Apple recently released its iPhone 16 Pro models, which come with the company's custom 3nm A18 Pro chip. The chip's performance difference with last-generation models is negligible. Next year, the company is expected to launch the iPhone 17 Pro models with an A19 Pro chip, but based on the latest information, the SoC will be based on TSMC's 3nm architecture.
Analyst Ming-Chi states in his latest tweet that next year's iPhone 17 series will come with processors made from TSMC's enhanced N3P processors based on 3nm architecture. It was recently reported that the company is planning to shift its focus from 3nm to 2nam chips for the iPhone 17 lineup, indicating a bit of confusion. It appears that Apple will stick to its 3nm chips for a bit longer, but since the company is planning to shift TSMC's advanced N3P process, the performance gains could be significant.
If you are not familiar with the terms 2nm or 3nm technology, it refers to the chip manufacturing technology, which is different in designs and the process that it is based on. The nanometers are the size of the transistors, and the smaller they get, the better it is in terms of performance and efficiency for the device. Additionally, the smaller size also allows more of them to be packed inside a single chip.
Kuo not only shares details on the N3P 3nm chips for next year's iPhone but also claims that only some models of the iPhone 18 will jump to the 2nm bandwagon in 2026. Currently, the A18 Pro chip in the iPhone 16 Pro is based on the N3E process, which is built around efficiency in mind along with better yield, and it might be the safe route for Apple ships this year. On the flip side, TSMC's advanced N3P process will focus on the performance of devices with more or less the same efficiency levels.
Since the N3P is more complex to manufacture, we could expect the yields to be lower than the supplier's 3nm chips based on the N3E process. This could increase the price of the chips, which Apple might ultimately transfer to the end user. Take note that these are mere speculations at this point, as the final word rests with Apple.
We are sure that the N3P technology will bring major performance gains to the iPhone 17 lineup, but the 2nm chips will be where the devices will shine on the iPhone 18 lineup. We will share more details on the subject as soon as further information is available.