Apple to adopt 2nm chip technology with next years iPhones, per report

Apple to adopt 2nm chip technology with next years iPhones, per report

  • 22.03.2025 17:13
  • 9to5mac.com
  • Keywords: High, Low

Apple's iPhone 18 will feature TSMC’s 2nm chips next year, promising a 15% performance boost with same power use, marking an upgrade from this year's 3nm tech.

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Estimated market influence

Apple

Apple

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: Buy

Apple is a major player in the tech industry, and their adoption of new chip technology can significantly impact the market.

TSMC

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Analyst rating: N/A

As one of the leading semiconductor manufacturers, TSMC's advancements in 2nm chips will likely boost Apple's product performance and efficiency.

Context

Analysis of Apple's Adoption of 2nm Chip Technology for iPhones

  • Key Announcement: Apple plans to adopt TSMC’s 2nm chip technology for its A20 chip in 2024, marking the first time this advanced process node will be used across all iPhone 18 models.
  • Previous Context: This year’s iPhone 17 models utilize TSMC’s third-generation 3nm process (N3P), following Apple’s initial adoption of 3nm technology in 2023 with the A17 Pro and M3 chips.
  • Performance Boost: The switch to 2nm is expected to deliver a 15% performance improvement while maintaining power efficiency, signaling a significant leap in chip architecture.
  • Yield Improvements: TSMC’s trial production for 2nm chips has achieved yields of 60-70%, with current yields now exceeding this figure.
  • Long-Term Strategy: The move to 2nm marks the beginning of a new three-year chip cycle, reinforcing Apple’s commitment to leading-edge semiconductor technology.
  • Competitive Dynamics: This adoption underscores Apple’s strategic focus on innovation and performance differentiation in the smartphone market, particularly against competitors like Samsung and Google.
  • Market Implications: The transition highlights TSMC’s dominance in advanced semiconductor manufacturing and reinforces Apple’s reliance on its supply chain for cutting-edge technology.
  • Future Considerations: While unclear whether 2026’s M6 chips for Macs will adopt 2nm tech, this move sets the stage for potential broader adoption of next-generation chip architectures across Apple’s product line.