The A20 and A20 Pro chips in the iPhone 18 Pro will benefit hugely from TSMC's 2-nanometer process, but Apple will pay dearly for the performance and power consumption improvements.
Apple is widely expected to use TSMC's 2-nanometer process to produce its next generation of chips. This includes the inbound A20 and A20 Pro arriving in the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, as well as the iPhone Ultra.
There is also always an expectation of performance improvements with Apple's chips, and especially so for a die shrink. If a leaker is accurate with their claim, it could be substantial.
According to a Saturday post by Weibo leaker Fixed Focus Digital, Apple's chips will be the first to launch using the 2-nanometer TSMC process. It will also be the first to use a GAA (Gate-All-Around) process.
While previous FinFET designs wrap around a gate on three sides, GAA is a nanosheet architecture that wraps gate material on all four sides. The result is tighter control over where power flows inside the chip, minimizing wasted power.
The difference, according to the leaker's supply chain feedback, is a big boost to performance. It is claimed that the processing capability will be in the region of 18% better than previous generations.
At the same time, it will help reduce power consumption. The leaker's sources say that it will reduce by approximately 30%.
Fixed Focus Digital has a relatively mixed track record when it comes to Apple rumors, like other Weibo leakers in general. However, previous reporting on TSMC's 2-nanometer production helps their case.
A cost bump, too
While the improvements will be great for the iPhone 18 Pro, it won't necessarily be as good for Apple's budget. The leaker advises that Apple's procurement costs for the chips will increase significantly.
This is something that has previously been rumored about. Back in January, the supply chain expected for Apple to be paying as much as $280 per A20 chip, which is approximately 80% higher than the A19 equivalent.
This is also taking place amid the ongoing memory crisis, which is affecting the industry as a whole. Expectations are high for Apple to increase the cost of the iPhone 18 Pro to consumers by $250 to $300 more than the iPhone 17 Pro generation.
