Apple’s next-generation A20 chip line is shaping up to be one of its biggest leaps in performance and design. According to a reliable Weibo leak, Apple is preparing two new chips, the A20 and A20 Pro, and the latter is expected to power the company’s first foldable iPhone. The leak suggests Apple will stay with its two-tier chip approach that began with the A17, A18, and A19 series, but this time the jump could be far greater.
The A20 Pro chip will reportedly be built on TSMC’s new 2nm process, marking Apple’s first major move beyond 3nm technology. This shift means faster speeds, cooler operation, and better battery life across devices. The standard A20 chip is tipped for the base iPhone 18 models, while the A20 Pro will drive the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, and the upcoming foldable model expected in 2026.
Apple’s foldable iPhone is rumored to feature a flexible OLED display with minimal crease, unfolding into a tablet-sized screen similar to an iPad Mini. The A20 Pro’s efficiency will be crucial for this design, managing both multitasking and energy demands while keeping heat under control.
The 2nm transition could deliver up to 15% more power and as much as 30% higher energy efficiency compared to current 3nm chips. Apple is also experimenting with a RAM-on-wafer layout that integrates memory directly onto the processor. This would shrink chip size, cut latency, and boost thermal efficiency, giving Apple another hardware advantage.
Reports suggest the iPhone 18 Pro lineup and foldable model will launch in September 2026, with standard versions like the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e arriving a few months later. The staggered release could help Apple stretch excitement across multiple events while managing chip supply and production costs.
The move to 2nm technology also paves the way for thinner, lighter, and longer-lasting iPhones. Better efficiency means more room for Apple Intelligence features, which rely heavily on on-device AI performance. For users, that could mean faster image processing, more responsive Siri interactions, and improved real-time translation capabilities.
Pricing will be another major factor. The foldable iPhone could cost around 2000 dollars, close to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7. However, Apple’s combination of custom silicon and software optimization could make its first foldable device feel smoother, faster, and more premium than any rival.
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