Tech News

iPhone Fold and iPhone 18 Pro to Feature Faster Mobile Data with A20 Chip and New Apple Modem

Highlights

The iPhone Fold and iPhone 18 Pro will debut Apple’s first 2nm A20 chip, offering improved performance and efficiency.
This advanced chip may extend to all iPhone models by 2026, with MacBook Pro and Vision Pro also expected to adopt it.
Apple’s new in-house C2 modem will bring faster mobile data and mmWave 5G support, addressing past limitations of the C1 and C1X chips.

A representative image of the future iPhone fold. (Image credit – 9to5Mac)

Apple hasn’t even begun shipping the iPhone 17 lineup, but leaks are already pointing toward next year’s devices. A new report reveals what to expect from the iPhone Fold and iPhone 18 Pro, including details on the A20 chip and a faster in-house Apple modem. Here’s what we know.

A20 Chip Built on 2nm Process

The upcoming iPhone Fold and iPhone 18 Pro are expected to debut with the A20 chip, Apple’s first processor based on the 2-nanometer process. Currently, the iPhone 17 series uses TSMC’s 3nm chips, but Apple is widely expected to move to 2nm technology in 2026.

According to Taiwan’s Commercial Times (via 9to5Mac), the MacBook Pro and Vision Pro will also be next in line to adopt the 2nm processors after the iPhone lineup.

“Next year, the iPhone 18 will adopt the A20 chip, which is made by TSMC’s latest 2-nanometer process, and with WMCM advanced packaging. The supply chain reveals that the M6 chip used in the [MacBook Pro] and the R2 chip of Vision Pro are also expected to follow,” the report says.

Initially, it was unclear if the smaller process would be limited to the Pro models. However, a report earlier this year suggested that all iPhone models in 2026 could receive the 2nm chip. Apple is reportedly leading the way in advanced chip design with recent reports even pointing to attempts to steal its cutting-edge technology.

New C2 Modem Promises Faster Data Speeds

Caption – Apple’s current C1 chipset underperforms. (Image credit – Apple)

Alongside the A20 chip, the new iPhones will reportedly feature a C2 Apple modem designed to deliver faster mobile data. Apple’s current C1 chip underperformed compared to Qualcomm’s modems, raising concerns about data speeds on models like the iPhone Air. To address this, Apple introduced the C1X variant, which the company claimed was “up to” twice as fast as the C1.

However, both the C1 and C1X lacked support for mmWave 5G.

The Commercial Times now reports that the C2 modem will add mmWave support, unlocking access to the fastest mobile data standards. The publication notes that this upgrade will be reserved for “high-end models,” meaning it may only be available on the iPhone Fold and iPhone 18 Pro.

Beyond faster data speeds, the iPhone 18 Pro is rumoured to feature in-display Face ID, eliminating the Dynamic Island in favour of a punch-hole front camera. Meanwhile, the iPhone Fold is expected to take a different approach, integrating Touch ID into the side button for biometric security.

FAQs

Q1. What is Apple’s A20 chip, and which devices will feature it?

Answer. The A20 chip is Apple’s first processor built on the 2-nanometer process, promising improved performance and efficiency. It’s expected to debut in the iPhone Fold and iPhone 18 Pro, with future adoption in MacBook Pro and Vision Pro devices.

Q2. How will the new C2 modem improve mobile data speeds?

Answer. Apple’s C2 modem adds support for mmWave 5G, enabling significantly faster mobile data compared to previous C1 and C1X chips. This upgrade is likely reserved for high-end models like the iPhone Fold and iPhone 18 Pro.

Q3. What biometric changes are coming to the iPhone Fold and iPhone 18 Pro?

Answer. The iPhone 18 Pro may introduce in-display Face ID with a punch-hole camera, removing the Dynamic Island. Meanwhile, the iPhone Fold is expected to feature Touch ID integrated into the side button for secure authentication.