Rumors Surrounding Apple A20: What Will the Process Node Be?

As the tech world anticipates the next generation of Apple's iPhone chips, speculation about the A20 processor is heating up. Reports from Asia suggest varying possibilities regarding TSMC's manufacturing capabilities for this upcoming chip.

The A20 is expected to power the iPhone 18, slated for release in the fall of 2026. However, a key point of interest is the manufacturing process that Apple will employ for this processor. Initial speculation pointed towards a 2-nanometer fabrication method by TSMC, but there were rumors that Apple might stick with an enhanced 3-nanometer process, which is currently being utilized for the A19. Nevertheless, well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo from TF International Securities has indicated that Apple is likely to adopt the more advanced 2-nm process for the A20.

Kuo reported that TSMC achieved a yield rate of 60 to 70 percent for functional chips during its trial production phase a quarter ago, which has since improved significantly. There had been earlier discussions suggesting that the 2-nm process could have been introduced with the iPhone 17, but that timeline appears to be no longer feasible.

Utilizing finer manufacturing processes not only increases transistor density--allowing Apple to fit more powerful CPU cores onto the same chip area--but also reduces switching times. This enables Apple to either increase clock speeds while maintaining the same power consumption or decrease power usage without sacrificing performance. Experts believe that transitioning to a 2-nm process could yield approximately 15 percent more performance. Additionally, TSMC hopes to produce these 2-nm chips in the United States, expanding their manufacturing capabilities beyond Taiwan, although this goal may take several years to achieve.

Currently, Apple is using TSMC's second-generation 3-nanometer process (N3E) for its A18 and A18 Pro chips featured in the iPhone 16. The upcoming A19 and A19 Pro are expected to utilize a further improved version of the 3-nm process, referred to as N3P. The 2-nm process that will be used in the A20 and A20 Pro is designated as N2, representing its first generation.

In related news, reports have surfaced regarding Apple's next chip for iPads and Macs, the M5, which is already in production using the 3-nanometer process and incorporating partial 3D chip stacking technology. Apple anticipates performance enhancements, particularly for AI applications, with the M5 chip. The first device featuring the M5 might launch in the fall, with a new iPad Pro potentially debuting even earlier, following the release of the M4 iPad Pro in May 2024.