The iPhone 20 is anticipated to be the first device to utilize TSMC’s newly announced A14 process node, which operates at an impressive 1.4nm scale. This smaller process node is significant in semiconductor manufacturing, as it allows for smaller transistors, enabling more of them to fit into a compact integrated circuit. A higher transistor count translates to enhanced power and energy efficiency, driving advancements in chip performance.
Typically, leading foundries like TSMC and Samsung introduce new process nodes every two to three years, with TSMC expected to start mass production of its 2nm process chips soon. TSMC is shifting to advanced Gate-all-around (GAA) transistors with its upcoming processes, designed to minimize voltage leakage and improve drive current. This transformation is expected to yield chips that deliver superior performance while consuming less energy.
Recent historical context reveals the evolution of TSMC’s chips, starting with the iPhone 11 using the 7nm A13 Bionic, and progressing to the A16 Bionic at 4nm in the iPhone 15, which contains about 16 billion transistors. According to TSMC’s announcements, the A14 node promises a 15% improvement in speed at comparable power levels versus the N2 process, or a 30% reduction in power consumption without losing speed. The anticipated production for A14 is slated for 2028, suggesting that the iPhone 20 could incorporate this new application processor—referred to as the A22—if all goes according to schedule.
However, potential developments may alter these predictions, and the timeline remains subject to change as the semiconductor landscape evolves over the coming years.