Apple’s 2028 iPhone Pro lineup could deliver a significant improvement in power efficiency thanks to advances in chip manufacturing technology.
Apple is expected to adopt a 1.4nm manufacturing process for the A22 Pro chip, moving beyond the 2nm technology slated for earlier iPhone generations.
The transition would allow the chip to deliver more performance while using less power, a combination that could have a noticeable impact on battery life.
TSMC has previously indicated that its 1.4nm process can provide up to a 30% reduction in power consumption at the same performance level.
If those projections hold, future iPhone Pro models could achieve longer battery life without requiring larger batteries.
While performance gains are also expected, efficiency may prove to be the more meaningful benefit for users.
Improvements at the chip level allow Apple to extend battery life while maintaining existing device designs and capabilities.
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The report also highlights a potential role for Intel in Apple’s future supply chain. Although Apple transitioned away from Intel processors in its Mac lineup in 2020, the company is reportedly evaluating Intel’s manufacturing services as part of a broader effort to diversify production beyond TSMC.
Under the reported scenario, TSMC would continue to produce Apple’s most advanced chips, while Intel could manufacture certain processors for lower-volume or less-demanding products.
No agreement has been announced, and Apple’s long-term manufacturing plans remain subject to change.
The supply chain discussion comes as demand for advanced semiconductor production continues to grow.
Major technology companies developing AI infrastructure are competing for access to the same cutting-edge manufacturing capacity used to produce smartphone processors.
Before reaching 1.4nm, Apple is expected to move its Pro chips to a 2nm process beginning with future iPhone generations.
The transition to 1.4nm would represent the next major step in Apple’s chip roadmap and is currently expected to arrive in 2028.
In addition to efficiency improvements, TSMC has projected performance gains of up to 15% compared with equivalent 2nm designs.
Apple typically balances both performance and power efficiency when designing its A-series processors, making it likely that future chips will target improvements in both areas.
