The iPhone 18 will doubtless look rather a lot like earlier iPhones, however may pack some large inner modifications.
When Apple releases its iPhone 18 lineup, the fashions will transfer to utilizing a brand new two-nanometer processor from Taiwan Semiconductor, in accordance with one distinguished analyst.
The present iPhone 16 makes use of a 3nm A18 processor, with the Professional fashions utilizing an A18 Professional processor. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo initially printed his prediction in September of 2024, believing that the iPhone 17 — anticipated in fall 2025 — will use an improved 3nm chip dubbed the A19.
He added on the time that the next-generation 2nm chips can be prepared in time for less than the high-end iPhone 18 Professional launch, which ought to come within the fall of 2026. Different analysts have been extra assured the chip can be used throughout the lineup.
Because of the sturdy check yields of the forthcoming 2nm chips, Kuo is now on board with the concept that they are going to be used all through the iPhone 18 lineup. He reported that TSMC’s yields on the 2nm chip are above the 60-70 p.c vary, in accordance a brand new tweet posted on March 22. He famous that the yields hit these benchmarks three months in the past, these yields at the moment are “nicely above that.”
Reiterating my prediction from six months in the past: the 2H26 new iPhones (iPhone 18) can be powered by TSMC’s 2nm chips.
Value noting, TSMC’s 2nm R&D trial yields reached 60-70% three months in the past, they usually’re now nicely above that. https://t.co/ZoWXFqfUnS
— (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) March 22, 2025
Adjustments for the iPhone 17 and iPhone 18
Whereas the chipmakers are centered on 2026’s iPhone 18 lineup, Apple and its clients are eagerly awaiting the debut of the iPhone 17. Rumors recommend that Apple will drop the concept of an iPhone 17 Plus in favor of introducing a notably thinner mannequin, doubtlessly to be referred to as the iPhone 17 Slim.
This new mannequin would doubtless use the identical chip because the common iPhone 17, which is predicted to be powered by the A19 chip. Along with the efficiency increase of the brand new chip, Apple has additionally been searching for to make use of sooner RAM within the subsequent iPhone.
Carrying out this is able to additionally assist enhance the responsiveness and efficiency of Apple Intelligence.
Cosmetically, Apple has additionally been stated to be attempting to create a bezel-free iPhone. It has come shut with the present iPhone 16, however the iPhone 17 could achieve lowering the present bezel to near-zero in dimension.
As well as, Apple could use the chance introduced by the brand new iPhone mannequin to alter up the suppliers of the digicam sensor. Samsung has been reported to be lobbying onerous for the chance to produce sensors for the iPhone.
When the iPhone 18 debuts, analysts count on the smaller die dimension of the 2nm A20 may translate to a ten to fifteen p.c increase in efficiency over the iPhone 17, whereas additionally lowering vitality necessities. If true, the latter characteristic may result in higher battery life for the iPhone 18 line.
