iPhone 17: Newer 3nm Technology Expected for A19 and A19 Pro Chips - MacRumors
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iPhone 17: Newer 3nm Technology Expected for A19 and A19 Pro Chips

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Apple's next-generation A19 chip for the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air and A19 Pro chip for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will be manufactured with TSMC's latest, third-generation 3nm process called "N3P," analyst Jeff Pu said today, in a broader tech-related research note with Hong Kong-based investment bank Haitong.

iPhone 17 Pro Max Smaller Notch Feature
The current A18 and A18 Pro chips for the iPhone 16 lineup are manufactured with TSMC's second-generation 3nm process "N3E," while the A17 Pro chip in the iPhone 15 Pro models is manufactured with TSMC's first-generation 3nm process "N3B."

"N3P" is considered a process "shrink" compared to N3E, meaning that chips manufactured with the newer process will have increased transistor density. While this comes as no surprise, it means that next year's iPhone 17 models should have modestly improved performance and power efficiency compared to iPhone 16 models.

Previous reports indicated that TSMC would begin mass production of chips built with the N3P process in the second half of 2024.

In 2026, Apple is expected to use TSMC's first 2nm process for A20 chips in iPhone 18 models.

Related Roundup: iPhone 17
Tag: Jeff Pu
Buyer's Guide: iPhone 17 (Neutral)
Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

Aluminum213 Avatar
Aluminum213
18 months ago
Just looking at my iPhone 16 pro max makes me sick to my stomach
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AF_APPLETALK Avatar
AF_APPLETALK
18 months ago
Omg returning my 16 Pro Max 2 TB and waiting until next year!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
G
goonie4life9
18 months ago
That's right, everybody, it's time to get excited for the BEST, MOST powerful iPhone chips that Apple has EVER released in an iPhone! And Apple didn't stop there! These are the FIRST EVER chips built WITH Apple Intelligence BUILT IN! These are truly the pro chips for pros!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bradman83 Avatar
bradman83
18 months ago
The N3E process the A18 and M4 are based on isn't really a performance or efficiency gain over N3B (A17 and M3), it actually has less transistor density and removes some more advanced lithography features. But because it's a slightly simpler process it has a much lower defect rate and is overall much cheaper and easier to produce. The A18 and M4's performance gains come mostly from architectural improvements, including moving from version 8 to version 9 of the ARM ISA.

N3P, the successor to N3E, is supposed to come with both performance and efficiency bumps, so this should make the A19 and M5 worthy successors to the A18 and M4 even if Apple doesn't make as many architectural revisions.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
R
Removebeforeflight
18 months ago
Let‘s hope, Taiwan still exists in the near future..
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
klasma
18 months ago

Thin or not, I need something done with the infamous Dynamic Island
If we’re lucky they’ll make it 3 nm as well.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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