- Leaked details point to Apple’s standard A20 chip using TSMC’s 2nm process.
- The reported design may feature six CPU cores and a five-core GPU.
- AI hardware appears largely retained, with up to 16MB system-level cache.
The iPhone 18 is expected to use a new-generation A20 chip, and an alleged solder ball map has reportedly offered an early look at Apple‘s standard processor. The leaked details suggest a smaller design than the A20 Pro while retaining several key AI capabilities.
According to the leak, the A20 could be built using TSMC’s 2nm process with an estimated die size of 70–80mm². Apple has not officially confirmed these specifications, so the reported configuration should be treated as early information rather than final iPhone 18 hardware details.
iPhone 18 A20 Chip: Reported Specifications
- Process: TSMC 2nm
- Estimated die size: 70–80mm²
- CPU: 2 performance cores + 4 efficiency cores
- GPU: 5 cores
- Memory interface: 96-bit
- Neural Engine: Dual 16-core design
- System-level cache: Up to 16MB
- Packaging: Traditional PoP
How the A20 Could Differ From A20 Pro
The leaked configuration appears to be a scaled-down version of the A20 Pro, based on the reported core and packaging details. The standard A20 is expected to use fewer CPU and GPU resources while keeping a substantial amount of the AI hardware. This could allow Apple to retain on-device AI capabilities across the iPhone 18 range without using the full Pro-class chip design.
Also Read
What the 2nm Process Could Mean
A move to a 2nm manufacturing process would represent a new generation for Apple’s mobile silicon. Smaller process technology can provide opportunities for improved efficiency and performance, although the actual gains depend on Apple’s final chip design, power targets and thermal management. The leaked die size also remains an estimate until official hardware details are available.
A20 AI Hardware Remains a Key Focus
The reported dual 16-core Neural Engine and up to 16MB system-level cache suggest that AI processing remains an important part of the A20 design. If these details are accurate, Apple could continue expanding on-device AI features while using a more compact standard chip compared with the expected A20 Pro.
The A20 chip is also rumoured to use a 2nm TSMC process, with an estimated die size of 70-80mm². The leak points to a scaled-down A20 Pro-style design, suggesting Apple could use a similar approach in the standard iPhone 18 chip. However, these details remain part of an unconfirmed leak, and Apple has not officially confirmed the processor design or specifications.
Another part of the leak mentions a dual 16-core Neural Engine and up to 16MB of system-level cache. If accurate, the A20 chip would share several design elements with the rumoured Pro version while using a scaled-down approach. The A20 chip details are still based only on leaks, so the final specifications could change before Apple officially announces the iPhone 18.
What We Know About the iPhone 18 A20 Chip
- The A20 is expected to power at least some iPhone 18 models.
- The reported chip uses TSMC’s 2nm process.
- The leaked configuration includes six CPU cores and a five-core GPU.
- Apple has not confirmed the leaked specifications or final iPhone 18 chip lineup.
Conclusion
The leaked A20 details suggest that Apple’s standard iPhone 18 chip could use a 2nm process while retaining substantial AI hardware. However, the reported solder ball map and specifications are not official, so the final A20 configuration may differ when Apple announces the iPhone 18 lineup.
