Yes, Yes, I know the iPhone 18 is still a long way off (we have not even seen the iPhone 17 series in the market yet), but the rumor mill is already abuzz with rumours about the future of the iPhone lineup, and take this with a bucket of salt, but we may just be treated to a chipset overhaul in the iPhone 18 lineup, which could just mean, a HUGE bump up in performance.
Respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has doubled down on a claim he made six months ago: the iPhone 18 lineup is expected to run on A20 chipsets built using an advanced 2-nanometer (nm) production process. That’s a big deal. Why? Because shrinking from 3nm (used in the current A18 chips) to 2nm means more transistors packed into the same space—resulting in faster speeds, improved efficiency, and possibly even better battery life. We all know how every new iPhone is faster than the predecessor, but this indicates a change in the overall architecture and technology of the chipsets, which means the performance won’t just be better on paper.
iPhone 17 design concepts (Source: X)
But here’s the catch: will this 2nm upgrade apply to every model in the iPhone 18 range? Kuo now seems more confident that it will, though previous reports suggested it could be reserved for the Pro and Pro Max models. Obviously, we have bee seeing that Apple is actively trying to create this clear line between the base iPhone and the Pro series and reserving the performance upgrade for the pro series could be a majot drivinr factor.
This report also lines up with recent insights from analyst Jeff Pu at GF Securities. Initially, Pu suggested the A20 chipsets would stick to a 3nm process, but he later revised his stance, acknowledging that 2nm was indeed a possibility. Even Apple itself may still be weighing its options. With the iPhone 18 series not expected until September 2026, there’s ample time for the company and its supply chain partners to refine their plans.
Of course, before we get to the iPhone 18, we still have the iPhone 17 series to look forward to in 2025. Those devices are expected to be powered by A19 chips, but they’ll likely stick with the familiar 3nm process. So while the iPhone 17 should bring solid performance gains, it’s the iPhone 18 that could truly push Apple’s silicon into uncharted territory.
If these reports are accurate, the iPhone 18 could mark a turning point in mobile processing power. Will this next-gen silicon deliver mind-blowing speed, or will Apple take a more cautious approach? We’ll have to wait and see—but one thing’s certain: the iPhone 18 is shaping up to be a serious powerhouse.
