We’re simply weeks away from Apple unveiling its iPhone 17 lineup, however a brand new report corroborates prior indications that subsequent yr’s iPhone 18 fashions are due for an particularly sturdy efficiency enhance due to improvements with the A20 chip.
A20 chip in iPhone 18 will deliver new packaging course of for larger positive factors
Immediately Ming-Chi Kuo has printed a brand new report on Everlasting Supplies securing a packaging order from TSMC for subsequent yr’s iPhones and high-end M5 MacBooks.
Essentially the most noteworthy element includes why Everlasting gained the contract, which includes the processor packaging change that’s taking place with subsequent yr’s A20 chip.
In 2H26, the iPhone 18’s A20 processor packaging will shift from InFO to WMCM (Wafer-level Multi-Chip Module). WMCM makes use of MUF (Molding Underfill), which integrates underfill and molding processes, decreasing materials consumption and course of steps to enhance yield and effectivity.
What does any of that imply? Nice query.
Happily, my colleague Marcus already defined it nicely earlier this summer time when one other analyst shared comparable expectations:
WMCM permits completely different elements, just like the SoC and DRAM, to be built-in straight on the wafer degree, earlier than being diced into particular person chips.
It makes use of a way that connects the dies without having an interposer or substrate, which may deliver each thermal and sign integrity advantages.
In different phrases, Apple’s next-gen chip gained’t simply be smaller and extra power-efficient due to N2. It’ll even be bodily nearer to its onboard reminiscence, enabling higher efficiency and doubtlessly decrease energy consumption for duties like AI processing and high-end gaming.
The iPhone 18 line’s new A20 chip will reportedly have two huge enhancements:
- Constructed with a 2nm course of for the primary time
- And utilizing WMCM for much more enchancment
These anticipated upgrades to efficiency will little question be nicely fitted to AI duties, which customers ought to hopefully have much more of by subsequent fall.
Along with the rising recognition of AI merchandise like ChatGPT, there’s additionally a model new, extra highly effective Siri reportedly launching subsequent spring.
So whereas present iPhones could seem a lot quick for present wants, the iPhone 18’s A20 chip ought to set customers up nicely for an AI-saturated future.
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