuo did not explicitly mention the Pro series, it is widely speculated that these models will be the recipients of this cutting-edge technology.

Chip production

TSMC to launch 2nm process in 2025

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world's largest contract chipmaker, has announced plans to introduce its 2nm process in 2025. However, mass production of these processors is expected to miss the iPhone 17 Pro's launch timeline. This delay aligns with Kuo's prediction that the iPhone 17 range will utilize TSMC's next-generation N3P design based on a more advanced version of the existing N3E technology.

Twitter Post

Not all 18 series models will use 2nm chip

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…

— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) September 19, 2024

Processor allocation

Apple changed its strategy for iPhone 16 range

In the past, Apple has differentiated its smartphone lineup by equipping regular iPhones with processors from the previous year's Pro models. However, for the 2024 iPhone 16 series, Apple deviated from this trend by developing two new processors. The standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are powered by an A18 processor, while the Pro models boast an upgraded A18 Pro chip.