iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and Fold likely to be powered by Apple A20 using breakthrough 2nm tech

Apple is planning a major change in the way it builds chips for its iPhones, and the impact could be huge. In a research note with equity research firm GF Securities this week, Apple analyst Jeff Pu claimed that the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and Apple's first foldable phone — possibly called the iPhone 18 Fold — will all be powered by a brand-new A20 chip. What makes this chip special is that it is expected to be made using TSMC's second-generation 2nm technology, which will be the most advanced in the smartphone world when it arrives in 2026.advertisementRight now, Apple's latest iPhones use chips built on the 3nm process, like the A18 Pro in the iPhone 16 Pro. Moving to 2nm means the chip will be even smaller and more power-efficient, which could lead to better battery life and smoother performance. But the real game-changer lies in how this chip will be assembled.Apple to use new chip packaging tech for first time on iPhoneThe A20 chip won't just be powerful because of the 2nm process. Apple is also said to use a new chip packaging technique called WMCM, or Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module. While that might sound too technical, here's a simple way to understand it:
Think of a chip as a tiny brain, and memory (RAM) as its workspace. In most phones today, these parts are connected using a small "bridge" — like a tiny road. But in this new packaging method, Apple will place the chip and memory closer together, right at the wafer level, without using that road or bridge at all.advertisementThis closer connection can help the chip work faster and use less power, especially for tasks that need quick memory access — like AI, image processing, and high-end games. It is similar to how in a kitchen, if everything you need is within reach, you work faster and more efficiently.TSMC already preparing for large-scale productionBehind the scenes, Apple's chip partner TSMC is getting ready to build these new A20 chips using WMCM, according to Pu. The company is setting up a dedicated production line and expects to start producing up to 50,000 wafers per month by late 2026. That number could more than double in 2027 as more devices adopt this tech. For your reference, a wafer is a thin, round slice of semiconductor material (usually silicon) on which thousands of tiny chips are made. Apple's move to this new packaging also shows how quickly smartphone chips are catching up with high-end computer chips used in data centres and AI servers.Foldable iPhone could become a hardware testbedInterestingly, Apple is not just limiting this new chip to the Pro models. The iPhone 18 Fold, which will be Apple's first foldable iPhone, is also expected to come with the A20 chip. This suggests Apple sees its foldable not just as a fancy new design, but also as a serious performer with cutting-edge hardware inside.advertisementOverall, this change in chip design could bring major improvements to speed, efficiency, and even heat management. For everyday users, that could mean longer battery life, faster app launches, and better handling of AI features — all without needing a bigger battery or thicker phone.However, Apple hasn't confirmed any of this officially. But, with the iPhone 18 lineup still more than a year away, these early reports already give us a hint at how Apple is planning to stay ahead in the smartphone race.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Business Standard

2 hours ago

• Business Standard

Meity on alert to find Indian data in global breach; asks Cert-In to probe

Taking cognizance of an alleged global data breach, the Union government is taking steps to identify the quantum of Indian data in it, it is learnt. In what is being considered one of the biggest breaches globally, user names, passwords, and other sensitive personal information of around 16 billion digital accounts were leaked recently. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) has asked the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (Cert-In) to seek an appropriate response from intermediaries, data centres, corporate bodies, and government organisations on the Indian data present in the global data leak and report back with details. 'Given the proportion of the global leak, it is very likely that the data of Indian citizens might be on the dataset,'' an official said. Cert-In is looking into it, he pointed out, adding that Indian firms too will have to look into it and report according to cyber incidents norms. Earlier this week, media reports suggested that data of nearly 16 billion accounts of Apple, Facebook, Google, GitHub, Telegram, and various government services were leaked. A Cybernews researcher team, led by Vilius Petkauskas, found, through an investigation beginning in January 2025, that the new records were scattered across 30 different databases and were most likely stolen by various infostealers. 'The datasets that the team uncovered differ widely. For example, the smallest, named after malicious software, had over 16 million records. Meanwhile, the largest one, most likely related to the Portuguese-speaking population, had over 3.5 billion records. On average, one dataset with exposed credentials had 550 million records,' Cybernews said in a report. Emails sent to Apple, Meta, Google and Microsoft did not yield any response on whether they had sent any instructions to users on the alleged breach, and if data of Indian users was also found in the said breach. 'While the exact nature of these leaks remains unclear as investigations unfold, the critical takeaway for users and enterprises alike is unequivocal: reactive password resets are no longer enough. Proactive adoption of strong multi-factor authentication (MFA), particularly biometric verification, is now essential. It creates a critical layer of security that stolen credentials alone cannot compromise,' said Vijender Yadav, co-founder and chief executive officer of cybersecurity firm Accops. In 2022, Meity had issued comprehensive guidelines on the timelines by which any cyber incidents would have to be reported to Cert-In, along with the details of the nature of the attack, the systems, the quantum of data compromised, and whether the users had been informed about the compromise of the datasets. As per the norms then issued, the ministry had also mandated that all companies should maintain a 180-day rolling log of all of their information technology and computer systems and keep that data within India. As and when demanded by Cert-In, this data would have to be furnished in cases of cyber incidents.

Mint

4 hours ago

• Mint

Apple sued by shareholders for allegedly overstating AI progress

(Reuters) -Apple was sued on Friday by shareholders in a proposed securities fraud class action that accused it of downplaying how long it needed to integrate advanced artificial intelligence into its Siri voice assistant, hurting iPhone sales and its stock price. The complaint covers shareholders who suffered potentially hundreds of billions of dollars of losses in the year ending June 9, when Apple introduced several features and aesthetic improvements for its products but kept AI changes modest. Apple did not immediately respond to requests for comment. CEO Tim Cook, Chief Financial Officer Kevan Parekh and former CFO Luca Maestri are also defendants in the lawsuit filed in San Francisco federal court. Shareholders led by Eric Tucker said that at its June 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple led them to believe AI would be a key driver of iPhone 16 devices, when it launched Apple Intelligence to make Siri more powerful and user-friendly. But they said the Cupertino, California-based company lacked a functional prototype of AI-based Siri features, and could not reasonably believe the features would ever be ready for iPhone 16s. Shareholders said the truth began to emerge on March 7 when Apple delayed some Siri upgrades to 2026, and continued through this year's Worldwide Developers Conference on June 9 when Apple's assessment of its AI progress disappointed analysts. Apple shares have lost nearly one-fourth of their value since their December 26, 2024 record high, wiping out approximately $900 billion of market value. The case is Tucker v. Apple Inc et al, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 25-05197. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Mark Porter and Rod Nickel)

Time of India

4 hours ago

• Time of India

iPhones, iPads, Android smartphones and tablets sold in Europe get six new labels, here's what they mean for buyers

Starting June 20, 2025, the European Union has introduced new regulations requiring all smartphones and tablets sold within its borders to meet sustainability standards and display detailed energy labels at the point of sale. This initiative, a part of the EU's Green Deal, aims to reduce electronic waste, extend device lifespans, and empower consumers to make environmentally conscious purchasing decisions. The new rules mandate that devices carry standardized energy labels, prominently displaying scores for key attributes such as battery life, durability, and repairability. These labels, designed to be clear and consumer-friendly, include: * Energy Efficiency Class: Rated from A to G, indicating the device's power efficiency. * Battery Life per Charge: Expressed in hours and minutes for real-world usage. * Battery Longevity: Measured in charge cycles, with a minimum requirement of retaining 80% capacity after 800 full cycles. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo * Repairability Score: Graded from A to E, reflecting ease of repair and access to spare parts. * Drop Resistance Rating: Indicating the device's durability against physical damage. * Ingress Protection Score: Assessing resistance to dust and water. Each label also features a QR code linking to the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL), where consumers can access detailed technical specifications and compare environmental performance across models. The regulations align closely with practices already adopted by industry leaders like Apple. Most iPhones receive software updates for over five years, and Apple provides official repair services, a self-service repair program, and access to genuine parts for out-of-warranty devices. However, the EU's requirements introduce stricter formalities, particularly regarding battery performance and spare parts availability. Under the new rules, batteries must retain at least 80% of their original capacity after 800 charge cycles, a standard that may require manufacturers like Apple to adapt their testing to comply with the EU's framework. While Apple publishes battery specifications online, formal compliance with the EU's testing protocols could necessitate additional adjustments. Furthermore, manufacturers are now obligated to provide key spare parts for seven years after the last unit of a model is sold in the EU—a mandate that slightly exceeds Apple's current support timeline of five to seven years. The EU's push for sustainability is expected to influence global manufacturing standards, as companies adjust to meet the bloc's rigorous requirements. Environmental groups have praised the move, citing its potential to curb the 14 million tons of electronic waste generated annually in the EU. However, some industry analysts warn that compliance costs could lead to higher device prices, particularly for budget models. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now