Apple's chip roadmap apparently extends to 2028 – and will lead to another major manufacturing leap. According to a report, this year's high-end iPhones will switch from 2-nanometer to 1.4-nanometer technology. TSMC is expected to manufacture the majority of these A22 Pro chips, but Apple is apparently considering a second supplier.
The information comes from a Bloomberg report by Mark Gurman and fits into Apple's long-term chip strategy. Currently, the iPhone 17 models still use a third-generation N3P 3-nanometer process. The next step will be taken by the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max , as well as the foldable iPhone expected in September 2026, which are slated to be the first devices to receive a chip manufactured using a 2-nanometer process. The transition to 1.4 nanometers would then follow in 2028 – a move that raises a question that extends far beyond Apple.
The jump from 2 to 1.4 nanometers
According to the report, the 2027 chips will also be manufactured using the 2-nanometer process. Only with the high-end models of 2028 would Apple upgrade some of the chips to 1.4 nanometers – specifically the A22 Pro. This suggests a clear progression: 3 nanometers for the current iPhone 17, 2 nanometers for the iPhone 18 Pro and subsequent models, and finally 1.4 nanometers as the next step for the most powerful devices.
What the smaller structure is supposed to achieve
TSMC has been working on its 1.4-nanometer manufacturing process for several years. According to the company, the corresponding A14 node should deliver up to 15 percent more performance than chips on the current 2-nanometer N2 node. Alternatively, the same performance could be achieved with approximately 30 percent less power consumption. Both options would be interesting for an iPhone, as they could result in either increased speed or longer battery life.
More expensive, scarcer, and fiercely contested
However, every step towards a smaller feature size brings higher production costs and limited capacity, because the most advanced chips are particularly difficult to manufacture. This is exacerbated by the enormous demand: High-performance and efficient TSMC chips are highly sought after by AI server manufacturers like Nvidia, whose chips Apple recently even wanted to integrate into its own AI infrastructure. This leaves less manufacturing capacity available for end devices.
The reality of this bottleneck was recently demonstrated: During the latest earnings presentation, Apple CEO Tim Cook explained that iPhone 17 models were limited in the quarter because Apple was unable to source enough A19 and A19 Pro chips from TSMC. Apple's reliance on a single manufacturer for its most advanced nodes thus becomes a strategic risk – similar to the costly yield optimization in chip production, where every usable chip counts.
Apple is looking for a second manufacturer
Against this backdrop, Apple wants to diversify its chip supply chain. Rumors suggest the company is working with Intel to achieve this. While Apple previously used Intel's own chips in Macs, under the new agreement Intel would manufacture Arm-based chips according to Apple's designs.
Recent rumors suggest that Intel might initially manufacture simpler chips for devices like the iPad and Mac. However, Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan wants to revitalize the company's manufacturing business through more advanced nodes. To this end, Intel is developing the 14A node for 1.4-nanometer chips, which is slated to enter production in 2028. Previous reports indicate that Intel could take over chip production for non-Pro iPhones starting in 2028.
Apple's chip roadmap becomes a supply chain issue
Should the information prove accurate, 2028 will be about more than just a faster processor. The switch to 1.4 nanometers will be a key factor in determining how much of a performance and efficiency advantage Apple can gain – and how dependent the company remains on a single contract manufacturer. Until then, however, the roadmap is a snapshot in time and could still change depending on the availability of state-of-the-art manufacturing technology. (Image: Shutterstock / Pham Minh Son)
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