Apple Plans Transition to 1.4-Nanometer Silicon in 2028
Apple is poised to transition from 2-nanometer to 1.4-nanometer silicon architecture for its premium 2028 iPhone models, as detailed in an extensive Bloomberg report regarding Apple’s future hardware roadmap. While the primary semiconductor supplier, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), will fabricate the vast majority of Apple’s forthcoming A22 Pro processors, the technology giant is reportedly contemplating enlisting Intel for supplementary manufacturing.
The Evolution of iPhone Processors
The contemporary iPhone 17 lineup currently utilizes a third-generation N3P 3-nanometer manufacturing process. However, the highly anticipated iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the inaugural foldable iPhone, slated for release in September 2026, will pioneer the implementation of next-generation 2-nanometer technology. This sophisticated 2-nanometer architecture will continue to power the 2027 iterations, paving the way for Apple to elevate specific processors to the unprecedented Apple 1.4nm chips standard by 2028.
TSMC Performance and Supply Constraints
TSMC has devoted several years to the meticulous development of 1.4-nanometer microchips. Their advanced A14 node promises to deliver a remarkable performance enhancement of up to 15 percent compared to the capabilities of the N2 2-nanometer node. Alternatively, this technological leap can yield identical performance metrics while achieving a profound 30 percent reduction in power consumption.
Every incremental reduction in node dimension inevitably incurs escalating production costs and restricted manufacturing capacity, stemming directly from the immense complexity of fabricating these cutting-edge components. Furthermore, highly potent and efficient processors from TSMC remain in voracious demand among artificial intelligence server manufacturers, such as NVIDIA. This surging enterprise demand consequentially constrains the available supply allocated for consumer electronics. During a recent earnings conference, Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook disclosed that the iPhone 17 inventory faced severe constraints because Apple struggled to procure a sufficient volume of A19 and A19 Pro chips from TSMC.
Diversifying the Supply Chain with Intel
In a strategic maneuver to robustly diversify its semiconductor supply chain, Apple is widely rumored to be forging a collaborative partnership with Intel. Although Apple historically relied upon Intel-designed processors for its Mac computers, this prospective agreement would witness Intel manufacturing bespoke Arm-based silicon completely derived from Apple’s proprietary architectural blueprints.
Prevailing speculation suggests that Intel will predominantly fabricate entry-level processors intended for devices such as the iPad and Mac. Nevertheless, Intel Chief Executive Officer Lip-Bu Tan harbors grand ambitions to comprehensively revitalize the company’s semiconductor manufacturing division by concentrating heavily on vastly superior process nodes. Intel is actively engineering its proprietary 14A node specifically for 1.4-nanometer processors, with mass production anticipated to commence in 2028. Earlier industry whispers similarly indicate that Intel might shoulder the manufacturing responsibilities for standard, non-Pro iPhone processors during that same year.
