Speculation about Apple A20: How many nanometers will it be?

The new A20 processor will probably be in the iPhone 18, planned for autumn 2026-that much seems to be safe. However, the question is what structural width of this will have. After speculation that it would be a 2-nanometer process of the chip application, there were rumors in the meantime that Apple could Stay in the extended 3-NM processthat is also planned for the A19 this year. But that is probably not the case: the usually reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo from TF International Securities from Taiwan emphasizedthat Apple uses the more modern 2-NM process for the A20.

A19 with 3 Nm

According to his information, TSMC is said to have achieved a yielding chips of 60 to 70 percent in trial production a quarter ago. In the meantime, the so -called Yield is “clearly”. Last summer, it was briefly said that Apple could rely on the 2-NM process at the iPhone 17 this year, but apparently that no longer works.

Finerer manufacturing processes increase on the one hand the pack density-Apple can accommodate more transistors on the same chialty area, for example for stronger CPU cores. On the other hand, the switching times are shortened. Apple can either increase the clock frequencies with the same electrical power consumption or reduce the power consumption with the same performance. Around 15 percent more performance only appear realistic by changing the manufacture. The 2-NM chips are ultimately also to be produced in the USA and not only in Taiwan, one hopes at TSMC, but this can take several years.

M5 on the march – with 2 nm

In the current A18 and A18 Pro, which are in the iPhone 16, Apple relies on TSMCS 3-NM process of the second generation (N3E). With the A19 and A19 Pro (should Apple keep the division), as mentioned, it will be the further improved 3-nm process N3P. The procedure with 2 Nm in the A20 and A20 Pro is called N2 (first generation).

At the beginning of February there were reports on the next Apple chip for iPad and Mac. The M5 is said to be in production and comes in the 3-NM process with partial 3D chip stacking. Among other things, Apple hopes for performance increases in AI applications. The first computer with M5 could be released in autumn, possibly an iPad Pro with M5 beforehand. Apple presented the predecessor iPad Pro M4 in May 2024.