Next year's iPhone 17 series will feature processors made using TSMC's enhanced N3P 3-nanometer chip technology, but only iPhone 18

Phone 17 lineup will be powered by processors fabricated using TSMC's enhanced N3P 3-nanometer chip technology.

According to new pre-order analysis from Ming Chi-Kuo, Apple is facing less demand for iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max than expected. iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus have had more sales compared to last years iPhones, though.

Apple is rumored to have been working on its own 5G modem for iPhones since 2018, but the first version of the chip might lack mmWave support.

A new report from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that only certain models of the 2026 iPhone 18 range — presumably the Pro editions — will get 2nm processors.

The processors for 2025 iPhone 17 models will be made by TSMC’s N3P process/3-nanometer technology. The processor for 2026 iPhone 18 models is anticipated to use TSMC’s 2-nanometer technology. However, due to cost concerns, not all new iPhone 18 models may be equipped with a 2-nanometer processor.

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) may have just announced the iPhone 16, but analysts are already focusing on the next iterations of the iPhone. And one analyst says the iPhone 18 could see further bifurcation amid cost concerns.

According to Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 17 may feature TSMC's enhanced N3P 3-nanometer chip tech. 2026's iPhone 18 Pro models may support the new 2nm processor.

The company will be using a third-generation 3nm process for next year's iPhone, with 2nm chips to follow a year later.