A20 and A20 Pro Chips (2nm) Expected to Debut in These iPhone Models

by

There will be two versions of the A20 chip for the iPhone 18 series, according to the latest rumor shared on the Chinese social media platform Weibo.

A20 Chip Feature 2
Apple is planning both A20 and A20 Pro chips manufactured with TSMC's latest 2nm process, according to a post today from Weibo account Mobile Phone Chip Expert, which has shared some accurate details about Apple's chip plans in the past.

The standard iPhone 18 will be equipped with the A20 chip, while the iPhone 18 Pro models and Apple's long-rumored foldable iPhone will be equipped with an A20 Pro chip, the post said. However, the post did not mention which chip the entry-level iPhone 18e or second-generation iPhone Air would use, should there be such models.

Given there were A18 and A18 Pro chips, as well as A19 and A19 Pro chips, this rumor that Apple is allegedly planning both A20 and A20 Pro chips is not very surprising. But, it still helps to set expectations for the iPhone lineup moving forward.

A20 and A20 Pro chips are expected to be the first iPhone processors manufactured with TSMC's 2nm process, whereas the A17 Pro through A19 Pro chips were all fabricated with TSMC's series of 3nm processes. This would result in greater year-over-year performance improvements and power efficiency gains for iPhones than usual.

According to a previous rumor, at least some A20 chips will have RAM integrated directly onto the same wafer as the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine, rather than being adjacent to the chip and connected via a silicon interposer. This design change may result in the chips being smaller, and it would likely contribute to improved efficiency.

Apple is expected to split up its iPhone launches starting next year.

The following new iPhone models are expected to be released in September 2026:

  • iPhone 18 Pro
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max
  • iPhone Fold

It is not entirely clear if there will be a second-generation iPhone Air, but if there is, that device would presumably also be released in September 2026.

The following models are expected to follow around March 2027:

  • iPhone 18e
  • iPhone 18

If so, the A20 Pro chip would be announced next year, and the A20 chip would follow in 2027.

Related Roundup: iPhone 18
Tag: Phone Chip Expert
Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

Apple Wallet ID Illinois

Apple Plans to Expand iPhone Driver's Licenses to These 7 U.S. States

Wednesday December 24, 2025 8:40 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
Read Full Article • 47 comments
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Next Year With These 12 New Features

Tuesday December 23, 2025 8:36 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another nine months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models. The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID Front camera in...
Read Full Article • 95 comments
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Monday December 22, 2025 8:47 am PST by
Earlier this month, Apple released iOS 26.2, following more than a month of beta testing. It is a big update, with many new features and changes for iPhones. iOS 26.2 adds a Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. Below, we have highlighted a total of eight new features. Liquid Glass Slider on Lock Screen A new slider in the Lock...
Read Full Article
maxresdefault

10 Mac Apps Worth Trying in 2026

Wednesday December 24, 2025 9:27 am PST by
2026 is almost upon us, and a new year is a good time to try out some new apps. We've rounded up 10 excellent Mac apps that are worth checking out. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Alt-Tab (Free) - Alt-Tab brings a Windows-style alt + tab thumbnail preview option to the Mac. You can see a full window preview of open apps and app windows. One Thing (Free) -...
Read Full Article • 89 comments
maxresdefault

Where's the New Apple TV?

Monday December 22, 2025 11:30 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Apple TV 4K since 2022, and 2025 was supposed to be the year that we got a refresh. There were rumors suggesting Apple would release the new Apple TV before the end of 2025, but it looks like that's not going to happen now. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said several times across 2024 and 2025 that Apple would...
Read Full Article • 168 comments
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Iridescent Search

Samsung Developing 'Wide Fold' With iPhone Fold-Like Design Ahead of Apple's 2026 Launch

Tuesday December 23, 2025 11:55 am PST by
Samsung is working on a new foldable smartphone that's wider and shorter than the models that it's released before, according to Korean news site ETNews. The "Wide Fold" will compete with Apple's iPhone Fold that's set to launch in September 2026. Samsung's existing Galaxy Z Fold7 display is 6.5 inches when closed, and 8 inches when open, with a 21:9 aspect ratio when folded and a 20:18...
Read Full Article • 86 comments
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 Brings AirPods-Like Pairing to Third-Party Devices in EU Under DMA

Monday December 22, 2025 3:20 pm PST by
The European Commission today praised the interoperability changes that Apple is introducing in iOS 26.3, once again crediting the Digital Markets Act (DMA) with bringing "new opportunities" to European users and developers. The Digital Markets Act requires Apple to provide third-party accessories with the same capabilities and access to device features that Apple's own products get. In iOS...
Read Full Article • 100 comments
iphone fold 3d print

Have a 3D Printer? You Can Make Your Own iPhone Fold Dummy

Tuesday December 23, 2025 1:31 pm PST by
Apple is working on a foldable iPhone that's set to come out in September 2026, and rumors suggest that it will have a display that's around 5.4 inches when closed and 7.6 inches when open. Exact measurements vary based on rumors, but one 3D designer has created a mockup based on what we've heard so far. On MakerWorld, a user named Subsy has uploaded a 1:1 iPhone Fold replica (via Macworld), ...
Read Full Article • 125 comments
iPhone SE Cosmopolitan Clean

Apple Discontinued These 25 Products This Year

Wednesday December 24, 2025 7:24 am PST by
With the end of 2025 near, the time has come to look back at the devices and accessories that Apple discontinued throughout the year. Most of the products that were discontinued this year were simply replaced by a new model with an updated chip. However, the iPhone SE line was entirely discontinued when the iPhone 16e launched, and the iPhone Plus line is being phased out. Below, we have...
Read Full Article • 13 comments

Top Rated Comments

now i see it Avatar
now i see it
9 weeks ago
New processors are dandy but whatever TSMC giveth, the future OS will taketh away.
This maxim has been true since the advent of personal computing.
The original slogan decades ago was, "What itel giveth, Microsoft taketh away"
i.e. .. faster new processor but slower new OS
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
joshwithachance Avatar
joshwithachance
9 weeks ago
“It is not entirely clear if there will be a second-generation iPhone Air.”

Yikes…
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
magicschoolbus Avatar
magicschoolbus
9 weeks ago
Will it have Apple Intelligence?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tyrnnsrs Avatar
tyrnnsrs
9 weeks ago
I'm not sure why it is a rumour that there would be two versions of the A20 chip when that's what they have been doing now for years now? I feel like that is just what to expect now, and it would be more newsworthy if they opted to just do one chip for the A20 line?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Taq'aix Avatar
Taq'aix
9 weeks ago
The iPhone Fold will meet the same fate as the iPhone Air, commercial failure driven by misreading market demand.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bodonnell202 Avatar
bodonnell202
9 weeks ago
This lines up with the rumors of the base iPhone 18 coming in the spring of 2027 and makes sense with the initial production of 2 nm chips being expensive and lower yield. By the time the smaller A20 is in production yields will have improved and costs will have come down. Also means that the iPhone 17 will be the base flagship iPhone for the next 18 months.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments