Apple A20 to miss out on TSMC's cutting-edge 2 nm node in 2026

There have been multiple rumours about Apple's 2026-bound A20 chip that will power the iPhone 18, with a wild one claiming Intel Foundry could manufacture it. However, Apple is unlikely to switch to 18A on such short notice, given its deep ties with TSMC. 9to5Mac now has new information about the A20 that might disappoint a few hardcore Apple fans.

Contrary to an earlier report which said the Apple A20 would be manufactured on TSMC's cutting-edge N2 node, it will stick to N3P, the same node used by the A19 due to launch later this year. However, the A20 will use TSMC's coveted CoWoS (Chip on Wafer on Substrate) packaging to differentiate itself from its predecessor.

TSMC's roadmap says its 2 nm node should enter mass production sometime in H2, 2025, in time to churn out Apple A20s for the iPhone 18. Even the Apple M5 for iPad Pros will stick with N3P, likely due to increased wafer costs. N2 is, after all, TSMC's first node that will use Nanosheets (gate-all-around) tech, resulting in a measurable increase in performance, efficiency and thermals.