Η Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC), took a leap in technology in 2023, being the first company to launch a smartphone with a 3nm application processor (AP), the A17 Pro. TSMC, a leading chipset manufacturer, is leading the way in transistor miniaturization, bringing significant improvements in power and energy efficiency.
This year, the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max will be powered by the A18 Pro, while the 16 and 16 Plus will feature the A18 Bionic, both built on TSMC's 3nm process.
Nevertheless, rumors circulating earlier this year talked about the adoption of 2nm chipsets by Apple in iPhone 17. Specifically, the A19 Pro and A19 Bionic they would power the iPhone 17 series, marking another leap in technology.
However, new information from Vietnamese indie developer Nguyen Phi Hung is coming to shed light on the case. According to Hung, mass production of 2nm chipsets by TSMC will be delayed until the second half of 2026. This means that TSMC will not be ready to supply Apple with the necessary chipsets in time for the iPhone 17 launch in 2025.
If this information is correct, then it is possible that the iPhone 17 series will retain the 3nm chipsets, with the 2nm making their debut with the A20 Pro and A20 Bionic in the iPhone 18.
This leaves open the possibility that Samsung's Galaxy S26 series could be the first to adopt 2nm chipsets if Qualcomm secures access to TSMC's technology earlier.
However, it is worth noting that Qualcomm has just released its first 3nm Snapdragon AP, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. Therefore, the company might hesitate to adopt the 2nm technology immediately, considering the cost.
In conclusion, the adoption of 2nm chipsets in the iPhone 17 seems uncertain. TSMC's delay raises questions about which smartphone lineup will be the first to adopt the new technology.
Only time will tell if Apple will maintain its lead or if Samsung will overtake it in the race for the most powerful and energy efficient smartphones.
