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iPhone Fold and iPhone 18 Pro Models Set to Debut A20 Pro Chip

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Apple's foldable iPhone will share the same next-generation A20 Pro chip as the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models when it debuts this September, according to industry analyst Jeff Pu.

Apple-Foldable-Thumb.jpg

In his latest investor note, Pu outlined the projected specifications for all three premium devices that will take center stage this fall, with the regular iPhone 18 and more affordable iPhone 18e models not expected to debut until spring 2027 as part of Apple's new split-launch strategy.

Powered by the A20 Pro chip, the iPhone Fold and iPhone 18 Pro models will showcase TSMC's new 2nm process, N2, boasting performance improvements that could be up to 15 percent faster and 30 percent more efficient than A19 chips.

Moreover, the A20 Pro chips will be packaged with TSMC's Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module (WMCM) technology. With WMCM, the chips will have RAM integrated directly onto the same wafter as the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine, rather than the RAM being adjacent to the chip and connected via silicon interposer.

The update to WMCM is expected to bring faster performance for Apple Intelligence and longer battery life, while also cutting down on the size of the A20 chip to allow more space inside the iPhone for other components. This packaging change for the A20 chip has been rumored previously.

N2 also introduces new super-high-performance metal-insulator-metal (SHPMIM) capacitors into the chip's power delivery system. These capacitors more than double the capacitance density of the previous generation and reduce both sheet resistance and via resistance by 50 percent. Together, the changes are said to improve power stability, boost performance, and enhance energy efficiency.

Pu's note outlined other specs that the Pro and Fold models are expected to share, including 12GB of LPD5 RAM, 48-megapixel rear cameras, and Apple's C2 modem.

Apple's first foldable ‌iPhone‌ is rumored to feature a wide, book-style folding design with a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch outer display, a crease-free screen, Touch ID, and a front-facing camera in both folded and unfolded states. The device could measure just 4.5mm thick when opened, and between 9mm and 9.5mm when closed. For more details, see our dedicated foldable iPhone roundup.

Article Link: iPhone Fold and iPhone 18 Pro Models Set to Debut A20 Pro Chip
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/01/16/foldable-iphone-a20-pro-chip-performance/
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123 said:
It will also be 1.3 kg, and the A20 performance is extremely important for Apple Intelligence Google will provide remotely.
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I admit I won’t buy since I just got the 17 pro


I am extremely intrigued how they have managed to iron out ( pun intended) that infamous crease no one can put up with. Obviously android users are a different breed 😂😂
 
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MRSugarD said:
TSMC's new 2nm process, N2, boasting performance improvements that could be up to 15 percent faster and 30 percent more efficient than A19 chips.

I think it is either up to 15% faster OR 30% more power efficient but not both at the same time.
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You can never compare the two things at once. Comparing efficiency means to measure how much energy it costs to deliver the same performance.
If the top performance is different, you just can't make that comparison. So, this sentence can only mean "it goes 15% faster at top speed and, when delivering the same performance as the old one, it's 30% more efficient.
Edit:
You may make a comparison between the maximum consumption but that's not called efficiency. And it says very little about the CPU, since it's established almost arbitrarily, according to how much you want the battery to last or the phone to get hot when stressing the CPU. Usually, it's supposed to be around the same, or you're just limiting the new CPU's top performance a bit.
 
Bring back Fusion name and give us more CPU and GPU core why so GREEDY cook almost decade CPU same core
 
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Can macrumors please stop using seasons to describe when things are expected. Whilst I know your USA based It’s incredibly frustrating for those not in the northern hemisphere. Months would be ideal or even quarters, ie second quarter of 2027.
 
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Nyx1 said:
Bring back Fusion name and give us more CPU and GPU core why so GREEDY cook almost decade CPU same core
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A19 Pro has 4.5X better single thread performance and 7.5X multi-core performance than a decade old iPhone 7 with A10 Fusion (comparing Geekbench 6 numbers, but you'll see the same difference reflected in other tasks).

So greedy, Tim! Why aren't your engineers breaking the laws of physics to give us more, MORE!

I NEED MOAR TIM! 😂
 
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Skolz01 said:
Can macrumors please stop using seasons to describe when things are expected. Whilst I know your USA based It’s incredibly frustrating for those not in the northern hemisphere. Months would be ideal or even quarters, ie second quarter of 2027.
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I feel your pain, speaking as a Canadian that wishes reported prices displayed currency, or Amazon links mentioned "US Only". Not everyone lives in the US.

Now to keep on-topic with the article... isn't it incredible just how freaking sophisticated the SoC is getting? I'd love to know how much Apple engineers directly contribute to the advancement of the chip technology, or when we reach the limits of silicon, rendering the name "Apple silicon" obsolete. 😃
 
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Theory: the iPhone 17 is now so close to the Pro line that future spec bumps will not increase sales.

The reason there will be no iPhone 18 launch in September is because there is no iPhone 18.

Instead Apple will just bump the price of the 17 Pro down to $949 whilst keeping the 17 at $799 for another year to combat rising costs.

Come 2027 the 17 Pro will then become $899 and take the place of the base models which will be permanently written out of the equation.

The 18e in 2027 will gain the 0.5x from the iPhone 12 (12mpx, no autofocus).
 
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So they're gonna release the cheap Macbook laptop with an ancient iPhone chip then? Where is this cheap Macbook - 2026 is almost over.
 
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N0ughtsAndCr0sses said:
I admit I won’t buy since I just got the 17 pro


I am extremely intrigued how they have managed to iron out ( pun intended) that infamous crease no one can put up with. Obviously android users are a different breed 😂😂
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…Creaseless foldable OLEDs were covered during CES 2026. It's not an Apple-exclusive technology and was always inevitable
 
MacRumors said:
Powered by the A20 Pro chip, the iPhone Fold and iPhone 18 Pro models will showcase TSMC's new 2nm process, N2, boasting performance improvements that could be up to 15 percent faster and 30 percent more efficient than A19 chips.
Click to expand...
Everyone has different priorities, but I would like to see that chip efficiency translating to a smaller battery.
 
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antonrg said:
Can I just enjoy my iPhone 17 please? I JUST got it. 😂
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The world can't revolve around your release cadence (not any of us individually).

Apple supports their phones for a long time, so upgrade when it's convenient for you unless you have sunk costs to upgrade due to your profession or unique needs to upgrade with every release.

Apple has a dedicated plan for such users such as creatives/devs such as myself.
 
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lilkwarrior said:
The world can't revolve around your release cadence (not any of us individually).

Apple supports their phones for a long time, so upgrade when it's convenient for you unless you have sunk costs to upgrade due to your profession or unique needs to upgrade with every release.

Apple has a dedicated plan for such users such as creatives/devs such as myself.
Click to expand...
It was joke... lighten up
 
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Radon87000 said:
As a Galaxy Fold user for years now, great to see Apple acknowledge the foldable form factor.
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Apple’s said nothing yet. These are all just rumours so far.
MayaUser said:
For most of us, we need to see the software part...we know Apple on hardware is on top
But on this we need more than just iOS on the big screen like first ipad was. We need ipadOS itself on the inner display
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Don’t worry, I’m sure they’ll drip feed iPadOS features over the first 10 years as “groundbreaking innovations”.
 
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And the sky is blue.. what would be REALLY interesting is if Apple put an M class chip in the iPhone fold.
 
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This sounds good for my yearly upgrade but definitely will be passing on the folding gimmick .
 
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