Apple A20 Pro chip: why it’s such a big deal for the iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro Max

Apple’s forthcoming A20 Pro chip, set to debut at the company’s “Surprise and Shine” event, could be a significant architectural advancement for the iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The shift to TSMC’s 2-nanometer process promises increased throughput and thermal efficiency, crucial factors for Apple’s potential first foldable phone. However, before being hailed a game-changer, the A20 Pro must demonstrate its worth under real-world workloads.

While the A20 Pro’s performance remains speculative, it is expected to surpass the current flagship, the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which scored 4,120 in single-core and 11,850 in multi-core on Geekbench 6. The A20 Pro will need to push single-core speeds above 4,500 and multi-core scores past 13,000 to truly establish itself as the dominant leader. Such performance gains would put pressure on Qualcomm and its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, which currently leads the pack in graphics performance.

The A20 Pro’s significance extends beyond the iPhone Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The rumored stainless steel vapor chamber may provide crucial cooling, giving the iPhone 18 Pro Max an edge over competitors like the Galaxy S26 Ultra and OnePlus 15, both of which have relied on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Furthermore, the A20 Pro’s performance will be crucial for Apple’s upcoming foldable iPhone Ultra, particularly in handling demanding tasks like dynamic app scaling on a 7.8-inch display and multitasking with heavy workloads.

If Apple can ensure the A20 Pro’s power efficiency meets these demands, it could position the foldable iPhone as a legitimate desktop-class productivity powerhouse.