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Here's our best guess iPhone 17 Pro Max — all the rumors so far Forget the iPhone 17 — next year's iPhone 18 due for huge performance boost Scott Younker 12 August 2025 New architecture and processes When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Future) Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 17 series in less than a month, but I may skip it for the iPhone 18 thanks to a new report from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In his latest missive, the supply chain analyst claims that the A20 chip being made for next year’s iPhone will see a massive upgrade. The report is about the company, Eternal Materials, securing a packaging order from TSMC that would see it working on the iPhone 18 lineup and M5 MacBooks. Importantly, Eternal Materials won the contract with TSMC as part of several changes happening with the A20 chip. “In 2H26, the iPhone 18’s A20 processor packaging will shift from InFO to WMCM (Wafer-level Multi-Chip Module). WMCM uses MUF (Molding Underfill), which integrates underfill and molding processes, reducing material consumption and process steps to improve yield and efficiency,” Kuo explains. You may like iPhone 17 rumor claims the base model could miss a key performance upgrade Forget the iPhone 17 Air for a moment — these are the 5 most exciting rumors about the other iPhone 17 models iPhone 17 rumors — everything we know so far Why is this important? (Image credit: BGR) WMCM enables the integration of multiple components in the same packaging. This means Apple can have more complex systems where the iPhone’s CPU, GPU, DRAM, and other parts are on the same package, which can be stacked vertically or side by side. This arrangement is supposed to be more flexible. On a basic level, the A20 should be both smaller and more power-efficient. This should physically place it closer to the physical memory of the device, which will optimize performance and possibly lower power consumption. This aligns with previous reports about Apple using TSMC’s 2nm process on the A20. Between the new architecture and the 2nm process, it means the iPhone 18 is in for some big improvements. Current rumors suggest only the Pro models will get the 2nm chipsets. Sign up to get the BEST of Tom's Guide direct to your inbox. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Kuo doesn’t mention, but it looks like every iPhone 18 will get the new WMCM packaging. Presumably, this boost will make Apple Intelligence tasks perform better. Apple should have improved its AI process by next fall. A version of Siri 2.0 is supposed to launch in early 2026. The iPhone 17 should still be a good phone (Image credit: Future) The iPhone 17 won’t be a slouch. It is rumored to be bbuilt on a new generation of TSMC’s 3nm process. So it should be more powerful than the current A18 Pro in the iPhone 16 Pro models. Apple is expected to reveal the iPhone 17 in September during its next big event. We should also see new Apple Watches and potentially updated Apple AirPods Pro 3. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button. More from Tom's Guide Apple iPhone 17 event — rumored date and all the new products expected to launch New Siri will reportedly let you voice control your iPhone apps — this could change everything watchOS 26: How to enable Automatic Volume Adjustments on the Apple Watch Today’sMacBook deals Apple 13" MacBook Air M4 (2025) See all prices Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M4 (2024) $1,299View See all prices Apple 15" MacBook Air M4 (2025) $1,599View See all prices Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M4 (2024) $1,699View See all prices Apple Macbook Air (M1 2020) See all prices We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices See more Phones News Scott Younker Social Links Navigation West Coast Reporter Scott Younker is the West Coast Reporter at Tom’s Guide. He covers all the lastest tech news. He’s been involved in tech since 2011 at various outlets and is on an ongoing hunt to build the easiest to use home media system. When not writing about the latest devices, you are more than welcome to discuss board games or disc golf with him. He also handles all the Connections coverage on Tom's Guide and has been playing the addictive NYT game since it released. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. iPhone 17 rumor claims the base model could miss a key performance upgrade Forget the iPhone 17 Air for a moment — these are the 5 most exciting rumors about the other iPhone 17 models iPhone 17 rumors — everything we know so far Forget iPhone 17 Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro could fix the biggest display issue — and it could look a lot like an Android phone Forget iPhone 17 — iPhone 18 tipped to hide Face ID below the screen When is the iPhone 17 release? 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I've spotted 11 epic shoe deals on New Balance, Hoka, On and more Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE review: Not like this VR headsets could become a tool for pain management, study finds Forget Verizon — one of my favorite cheap carriers is bringing back family plans Tom's Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. Terms and conditions Contact Future's experts Privacy policy Cookies policy Accessibility Statement Advertise with us Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Please login or signup to comment Please wait...