Iphone 18 Revolution: Next-Gen Chipset Arrives with a Sticker Shock Price Hike

Next-Generation 2nm Chipsets on the Horizon for Apple’s iPhone 18 Lineup

The tech world is buzzing with rumors about the next big thing, and this time it’s about Apple’s iPhone 18 lineup. According to a recent report, the tech giant is set to use the next-generation 2nm manufacturing process for its A20 chipset, expected to power the iPhone 18 series. And, as you might expect, this leap to the next generation of chipsets comes with a price tag.

What’s in a name?

First, let’s clarify what nm actually stands for. It’s a measure of the length of an individual transistor gate, which forms the basic part of a processor. The more gates you can fit onto a chip, the more processing power is within reach. The term "nanometer" itself is now more of a marketing term than a literal measurement.

The Rumors

So, what does this mean for your wallet? Apple is reportedly the first to adopt the 2nm chipset, produced by TSMC, which has yet to achieve mass production of 2nm chips. This means a potential price hike for consumers. According to rumors, the price of the application processor fitted to the iPhone 18 could rise from $50 to $85 – an increase of 70%. That’s a substantial jump, which could be passed on to customers if Apple isn’t willing to absorb the cost. This would be the first increase in the launch price of any iPhone since the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

The Next Generation of Chipsets

The report notes that the production plan for the A20 chipset, expected to power the iPhone 18 series, has been finalized. The 2nm A20 chipsets will, as always, be produced by TSMC. And, with the first chipsets to use this next-generation production process, we’d expect to see major performance improvements. But, will these changes come with a price tag? Only time will tell.

Early Mover Advantage

Apple has a history of early adoption for next-generation chipsets – the iPhone XS and XS Max, for instance, were the first 7nm phones on the market, as was the iPhone 12 lineup for 5nm chipsets. The company was quick to incorporate 4nm and 3nm chipsets in subsequent iPhone generations. Will this trend continue with the iPhone 18 lineup?

What’s Next?

We don’t expect any official confirmation about the iPhone 18 lineup until late 2026, but be sure to stay up-to-date with our iPhone coverage for the latest updates. In the meantime, the tech world is abuzz with rumors, and we’ll be keeping a close eye on developments.

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