 "Apple is perhaps the only smartphone that comes with a 3nm SoC. The closest that Android has are SoCs made using the 4nm process. However that has not stopped Apple from designing processors that use an even smaller, 2nm fabrication process")
Launched late last year, the iPhone 15 Pro models have impressed users with their ability to seamlessly handle AAA gaming titles featuring high-end graphics, a feat that remains unmatched by Android smartphones powered by the 4nm Qualcomm Snapdragon SoC.
In the competitive world of smartphone technology, Apple continues to push the boundaries with its latest advancements in processor design. The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max have emerged as the frontrunners in the market, boasting processors crafted using the cutting-edge 3nm fabrication process.
This technological leap offers a host of benefits, allowing for the integration of more components, thereby enhancing features and significantly improving power efficiency.
However, Apple’s drive for innovation doesn’t stop there, as recent reports suggest that the tech giant has already embarked on designing processors using an even smaller 2nm fabrication process.
A revealing report by gamma0burst sheds light on Apple’s secretive endeavours, uncovering a confidential document outlining the commencement of work on the next-generation 2nm SoCs.
While details regarding the timeline for deployment and targeted devices remain under wraps, industry experts speculate that these advancements could find their way into future iPhone models, capitalizing on the reputation of Apple’s current-day iPhones for housing the most power-efficient mobile chipsets.
Furthermore, Apple’s forward-thinking approach extends to its upcoming releases. The latest insights indicate that Apple is poised to introduce a 3nm processor, potentially named the A18 and A18 Pro, for its eagerly anticipated iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max models.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsLeaked benchmarks have already hinted at superior performance compared to current models, with expectations for their release in the third quarter of this year. Additionally, reports suggest that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is gearing up to commence 2nm chip production by 2025, raising the possibility of these cutting-edge processors featuring in the subsequent iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Meanwhile, the leaked documents also provide a glimpse into Qualcomm’s endeavours in the realm of processor development. Qualcomm is reportedly hard at work on 3nm and 4nm platforms for its extended reality (XR) and virtual reality (VR) SoCs, aiming to stay competitive against Apple’s Vision Pro and M2 chips built on the 5nm process.
However, Qualcomm’s efforts to catch up with Apple’s advancements remain a work in progress. While Apple sets its sights on 2nm silicon, Qualcomm is actively exploring partnerships with industry leaders such as Samsung and TSMC to strategize its Snapdragon Gen 5 platform.
With the current Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor utilizing a 4nm process, Qualcomm aims to bridge the gap by transitioning to a 3nm process with the next Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 generation.