Apple‘s chip roadmap is already stretching several years into the future, and a new report suggests the company is preparing another major leap in silicon technology for its 2028 iPhone lineup.
According to Bloomberg, Apple plans to move from 2nm chips to 1.4nm chips in its high-end 2028 iPhones. The chips are expected to be branded as the A22 Pro, with longtime manufacturing partner TSMC producing the majority of the supply.
Interestingly, Apple is also reportedly considering Intel as an additional manufacturing partner for some of these future chips as it continues efforts to diversify its supply chain.
Apple’s roadmap from 3nm to 1.4nm
Apple’s current-generation iPhone chips are still based on TSMC’s 3nm technology.
The upcoming iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone, all expected to launch in September 2026, are said to be the first devices to adopt chips built on TSMC’s next-generation 2nm process.
That transition is expected to continue through 2027 before Apple upgrades select chips to the more advanced 1.4nm process in 2028.
The new manufacturing technology is based on TSMC’s upcoming A14 node, which has reportedly been in development for several years.
According to the report, chips produced using the A14 process could deliver up to 15% better performance compared to chips built on TSMC’s N2 2nm node. Alternatively, the same performance level could be achieved while reducing power consumption by as much as 30%.
Why smaller chips matter
Moving to smaller manufacturing nodes typically brings improvements in performance and power efficiency, but it also comes with challenges.
Each generation becomes significantly more expensive to produce, while manufacturing capacity becomes increasingly limited due to the complexity of building advanced chips.
Competition for cutting-edge silicon is also growing. TSMC’s most advanced production lines are in high demand from AI-focused companies such as NVIDIA, which has increased pressure on chip supply across the industry.
During Apple’s most recent earnings call, CEO Tim Cook revealed that iPhone 17 production had been constrained because Apple was unable to secure enough A19 and A19 Pro chips from TSMC.
Intel could play a bigger role
The report also sheds light on Apple’s ongoing efforts to reduce its reliance on a single chip manufacturer.
While Apple previously used Intel-designed processors in Macs before transitioning to Apple Silicon, the new partnership being discussed would be very different. Instead of designing the chips, Intel would manufacture Arm-based processors designed by Apple.
Current rumors suggest Intel could initially produce lower-end chips for products such as iPads and Macs. However, Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan is reportedly pushing to revitalize the company’s foundry business by focusing on advanced manufacturing technologies.
Intel is currently developing its own 14A process, which is designed for 1.4nm-class chips and is expected to enter production in 2028.
Previous reports have suggested Intel could eventually manufacture non-Pro iPhone chips beginning in 2028, potentially giving Apple another source for its future smartphone processors.
While these plans remain several years away and could still change, the report offers an early glimpse into how Apple intends to keep pushing iPhone performance and efficiency forward while strengthening its supply chain for the AI era.